Rhubarb belongs to the buckwheat family and resembles burdock in appearance. Only petioles with a sour taste are suitable for consumption. The root system and leaves of the plant are not used for food. Infusions and various decoctions are made from them.
Rhubarb: benefits and harm to the body
The plant has many beneficial properties and has a beneficial effect on the body.
- Positively affects brain activity. Useful for any age, as it promotes productive brain function. Has a positive effect on memory.
- Benefits the digestive system. Having a laxative effect, it helps cleanse the stomach, stimulate its proper functioning, and also normalize metabolism.
- Strengthens the immune system. Thanks to the large amount of vitamins, rhubarb is very beneficial for the body and human health.
- An important point for many women is the condition of their hair. The plant is a good medicine that helps heal damaged fibers. The hair will quickly recover, become brighter in color and acquire a natural shine.
- Strengthens bones. The calcium it contains helps joints and teeth become stronger. Significantly reduces the risk of fractures.
Include rhubarb in your diet, which will help improve the condition and functioning of the body and relieve many ailments.
If there is a tendency to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, acute inflammatory processes in the bladder or kidneys, then rhubarb should not be consumed in large doses.
- hemorrhoids with bleeding;
- cholecystitis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- tendency to diarrhea;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- urolithiasis.
Medicinal properties of rhubarb
In folk medicine it is often recommended to use rhubarb.
- Prevents the development of eye diseases.
- With sufficient and regular consumption of the stems, the number of wrinkles decreases and the skin becomes less susceptible to aging. Thanks to its bactericidal properties, it prevents the development of not only skin infections, but also fungal ones.
- The plant has laxative properties, so when consuming rhubarb you don’t have to worry about the manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders, flatulence and cramps.
- The stems help thin the blood and prevent stagnation in the blood vessels. Reduce the likelihood of blood clots. By normalizing blood flow, the risk of stroke is minimized.
- The cardiovascular system is significantly improved. And fiber helps cleanse blood vessels.
- Reduces the risk of developing cancer, especially in the lungs and mouth. This occurs due to the fact that the substances included in the composition prevent cell mutation.
If you suffer from constipation or, conversely, soft stools or painful menstruation, then the plant under discussion, which constricts blood vessels, will help cope with these ailments. When consumed in small portions, it has a strengthening effect, and when the concentration increases, it has a laxative effect.
Bioactive substances present in the plant prevent cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of the roots helps cure heart failure and reduce the risk of stroke, as well as strengthen the myocardial muscle.
The main quality is improved digestion. Thanks to ascorbic acid, it prevents infectious infections, thereby helping to avoid colds, keep the body in good shape and delay the onset of old age.
Doctors often prescribe rhubarb as an aid to normalize sleep and strengthen the nervous system. The plant is rich in polyphenols, which help prevent cancer and benign tumors.
Thus, in addition to the above, the plant helps treat:
- inflammation of the stomach and intestines;
- gallbladder diseases;
- anemia;
- haemorrhoids;
- exhaustion;
- tuberculosis;
- diabetes;
- liver diseases;
- obesity;
- cracks in the rectum;
- constipation and bowel disorders;
- cold;
- hangover syndrome.
Traditional medicine recipes
Dried and ground root, diluted with a small amount of vinegar, helps cure skin diseases. To get rid of constipation, take one large spoon of powder before bed, but be careful, you should not use this remedy often, it is addictive.
You can prepare a tincture from the plant. To do this, pour the roots (180 g) with alcohol (190 ml). Leave for half a month. Then strain. A reddish-transparent liquid will come out that has a bitter taste. Take a small spoon before meals - this will help increase appetite.
Tuberculosis, anemia, poisoning
Ingredients:
- water – 240 ml;
- rhubarb root - 1 tbsp. spoon.
Preparation:
- Cold water is used for preparation. Place the root. Leave overnight. Boil and cook for three minutes.
- Take three times a day. Single dose: 75 ml.
