Erbe mediche in ayurveda: Rabarbaro

Sanskrit: Amla-vetasa,
Hindi: Revand-chini, Archu
English: Rhubarb
Latin: Rheum emodi Wall., (R. officinale, R.acuminatum, R. speciforme, R. webbianum, R. moorcroftianum, R australe).
Part Used: Root (dried rhizomes)
Habitat: Himalayas: 8,000-13,000 feet; Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, China, Tibet, Russia, Turkey, and many other countries
Energetics: Bitter-cold-pungent PK- V+
Tissues: Plasma, blood, fat
Systems: Excretory, digestive
Action: Purgative, alterative, hemostatic, antipyretic, anthelmintic, stomachic, bitter tonic, cathartic, laxative, atonic indigestion

Uses: Constipation (with fevers, ulcers, infections), diarrhea, Pitta dysentery, jaundice, liver disorders. One of the best purgatives (milder than senna), protects colon tone, used with licorice and psyllium in older and dryer persons (ginger or fennel is added to remove griping action—4 parts rhubarb:1 part ginger or fennel); purges bile, áma, stagnant food and blood; reduces weight and fat; is safe for children (also for teething and nutritional balancing), atonic dyspepsia, or indigestion; duodenal catarrh. It is stronger when used with Epsom salt.

Preparation: Infusion, powder (1 gm.—laxative; 3 gms.—purgative), pill

Precaution: Pregnancy, chronic diarrhea, chills, not for Váyu hemorrhoids; not used with gout, rheumatism, epilepsy, or uric acid diseases. It turns the urine yellow but there is no cause for concern