Chinese rhubarb
Rheum officinale
Rheum officinale, commonly known as Chinese rhubarb, is a traditional medicinal plant with roots in East Asian and Tibetan medicine. It has been traditionally used for various conditions such as constipation, digestive issues, and skin problems, though specific uses vary among different cultural practices. Scientific evidence suggests that Rheum officinale may have several beneficial effects. In patients with thoracolumbar compression fractures, acupoint application of a paste containing Rheum officinale improved constipation compared to a control group. Additionally, studies in diabetic rats showed that CR (a component from Rheum officinale) supplementation could protect pancreatic β-cells by reducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and altering gut microbiota composition. Furthermore, piceatannol, another compound found in Rheum officinale, enhanced growth performance and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets through similar mechanisms. In mice, dietary supplementation with Rheum officinale derivatives (DH) suppressed liver tumor growth potentially by modifying the gut bacterial composition. Safety concerns for Rheum officinale are minimal; no major issues have been recorded. Similarly, there is currently no evidence of significant drug interactions associated with this plant.
- Best evidence
- B
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- The study found that acupoint application with Rheum officinale paste improved constipation in patients with thoracolumbar compression fractures compared to a control group.
- CR supplementation protected pancreatic β-cells in diabetic rats by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and modulating gut microbiota.
- Dietary piceatannol supplementation improved growth performance and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets by modulating gut microbiota and activating Nrf2 pathway.
- DH suppressed liver tumor growth in mice, potentially through altering gut bacterial composition.
- This study identified 167 AP2/ERF family genes in Rheum officinale, providing insights into gene functions related to development and stress responses.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chinese rhubarb?
Chinese rhubarb (Rheum officinale) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about Chinese rhubarb?
5 sourced findings are recorded for Chinese rhubarb; the strongest carries evidence grade B. For example: The study found that acupoint application with Rheum officinale paste improved constipation in patients with thoracolumbar compression fractures compared to a control group.
How strong is the evidence for Chinese rhubarb?
The strongest finding for Chinese rhubarb carries evidence grade B — moderate evidence. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is Chinese rhubarb safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for Chinese rhubarb in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does Chinese rhubarb interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for Chinese rhubarb in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of Chinese rhubarb?
Chinese rhubarb is also known as: Ревень лекарственный.
Is Chinese rhubarb a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Piceatannol enhances antioxidant capacity and growth in weaned piglets by regulating of Nrf2-mediated redox homeostasis and modulating of the related gut microbiota. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Acupoint Application for Constipation in Thoracolumbar Compression Fracture. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Genome-wide analysis of the AP2/ERF gene family in Rheum officinale Baill.: Evolution and expression profiling during plant development, abiotic stresses, and exogenous hormone responses. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Coptidis Rhizoma and Rheum officinale Supplementation Protects β-cells in Diabetic Rats by Suppressing the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Regulating the Gut Microbiota. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Gut bacteria inhibited liver tumor growth during Rheum officinale Baill. treatment in mice. literature abstract metadata