Rhubarb, or “heroic grass,” as it is popularly called, is a perennial plant of the buckwheat family. Experts count more than thirty species of the plant. Tibetan and Chinese rhubarb is actively used as a basis for preparing medicinal decoctions, infusions, and ointments. Ancient healers knew rhubarb as the “yellow root,” which has the beneficial property of quickly eliminating high fever and eliminating the signs of a cold. Altai rhubarb grows in our latitudes, famous since ancient times for its general strengthening properties.
Benefits of rhubarb
The benefits and harms of rhubarb today are known to few. This is a huge omission that needs to be filled, because the plant has a truly unique composition. Green leaves are saturated with bioflavonoids, fruit acids, valuable vitamins C, E, K, B vitamins, PP.
Calcium, magnesium, and potassium salts make it possible to actively use rhubarb for the prevention and fight against cardiovascular diseases, replenishing the lack of these rare and vital microelements in the body. The composition of the root and leaves contains tannins, resins, fatty acids, pectin, starch, and tannins in abundance.
Herbalists prefer wild species of herbaceous grass that grow in Asian latitudes. The plant has a specific bitter taste and aroma. The roots of the four-year-old plant are considered the most suitable for the preparation of medicines and preparations actively used in cosmetology. Today, rhubarb has found effective use in the following areas:
- prevention, treatment of the gastrointestinal tract;
- antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory therapy;
- used for intoxication, slagging of the body as a laxative;
- having a mild choleretic effect, it is used for lesions of the liver and biliary tract;
- rhubarb is an excellent immunostimulant that eliminates signs of anemia, immunodeficiency, and sclerosis;
- therapy of skin diseases;
- effectively used as a healing and antiseptic agent for burns, abrasions, and wounds;
- the beneficial property of rhubarb to suppress the manifestations of scurvy is known;
- in cosmetology it is used as a product that has pronounced healing and strengthening properties.
Contraindications
Like any medicine, rhubarb can bring not only benefits, but also harm. To obtain the expected effect, the dosage must be observed. For example, a small amount of yellow root homeopathic remedy added to food will help strengthen the intestines and remove excess bile. If you increase the dosage, the result will be exactly the opposite.
Excess oxalic acid contained in the yellow root has a toxic effect on the body. That is why you should use rhubarb with caution in the following cases:
- inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers, appendicitis;
- pathology of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
- rheumatism;
- pregnancy and;
- childhood.
The benefits and harms of rhubarb should be thoroughly studied before consuming the plant for preventive and health purposes.
Rhubarb recipes
Historical sources dating back to the mid-eighteenth century tell us about the active use of herb in cooking. For example, in Altai, rhubarb was steamed in an oven and eaten together with honey. Aristocrats preferred rhubarb jam and sauce served with meat and fish dishes. Rhubarb was added to the filling of pies, borscht, and peasant sour cabbage soup.
Modern cooks honor the heritage of their ancestors, making jam and compotes with the addition of rhubarb. Bogatyr grass today is more often used as a fruit; candied fruits, lollipops, marmalade, and all kinds of jams are produced from it. Rhubarb wine has a rich, non-trivial taste and a characteristic aroma.
Green leaves and young petioles become a healthy, tasty addition to vegetable salads, soups, and stews. Followers of dietary nutrition appreciate steamed young shoots of the herb. They have a delicate consistency and a pleasant aroma.
The benefits and harms of rhubarb compote
Compote is easy to prepare and, subject to dosage, will bring exceptional benefits to the body. Add half a kilo of chopped rhubarb stems to a two-liter metal container filled with water. Add half a glass of granulated sugar here and mix. Place the container on the fire, bring to a boil, leaving on the fire for another five minutes. Then the compote is cooled. Add ice and lemon to taste. A delicious, healthy diet drink is ready!
Rhubarb jam: benefits and harms
Obviously, in the absence of obvious contraindications, rhubarb jam will provide exceptional benefits to human health. Therefore, it is recommended to safely include this delicacy in your diet.
