Introduction
Rhubarb is a plant that is used in cooking and baking. The root has been used to ease digestion and improve organ function. Its leaves are poisonous and should not be eaten. Rhubarb can be taken as a juice or syrup. It can also be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. The root can also be made into a tea. The root can also be applied as a cream and has been used to ease cold sores.
Dosages
There are no advised doses for rhubarb.
What Research Shows
Likely Effective
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)—likely to improve function when used with standard treatment A1
- Pancreatitis —likely to improve symptoms when used with standard treatment F1- F3
- System inflammation reaction syndrome (SIRS)—likely to ease inflammation when used with standard treatment I1
- Weed killer poisoning—likely to improve prognosis when used with standard treatment J1, J2
May Be Effective
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to put rhubarb on the skin and to take rhubarb in small doses for a short time. You may have a change in urine color. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. Rhubarb may not be safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. G1
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
REFA Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
REFA1 Yang TZ, Liu Y, et al. The use of rheum palmatum L. in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017;14(2):334-347.
REFB Dysmenorrhea
REFB1 Rehman H, Begum W, et al. Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Mar;12(1):61-69.
REFC Herpes
REFC1 Saller R, Büechi S, et al. Combined herbal preparation for topical treatment of Herpes labialis. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2001 Dec;8(6):373-382.
REFD High Cholesterol
REFD1 Goel V, Ooraikul B, et al. Cholesterol lowering effects of rhubarb stalk fiber in hypercholesterolemic men. J Am Coll Nutr. 1997 Dec;16(6):600-604.
REFE Mouth Sores
REFE1 Rodríguez-Archilla A, Raissouni T. Randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of complementary therapies for recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Med Clin (Barc). 2017 Jul 21;149(2):55-60.
REFF Pancreatitis
REFF1 Wan B, Fu H, et al. Efficacy of rhubarb combined with early enteral nutrition for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2014;49(11):1375-1384.
REFF2 Zhou Y, Wang L, et al. Add-on effect of crude rhubarb to somatostatin for acute pancreatitis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;194:495-505.
REFF3 Hu J, Li P, et al. Rhubarb combined with trypsin inhibitor for severe acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2018;32(8):1450-1458.
REFG Safety
REFG1 Samavati R, Ducza E, et al. Herbal laxatives and antiemetics in pregnancy. Reprod Toxicol. 2017 Sep;72:153-158.
REFH Shigellosis
REFH1 Khiveh A, Hashempur MH, et al. Effects of rhubarb (Rheum ribes L.) syrup on dysenteric diarrhea in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2017 Sep;15(5):365-372.
REFI System inflammation reaction syndrome (SIRS)
REFI1 Zhang L, Chen J, et al. Adjuvant treatment with crude rhubarb for patients with systematic inflammation reaction syndrome/sepsis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Crit Care. 2015;30(2):282-289.
REFJ Weed killer poisoning
REFJ1 Wang L, Pan S. Adjuvant treatment with crude rhubarb for patients with acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2015;23(6):794-801.
REFJ2 Wang W, Li J, et al. [Effect of rhubarb as the main composition of sequential treatment in patients with acute paraquat poisoning: a prospective clinical research]. Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2015;27(4):254-258.