Pregnant women should avoid this herb in all forms

due to its potent laxative effect.

Drug Interactions
Natural Source of Rhubarb Supplement-drug interactions can be dangerous and,
in rare cases, even life-threatening. Always consult
Rhubarb is a vegetable derived from cultivated
your doctor before supplementing and let them know
plants in the genus Rheum in the
about all drugs and supplements you are using or
family Polygonaceae. The whole plant
considering.
– a herbaceous perennial growing from
Because rhubarb has a laxative effect, please
short, thick rhizomes –is also called
discuss with your doctor before taking it with any
rhubarb.
medications. Combining it with digoxin (Lanoxin,
Active Constituents of Rhubarb Digox), used for treating heart failure, can be
especially dangerous.
The major active constituents of Rhubarb are
hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives How does it work? (Mechanism)
including chrysophanol, aloe,emodin, emodin,
Rhubarb contains several chemicals which might
physcion, rhein and their glucosides.
help heal cold sores and improve movement of the
intestines. Some chemicals in rhubarb might reduce
Uses of Rhubarb
swelling. Rhubarb contains fiber that might reduce
cholesterol levels.
❖ Rhubarb is a plant. The root and underground
stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. Chemical Tests of Rhubarb
❖ Rhubarb is used primarily for digestive
1. The Rhubarb powder on being treated with
complaints including constipation, diarrhea,
ammonia gives rise to a pink coloration.
heartburn, stomach pain, gastrointestinal (GI)
2. Rhubarb gives a blood-red coloration with 5%
bleeding, and preparation for certain GI
potassium hydroxide.
diagnostic procedures. Some people use rhubarb
3. It gives a positive indication with modified
so they have to strain less during bowel
Borntrager’s test.
movements; this reduces pain from hemorrhoids
or tears in the skin lining the anal canal. Chemical Pharmaceutical Preparation
❖ Rhubarb is sometimes applied to the skin to treat
The rhizomes are collected either in spring or in
cold sores.
autumn from 6 to 10-year-old plants., grown at an
❖ In food, rhubarb stems are eaten in pie and other
altitude of more than 3, 000 meters. These are duly
recipes. Rhubarb is also used as a flavoring agent.
cleaned, decorticated and dried. The relatively larger
rhizomes are cut into small pieces either
Side Effects & Precautions
longitudinally or transversely. The cut fragments are
Rhubarb rhizome and root are likely safe in the threaded and dried in the shade. They are also dried
amounts present in food and possibly safe as artificially in an atmosphere of hot wooden boxes
nutritional supplements, used in adequate amounts. and exported for commercial consumption.
The reported side effects include:
Student Name: Hager Atia Ahmed
• Diarrhea
Under Supervision of: Dr. Adel Abdelkader
• High liver enzymes
• Skin rash ID: 1210011
• Changes in urine color Title: Rhubarb