To prepare, you will need to combine chopped petioles and in equal proportions. Place the mixture in an enamel bowl and put on fire. Bring to a boil, then leave on the stove, stirring, for about a quarter of an hour. Then the mixture is cooled and poured into glass containers.
If you follow the rules of use, rhubarb will not cause harm, but will provide the body with exceptional benefits. Vigor, excellent health, harmony will become constant companions.
Rhubarb is a perennial, rather voluminous herbaceous plant of the buckwheat family. The plant is similar in appearance to burdock, and tastes like a sour apple. It is unpretentious and will take root in absolutely any soil. In addition, it will not take up much space in your garden or summer cottage, but will bring you many benefits. Rhubarb petioles need to be watered at least once every ten days. You should also know that the plant does not store well, so try to use it as soon as possible. In addition, it is strictly not recommended to store raw materials in iron and copper containers.
Rhubarb ripens at the beginning of spring, just the time when the human body needs vitamins. And here the plant will come in handy more than ever.
Procurement of medicinal raw materials
In folk medicine, the root of the plant is mainly used. Do not use roots that are too young; wait a couple of years. A plant that is at least four years old will be more useful. It is recommended to harvest raw materials at the end of summer and beginning of autumn. It is not advisable to use roots that were collected in November or even later for medicinal purposes. The later you decide to collect the roots of a plant, the greater the likelihood that it no longer contains even a small fraction of its healing properties.
Be sure to clean the roots from remnants of shoots, leaves and rot, then rinse them thoroughly from the soil and chop them. As for drying raw materials, it is better to do this either outdoors, under a canopy, or in a well-ventilated room. It is advisable to store in boxes. Shelf life - no more than five years.
Composition and benefits of rhubarb
The following elements were found in the plant:
- acid: ascorbic, malic, citric, oxalic and succinic;
- pectin substances;
- carotene;
- routine;
- catechin;
- vitamins B, C, PP;
- mineral salts.
Rhubarb is a dietary product. There is practically no fat in it. It is capable of having a mild diuretic effect. It is for this reason that it is recommended to include it in the diet of people with problems such as swelling. For the same purpose, rhubarb can replace diuretic medications for pregnant women.
Rhubarb is also a laxative. It should definitely be eaten by those people who often suffer from constipation. The petioles of the plant contain fiber, which helps normalize the functioning of the digestive system.
If you consume the plant in small quantities, you can achieve the opposite effect. People suffering from frequent intestinal disorders should take note of this.
Medicines based on rhubarb help:
- activation of blood cell formation processes;
- strengthening vascular walls;
- improving the metabolic process;
- increased appetite;
- treatment of colds;
- restoration of vision;
- cure liver diseases;
- strengthening the immune system;
- reducing the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease and acute heart failure;
- removal of toxic substances and waste;
- increasing the body's resistance to the negative effects of the environment;
- treatment vitamin deficiency;
- strengthening hair and nails.
Rhubarb will help in the treatment of:
- sinusitis;
- rhinitis;
- colds;
- enterobiasis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- gout;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- anemia;
- liver diseases;
- skin ailments;
- atherosclerosis;
- tuberculosis.
Rhubarb in folk medicine
Medicines from rhubarb can be used for both preventive and medicinal purposes. Just be sure to consult your doctor before using any medication.
Rhubarb infusion will help improve bowel function. To prepare the product, you will need well-chopped roots of a vegetable plant and a glass of boiled water. After you fill the raw material with water, leave it to sit for twenty minutes. Filter and drink a third of a glass of infusion before going to bed. It is not recommended to take this remedy continuously to relieve constipation. It is advisable to alternate this medicine with other laxatives.
Rhubarb powder will help with diarrhea. Take the roots of the plant, remove the soil and wash thoroughly. After drying, chop with a knife. Dry the resulting raw material again, then grind it using a coffee grinder to a powder state. Before use, add a pinch of powder with water. Use the product several times a day.
