Naturopathy

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale)

genus
Common name
Plant parts used medicinally

We mostly know rhubarb from the supermarket.

genus

Knotweed

Common name

Chinese rhubarb

Plant description

The home of the medicinal rhubarb is China. Today it is also cultivated in Europe. Most of the drug, however, comes from wild 5 to 10 year old plants.

The roots are strong, with numerous secondary roots and tubers. The basal leaves grow as a leaf rosette, long-stalked and broadly heart-shaped. An upright stem grows out of it, hollow, bald or with stiff hair. The stem leaves are significantly smaller. The small whitish flowers are in cluster-shaped coils at the end of the stem. Triangular fruits that can also be winged grow from it. The plant is very similar to our garden rhubarb.

Plant parts used medicinally

Of the Rhizome and the root from at least 5 years old plants. They are dug up, cleaned, and fresh peeled off and subsequently dried quickly.

ingredients

Anthraquinones (Emodin, Rhein) and its derivatives, tannins.

Medicinal effect and application

The drug works expectorant and laxative. One prepares from it Special preparations and extracts. It is still needed today if one mild laxative effect and loose stool are desired, for example at hemorrhoids. We rarely find rhubarb root in teas.

Use in homeopathy

The middle Rheumatism becomes from the peeled and dried rhizome manufactured. People like to use it in the Paediatrics at Diarrhea. Using what is actually a laxative drug as a constipating agent corresponds to the healing principle of homeopathy: "The like should be cured with the like". Especially during the teething phase, at Summer diarrhea. The diarrhea is foul smelling, sour, frothy. Even the Children's skin smells sour. The children often have colicky stomach pain, they are very restless, moan and cry.

With adults you can Gas and diarrhea positively influence triggered by fermentation processes. Most common Powers are the D2 and the D3.