Having studied the medicinal properties of rhubarb root and contraindications to the use of this part of the plant, traditional healers began to actively use it in the treatment of many diseases. Drugs based on it help fight anemia, normalize the digestive tract, are a mild laxative, and are used in the treatment of hepatitis and other equally serious liver diseases. The root ripens only when the plant reaches the age of three. It is believed that in the sixth year its healing properties reach their peak.
A bit of history
Scientists say that for the first time they began to use the rhubarb root in ancient times - even before 2700 BC. e. Hopi Indians (China and Tibet) used it to treat colds. In addition, at about the same time, the healing root was used to prepare potions to cure diarrhea and constipation. During his travels to China in 1600, Marco Polo discovered the rhubarb root and brought this plant to Europe. Very soon, it became one of the most expensive on the herbs market. They began to use rhubarb much later - after 1800.
Plant description
Before talking about the medicinal properties of rhubarb root and contraindications for its use, you should know how the plant looks. This is a large, perennial, frost-resistant grass native to China. A magnificent honey plant attracting beneficial insects. Rhubarb has a powerful root system. The height of the hollow stem can reach a meter. It contains basal and stem leaves, painted in a saturated green color, with characteristic red lines and spots.
Flowering occurs two to three years after planting in the ground. The plant is covered with small and inconspicuous white flowers collected in inflorescences. Nuts of red-brown color are fruits.
The benefits and harms of rhubarb for the body
Thanks to its beneficial properties, the plant has a beneficial effect on the body. Drugs, which include medicinal herbs, affect the productive work of the brain, improve memory. They are effective in the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. Folk remedies from rhubarb root have a mild laxative effect, stimulate the work of the stomach and intestines, normalize metabolism. However, with a tendency to bleeding in the digestive tract, inflammatory processes in the bladder, kidneys during the period of exacerbation, such drugs can be harmful, therefore self-medication is strictly prohibited.
Due to the large number of vitamins and minerals it is successfully used in the treatment of anemia. It is an effective way to increase appetite. Calcium, which is part of the roots, helps strengthen bones, joints, and teeth. As a result, the risk of fractures is significantly reduced.
For many women, it is very important how their hair looks. If the strands are damaged, rhubarb can help - they will quickly recover, gain a natural shine, and become brighter in color.
In what cases can rhubarb harm? Do not use it with:
- hemorrhoids with bleeding;
- diabetes mellitus;
- cholecystitis;
- gout
- urolithiasis;
- rheumatism.
Substances that make up the root
This part of the plant contains many useful substances. Minerals (mg / 100 g):
- zinc - 0.15;
- iron - 0.35;
- Manganese - 0.3;
- calcium - 92;
- copper - 0.1;
- magnesium - 15.5;
- omega-6 - 0.110;
- phosphorus - 17;
- sodium - 4.3;
- selenium - 0.015;
- potassium - 297.
Vitamins (mg / 100 g):
- C - 11;
- A - 120 IU;
- B3 - 0.5;
- K - 0.032;
- E - 0.6;
- folic acid - 0.10;
- lutein - 0.190;
- pantothen - 0.03;
- carotene - 0.069.
Indications for use
Not only traditional healers are aware of the medicinal properties of rhubarb root and contraindications for taking medications based on it. In official medicine, preparations from it are used for gastritis, enteritis, colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hemorrhoids and intestinal atony. Rhubarb roots and rhizomes were included in the bitter tincture, choleretic and gastric charges.
Herbalists recommend the use of various drugs from rhubarb root for:
- Anemia
- Tuberculosis.
- Constipation.
- Gastritis.
- Jaundice.
- Intestinal colic.
- Anorexia.
- Hemorrhoids in remission.
Hepatitis
Only after a full examination and consultation with the attending physician is it possible to treat hepatitis with folk remedies. At home, a decoction of rhubarb roots can be used as a separate drug or as part of a plant mixture. Below we will present how many options for preparing decoctions.
Pour in water (0.5 l) rhubarb root powder (two tablespoons). Boil it over low heat under a closed lid for 20 minutes. Place the composition for 10 hours in a warm place. Then it is filtered. The broth of strong tea has a very bitter taste. Take it should be 1 spoon (tablespoon) three times a day. To muffle bitterness a little, after taking the medicine, eat a spoonful of natural honey. Treatment lasts for two months, followed by a two-month break.