Decoction to reduce blood pressure. Take a couple of tablespoons of dried petioles and add boiled water, then place on the stove and simmer over low heat for half an hour. Remove the broth from the stove, cool and filter. Drink one and a half glasses per day.
Rhubarb juice fromvitamin deficiency Take the petioles of the plant, peel and wash thoroughly. Extract the juice using a juicer. Drink a glass of juice a day. You can add honey or sugar to it. Daily use of the product helps improve immunity and replenish vitamin reserves.
Rhubarb tincture for flatulence. Take 100 grams of rhubarb shoots, chop and pour in a liter of vodka. Leave to infuse in a tightly sealed container for a week. Take twenty drops of tincture three times a day.
A decoction for the treatment of anemia and tuberculosis. To prepare this remedy you will need rhubarb, celandine and dandelion roots. Grind, combine and mix all the ingredients, then add boiled water. Place on the stove and boil the product for ten minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Take 50 ml of decoction several times a day.
Treatment of fractures. Take the roots of rhubarb, wild mallow, chop and mix with ground inknut and barley flour. Apply the resulting mixture to the affected area. You can put gauze on top and secure it with a bandage. The duration of the procedure is half an hour.
Using rhubarb for preventive purposes. Eating this plant is an excellent prevention of the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as the appearance of benign or malignant neoplasms. This is due to the presence of bioactive substances in this herbaceous plant. In addition, the usual chewing of a fresh rhubarb petiole will relieve you of the rather unpleasant symptoms of a hangover in the shortest possible time.
Some praise this plant for its culinary and medicinal qualities. Others are afraid of it because they consider it poisonous. Because of such a dubious reputation, few people give it a place in the garden, so it “huddles” forlornly near the fences. This is rhubarb. What are its benefits and harms? Does this plant kill or heal?
Herb from the Queen of England's garden - rhubarb, and its health value
Even those who prefer to maintain their health not with pharmaceutical drugs, but with medicinal plants, do not always know what benefits and harms rhubarb brings to the body. It has quite impressive dimensions - up to 45 cm. And it looks like this: on a strong root there is a thick straight stem of a red hue, on which a large green leaf rests. Rhubarb stems are used for food (they have a sour taste), and roots are used for medicinal purposes.
The composition of this plant is convincing evidence that rhubarb can have positive and negative effects on health. It contains succinic, malic, ascorbic, citric and other acids, electrolytes - sodium, potassium, minerals - calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, manganese, copper. Nature has not deprived rhubarb of vitamins - E, C, PP, K, retinol, B-group. You can also find antioxidants, starch, tannins, fatty acids, pectins, dietary fiber in it, but there are also oxalates.
Rhubarb has antiseptic properties, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, laxative, anthelmintic effects, and helps bones heal faster in case of fractures.
The ability of rhubarb to improve the health of the body:
Important! Despite the abundance of healing and health properties, people with good health, and especially those who have any diseases, should consume it in moderation. The safe norm for an adult is 100 g of fresh stems per day. If it is exceeded, symptoms of intoxication may occur - nausea, vomiting, liver and kidney damage.
Reverse Effect: Dangerous Consequences of Taking Rhubarb
You should always be careful with plants that contain toxic substances. This also applies to such a natural “medicine” as rhubarb. Its benefits and harms can change places if you take the wrong part of the bush or at the wrong time.
Possible pathological reactions to eating rhubarb:
- exacerbation of chronic ulcers, pancreatitis, gastritis;
- loose stools;
- deficiency of potassium and calcium;
- blood clotting disorder;
- recurrence of hemorrhoids (it can provoke bleeding from hemorrhoids);
- decreased production of breast milk in a nursing woman;
- juice from the leaves of this plant, if consumed for a long time, can lead to the formation of sand and stones in the kidneys or gallstones or cause renal colic and poisoning.
