Steinmetz:Rheum

Rheum officinale

Also known as (or relevant to) Rheum officinale Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum Family Polygonaceae English Names Chinese Rhubarb Turkey Rhubarb Natural Habitat China Thibet cultivated in Europe Part(s) Used Radix Rhei sinensis

Constituent(s) rheum-emodin chrysophanol minerals (including calcium oxalate) starch gum tannin resin acids glucogallin Action purgative astringent tonic stomachic depurative used in acute bacillary dysentery

Rheum rhaponticum

Also known as (or relevant to) Rheum rhaponticum Rheum undulatum Rheum rhabarbarum Family Polygonaceae English Names Rhapontic Rhapontic Rhubarb Natural Habitat Europe (including Great Britain) Balkan Siberia Thibet China Part(s) Used Radix Rhei Rhapontici

Constituent(s) chrysophanol (but no rheum-emodin) rhaponticin tannin acids pectin gum oxalic acid Action root: laxative astringent tonic stomachic depurative. - The leaves are eaten as a vegetable with laxative effect and are rich in vitamin C

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book