Complex broth
It consists of several components. To prepare it, pour boiling water (500 ml) with barberry roots (10 parts), rhubarb roots (5), field horsetail (3), yellow gentian (5). For a quarter hour, the composition is steamed in a water bath.
Take it on an empty stomach 3 times 30 ml, but always in a warm form. The medicinal plant goes well with cane sugar or honey. The bitter taste of rhubarb triggers intestinal motility, activates the gallbladder and pancreas, and increases acidity.
For patients who need to restore liver function, it is important to know that the clinical properties of rhubarb have not been confirmed by certified clinical trials, and in most cases the patient reviews about the treatment are positive. You should discuss taking medications with your doctor. The root cannot cancel or replace the drugs prescribed by the hepatologist.
Diarrhea and constipation
Rhubarb is an amazing plant that can stop diarrhea and relieve constipation. The root contains active ingredients that are responsible for the frequency of contractions of the colon. During bowel cleansing, the cause of diarrhea is eliminated. This plant is also successfully used to treat chronic constipation. This may be an infusion of rhubarb root, broth, pharmacy extract, syrup, alcohol tincture. As a laxative, it acts gently without provoking an intestinal upset.
Pour 50 g of crushed dry roots with water (200 ml), boil for 10 minutes and strain. Take 30 ml before meals.
Powder
There are many folk remedies for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. One of them is a powder made from dry rhubarb roots. In small quantities, it is able to stop diarrhea, in large doses it has a laxative effect. For constipation, take ½ tablespoon (tea) of raw materials. The effect appears after 8 hours. Enough on an empty stomach to take a quarter of a spoonful of powder per day with diarrhea.
Atherosclerosis and skin diseases
To prepare the medicine, you will need a healing root powder. It is taken four times a day for 0.1 g.
Anemia: what is this disease?
Anemia (anemia) - a condition of the body in which the number of red bodies (red blood cells) is sharply reduced. The level of hemoglobin, a complex compound of iron with a protein located in red blood cells, decreases. As part of complex therapy in the treatment of anemia, tea from the roots of the plant is used.
Medicinal rhubarb tea
This remedy is very effective in the treatment of anemia. Rinse the roots thoroughly under running water and chop them finely. Dry and brew a tablespoon of raw materials in a glass of boiling water. Tea is drunk in a glass in the morning and evening.
A decoction for anemia, tuberculosis
Cold water (240 ml) pour a tablespoon of roots. Leave the composition overnight at room temperature. In the morning, bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for three minutes. Take the medicine 75 ml three times a day.
With anemia
Knowing what kind of disease is anemia, many herbalists recommend taking more complex compounds. You will need:
- Rhubarb roots - 20 g;
- dandelion roots - 5 g;
- celandine roots - 5 g;
- boiling water - 200 ml.
Pour boiling water over all the ingredients and let the composition brew for half an hour. Take the infusion three times a day, 50 ml.
Overweight and slagging
The reason for excess weight quite often is the presence in the body of a large amount of toxins. As a rule, this condition is accompanied by edema and constipation, malaise. Having laxative and astringent properties, the rhubarb root helps to effectively heal and cleanse the large intestine, relieving it of pathogenic microflora, as well as removing excess water from the tissues. To do this, you need to drink a liter of decoction from the roots for weight loss and detoxification per day.
It’s easy to cook. You will need a tablespoon of powder, which you need to pour a liter of boiling water and boil for a quarter of an hour. The broth is infused until completely cooled, it is filtered and taken in a glass after a meal.
Contraindications
We talked a lot about the healing properties of rhubarb root. This part of the plant also has contraindications. We touched on this issue, but the list of diseases in which it is necessary to regulate the use of the plant or to abandon its use should be supplemented.
Drugs that include rhubarb root should be excluded with:
- kidney stones;
- acute appendicitis;
- heartburn;
- tendency to bleeding;
- gout
- predisposition to allergic reactions;
- peritonitis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- cholecystitis.
With caution, such drugs can be taken orally in the following cases:
- during pregnancy;
- during lactation;
- children under one year old;
- with hepatic and renal failure;
- during rehabilitation after surgery in the abdominal cavity.
We talked about an amazing plant - rhubarb, more precisely, about the beneficial properties and contraindications for taking drugs that are prepared from its roots. Judging by the reviews, they are really effective, but the use of these medicines is allowed after examination and consultation with a specialist, in order to avoid deterioration of the condition and manifestation of side effects.