It is forbidden to use rhubarb in case of individual intolerance, pregnancy, abdominal pain of unknown origin, appendicitis, cystitis, kidney disease, pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal pathologies in the acute stage.
Dishes with rhubarb should not be included in the diet for those who have increased stomach acidity. A relative limitation to its use is gout. In large quantities, rhubarb promotes the deposition of oxalic acid in the body.
Important! Rhubarb preparations should not be taken continuously (addiction will begin over time).
How to use it?
Rhubarb is widely used in cooking. Its fresh young stems are used to prepare a vitamin salad and serve as a tasty filling for a pie. Rhubarb is used to make jam, jelly, compote, it is added to borscht, and cabbage rolls are prepared.
In alternative medicine, this plant is used according to special recipes.
Practical tips for the medicinal use of rhubarb:
- For constipation: you need to grind the roots of rhubarb and licorice (15 g each) and take the mixture 15 g before bed.
- For atherosclerosis: grind the dried root into powder, consume 0.1 g four times a day.
- For tuberculosis: take the underground part of dandelion, celandine (5 g each), rhubarb (20 g). Brew 1 tbsp. boiling water Leave for 30 minutes. Take ¼ tbsp orally. 3 r. per day.
- For bloating: cut 150 g of shoots, pour them with a liter of vodka. Seal the container tightly. Leave for five days. Drink 15 drops. 3 r. in a day.
- To improve the functioning of the digestive system: make a decoction of 4 tbsp. l. rhubarb powder (obtained from the roots) and 1 liter of boiled water. Boil all this for 5 minutes, strain. Let it brew for 10-12 hours. Drink 30 ml.
- For anemia: wash the root part, chop it, dry it, brew it like tea.
- To stop diarrhea, twice a day you need to eat the powder from the roots, taken on the tip of a teaspoon, and wash it down with water.
Rhubarb has found wide application in cooking, cosmetology and folk healing. Asian countries and the American people use the plant on an even larger scale, and this is not surprising. Rhubarb is cultivated for industrial purposes, then it is used to prepare medicines, cosmetics, and seasonings. On this basis, many are interested in the beneficial and harmful qualities of the plant. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Composition of rhubarb
Most often, the root of the plant is used, which is dried and crushed in advance. Rhubarb contains about 90% water, which determines its rapid absorption after entering the body.
The plant also accumulates poly- and monosaccharides, starch, fiber and other dietary fiber, pectin, chrysophan, and glycosides.
Rhubarb is a record holder among plants that contain a lot of organic acids. So, we are talking about apple, ascorbic, amber, etc.
The vitamin complex consists of beta-carotene, thiamine, retinol, niacin, riboflavin, tocopherol, vitamins C and K. In terms of these enzymes, rhubarb is superior to the notorious currants and apples.
The plant is not deprived of macro- and microelements. Of particular value are potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, and magnesium.
Many may think that such an extensive list of chemicals implies a high calorie content. However, this figure is only 13 Kcal. For comparison, other types of greens (dill, parsley, etc.) have a higher calorie content.
Useful properties of rhubarb
- prevents brain hypoxia by feeding neurons;
- lowers blood pressure and prevents it from rising again;
- heals wounds on the mucous membranes of internal organs;
- strengthens nails, bones and teeth;
- increases the body's protective functions in the off-season;
- replenishes the lack of valuable substances due to vitamin deficiency;
- strengthens the eye muscles, increases visual acuity;
- promotes improved liver function, removes bile;
- facilitates the course of hepatitis;
- restores skin after burns, psoriasis, and other similar ailments;
- strengthens the immune system, reducing susceptibility to bronchitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory viral infections, and influenza;
- prevents tuberculosis;
- fights tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmia;
- used in the treatment of flatulence, dispersion and intestinal atony;
- cleanses the body of toxins, relieves constipation (including chronic)
- effective for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- increases appetite in adults and children, reducing possible dystrophy;
- acts as an antispasmodic for pain in the spleen, gall bladder, liver, uterus, kidneys;
- prevents anemia due to large accumulation of iron;
- helps recover from heart attacks and strokes;
- reduces the number of heart attacks, restores muscle tone;
- promotes weight loss;
- cleanses the bladder of tumors.
