TURKEY RHUBARB - Rheum palmatum

This plant is known also by— East Indian Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb

FAMILY: Polygonaceae—the Dock family

PARTS COMMONLY USED: Root

COLLECTION: October—late fall and early Winter

DESCRIPTION & HABITAT: This plant can get fairly tall! The leaves are palmate and rough. The thick root is oval shaped with long tapering rootlets. The exterior of the root is brown and the interior is a deep, dark yellow color. The stem can reach 6-10 feet high. It’s leaves and size are different from the Common Garden Rhubarb. It has greenish-white flowers, with buds in the Spring of yellow. This is a rapidly growing plant. Ideally, the roots should be harvested when they are four to six years old. The root and stems of this plant are edible, but the leaves are poisonous due to their highly concentrated content of oxalic acid.

HISTORY & USES: This plant has a long history beginning in China. It obtained the name Turkey Rhubarb from the route it took in exporting. The Chinese used this root in two different cases. If diarrhea was present, small doses would help arrest it, and also help stimulate the appetite. This utilized the tannin and bitters inherent in the root. In the case of constipation, larger doses were employed. Here the anthraquinones and their strong irritating factor to the digestive tract is used. The root’s actions are so powerful, than when used for diarrhea, it can cause intense cramping. It is an ingredient in many Chinese formulas. More recently, it may be found of benefit in those with diabetic neuropathy. It may play a part in decreasing blood glucose, improve symptoms associated with severe kidney compromise.

ORGANS/SYSTEMS AFFECTED: digestive, urinary

SOLVENTS: water, alcohol

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, or any inflammation of the intestines. Persons with a history or tendency of kidney stones or inflammation or gallstones. Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

CONSIDERATIONS: It’s powerful laxative action comes from the anthraquinones contained in it’s root. This chemical can also stimulate menses, bringing blood flow to the pelvic area. Pregnant or nursing women should not take this root. It should also not be used by those with ulcers or colitis, due to it’s aggravating nature to the intestinal tract, or those with their gallbladders removed. The urine may turn yellow or red from the pigments contained in this root. High or prolonged use of this root may cause electrolyte imbalances related to diarrhea. If you are taking cardiac glycosides, have your physician monitor you frequently for possible toxicity of the drug.

THOUGHTS: The emodin present in this root and Sheep Sorrel is impressive. Tests indicate it is anticancer, antibacterial, a diuretic, and relaxes veins. It is also considered immunosuppressive, but apparently not in significant enough amounts to be of consideration in this tea. Other chemicals in the root have been shown to suppress Hepatitis B virus surface antigen in laboratory studies.

Beside the obvious reasons related to nutritional aspects, the mucilaginous properties of Slippery Elm may help to counteract the irritation of Turkey Rhubarb to the intestinal tract. Laxatives and purgatives act by stimulating peristalsis of the intestine.

RHUBARB CONTROVERSY

I would almost rather have my wisdom teeth pulled than get into this one! The Rhubarb is actually such a very minute part of the whole blend (about 3%), that it seems futile to be splitting hairs on this one, but here I go!

Rheum officinale—Indian Rhubarb— Officinale indicates that it was named for it’s medicinal qualities, and at one point listed as an “official drug”. Some claim that it’s properties are stronger, more potent, and overall more effective. They even claimed that the Rheum palmatum is a “common garden plant.” Garden Rhubarb, or Common Rhubarb is actually Rheum rhaponticum. Beware: Only the fakes use the common garden rhubarb plant. Turkey Rhubarb has never been a “common garden plant.” In the book Essiac Essentials, written by people who have actually seen Rene’s notes and records: “Turkey Rhubarb is not only medicinally more potent but has a much less bitter taste than the medicinally milder domestic rhubarb roots (Rheum rhaponticum) which Rene used when she first began experimenting with the recipe, until she discovered that the Turkey Rhubarb root was easily available commercially and easy to grind into powder.” So, it appears that Rene never really used the Rheum officinale in her formulating of the essiac blend.

You may be thinking you wish to only use the roots that grew in those higher elevations in China. That may well be fine, but try to get them into this country without going through the Department of Agriculture’s spraying, fumigating, irradiating, etc. Then you have an inferior product compared to that which has been grown here in the U.S. under organic conditions. My opinion anyway. I refuse to have pesticides on any herbs I sell or use in the essiac blend. So which is worse?

Finally, we get into the controversy as to what the Turtle Island Ojibwe Medicine Man must have used. This controversy seems like a moot point in the face of Rene Caisse's research and five decades of experience. This Essiac tea is Rene Caisse's recipe, resulting from the Ojibwe's introduction. I give thanks to that Medicine Man for being the one to start Rene on her path. She refined the recipe to where it became her own original synergistic combination of four herbs, achieving her desired results for over five decades. Please understand – this is Rene Caisse's original recipe.

So much has been plaguerized, taken away from, and beaten out of the Turtle Island People. I’m not going to get into some “white man” bashing thing here, but let’s give credit to where credit is actually due and to the extent it is deserved. (This is Rene Caisse's blend!) We are, in actuality, all one people, from the same source, with a variety of talents and wisdom to impart to each other. We have more in common than different—in the larger scheme of things. Put down the hatchets, arrows, barbed tongues and let’s get onto fighting cancer!

This information is provided for educational purposes and to promote discussion only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or claim cure for any disease or imbalance in the body.

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