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Rhubarb isn’t just for pies anymore. While most people think of rhubarb as the tart, ruby-red stalk baked into springtime desserts, this humble plant has a long and storied history as a powerful healing herb.
From ancient Chinese medicine to modern-day research, rhubarb has been used to treat a wide array of ailments—making it a surprisingly potent ally for your health. If you’ve overlooked rhubarb in your garden or at the farmers market, it’s time to take another look at what this bitter beauty can do.
An Ancient Remedy with Global Roots
The medicinal use of rhubarb dates back over 5,000 years. The earliest recorded use is found in Chinese medical texts, where rhubarb root—Rheum palmatum, also known as Chinese rhubarb—was prized for its ability to purge the bowels, reduce fever, and fight inflammation. It was so highly regarded that during the Ming Dynasty, rhubarb was considered as valuable as gold and was often used as tribute to emperors.
Arab traders brought rhubarb to Europe via the Silk Road, and by the Middle Ages, it was being sold in apothecaries across the continent. Rhubarb remained a staple in traditional Persian, Russian, and Indian medicine for centuries, used as a laxative, liver cleanser, and general tonic for digestive distress.
It wasn’t until the 18th century that Europeans began cultivating rhubarb as a food crop, separating the tart edible stalks from the more medicinal root. But even then, its reputation as both food and medicine remained firmly rooted in cultures around the world.
The Power Is in the Roots—and the Stalks
Today, modern research has started to validate what traditional healers knew for centuries. The compounds that make rhubarb so bitter—such as anthraquinones, tannins, and stilbenes—are also the source of its healing power.
Rhubarb root remains the most potent part of the plant in traditional herbal medicine. It contains emodin and rhein, two compounds with strong laxative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
In fact, a 2020 review published in Phytotherapy Research noted rhubarb’s effectiveness in treating chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic syndrome. Researchers have also explored its potential as a liver protectant and a cancer-fighting agent due to its antioxidant content.
The stalks, although milder, still offer notable benefits. They’re rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamins K and C. Rhubarb’s deep red color comes from anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in berries, which have been linked to reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease.
Rhubarb and Digestive Health
Perhaps rhubarb’s most enduring use is as a natural remedy for sluggish digestion. As a gentle yet effective stimulant laxative, powdered rhubarb root has been used to relieve constipation without causing dependency. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s often included in formulas to balance the gut and purge excess heat and toxins.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that rhubarb extract helped reduce intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut,” in rats. This suggests potential for rhubarb in managing inflammatory bowel conditions or restoring gut barrier function after antibiotic use.
It’s also been used to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gallbladder congestion, often combined with gentler herbs to moderate its effects.
A Surprising Ally in Modern Medicine
Beyond digestion, recent scientific attention has turned toward rhubarb’s broader medicinal potential. In cancer research, emodin—the same compound found in rhubarb root—has shown promise in suppressing tumor growth, particularly in liver and pancreatic cancers. While much of this research is still in early stages or confined to lab studies, it signals an exciting frontier for future clinical applications.
In 2019, a team of researchers published findings in Frontiers in Pharmacology showing that rhubarb extracts inhibited pathways associated with fibrosis and inflammation in chronic kidney disease. This supports its continued use in herbal protocols for detoxification and kidney support.
Another study, published in Molecules in 2021, explored rhubarb’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, identifying multiple mechanisms by which the herb helps modulate immune responses.
Rhubarb in the Modern Garden and Kitchen
With all its benefits, growing rhubarb at home is both practical and rewarding. Once established, it returns year after year, thriving in cooler climates and needing minimal care. Harvest only the stalks—never the leaves, which contain toxic levels of oxalic acid—and use the stalks in juices, compotes, or teas for a daily dose of health.
Though typically prepared with sugar to temper its tartness, rhubarb can also be simmered with ginger, strawberries, or citrus for savory-sweet sauces that support both palate and digestion. Herbalists often dry the root and use it in tinctures, capsules, or teas for more targeted therapeutic use.
A Word of Caution
Despite its many virtues, rhubarb should be used with awareness. The roots and the leaves of rhubarb are not suitable for long-term or high-dose use without guidance. Individuals with kidney issues or a tendency toward oxalate stones should avoid excessive consumption of rhubarb root-based preparations. (Stick with the stalks)
For most people, however, moderate use of rhubarb as food and supplement can be a powerful tool in the quest for better health—especially when paired with a whole-foods diet and an active lifestyle.
Bringing Rhubarb Back
As renewed interest grows in natural remedies and plant-based medicine, rhubarb stands out as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern wellness. It’s more than just a seasonal flavor—it’s a botanical treasure with a rich history and real science behind it.
Whether you’re sipping rhubarb tea, adding a stalk to your smoothie, or planting a crown in your backyard garden, you’re participating in a legacy that stretches back millennia. The revival of rhubarb isn’t just good for your tastebuds—it’s great for your health.