In large quantities, preparations based on the plant root can be dangerous. Therefore, use the petioles in various dishes.
Benefits of rhubarb for men
- The plant is useful for use by men of different age categories. It is known that representatives of the stronger half of the population often suffer from heart diseases, which develop due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood.
- Rhubarb removes harmful compounds, gently expands blood channels, and accelerates blood circulation. This reduces the likelihood of blood clots, varicose veins, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Men are prone to addictions such as smoking and alcohol. Rhubarb cleanses the body of poisons, quickly removes alcohol during a hangover, and prevents lung cancer.
Benefits of rhubarb for women
- The plant is excellent for consumption by women. Rhubarb preserves the youth of body tissues and skin in particular. The seasoning is useful to eat during the menstrual cycle to reduce pain.
- Rhubarb increases the regeneration processes of epidermal cells, reducing the number of wrinkles and age spots. The plant is often used to combat hair loss, dandruff, itching, and severe oiliness.
- Women during menopause need to take crushed raw materials to reduce the number of hot flashes. The seasoning also supports vision and prevents cataracts.
Diabetes and gout
- Rhubarb leaves effectively help with diabetes. Special enzymes that control the release of insulin in the pancreas have a positive effect.
- Medicines based on rhubarb and xylitol normalize blood glucose levels. Diabetes in patients often occurs along with disorders of mineral synthesis. As a result, gout or uric acid diathesis occurs.
- If gout is diagnosed, rhubarb should be consumed in small quantities and with extreme caution. If the norm is not observed, the course of the disease is significantly aggravated due to the deposition of oxalic acid in the body.
- For such ailments, rhubarb can be added to the diet in rare cases. Moreover, the product must be combined with other dishes, for example with borscht.
Oncology
- British scientists have found that rhubarb is rich in polyphenols. Such enzymes have a strong anti-cancer effect.
- Studies have shown that when a patient consumed rhubarb extract in two days, the number of cancer cells in the body was reduced by 2 times.
- In severe cases of lung cancer, further development of the disease is blocked after 10 days. Regular consumption of the plant in your usual diet will provide excellent cancer prevention.
Constipation
- Rhubarb root powder will help combat chronic constipation. It is recommended to take the product at night, as the desired effect occurs after 7 hours.
- Experts recommend using the plant extract alternately with other laxatives. Otherwise, the effect of rhubarb will weaken over time.
Hepatitis
- Consumption of the plant's root at any stage of hepatitis can significantly improve the patient's condition and eliminate most of the medications taken.
- To prepare an effective remedy, you need to pour 60 grams into a small saucepan. dry crushed rhubarb root. Pour 500 ml of raw materials. water, turn the burner to low.
- Simmer the product for at least a third of an hour. After this, wait for the broth to cool naturally and strain. The product must be consumed in 30 ml doses. before a meal, eating 10 grams. honey.
- Before consumption, you need to know that not all parts of rhubarb are suitable for consumption or medicinal use. Aboveground stems and leaves are considered poisonous. This statement is associated with an excess of oxalic acid, which is harmful to the kidneys.
- Due to the content of such acid in the root of the plant, it is prohibited to consume the product in large quantities if you have kidney stones. Compotes and rhubarb jams do not count.
- Acids interact with calcium to form stones. From here, further complications develop with the existing illness. Rhubarb must be harvested in the spring; the plant contains almost harmless malic acid.
- It is forbidden to use rhubarb in any form for inflammatory processes of the bladder, bleeding of various natures, peritonitis, cholecystitis, pregnancy and rheumatism.
Rhubarb will bring undoubted benefits to the body if the daily intake is strictly observed. Be careful with chronic ailments, the plant can save you from complications or aggravate the situation.
Video: how to properly grow and use rhubarb
