Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Emodin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone found in several plants, including rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) and cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana). Its use for supporting or treating poor digestion is primarily justified by traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Historically, plants containing emodin have been used as laxatives and digestive aids due to their ability to stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long utilized rhubarb root for its purgative properties, which are largely attributed to emodin and related anthraquinones.

Scientific studies have identified that emodin exerts its laxative effect by stimulating peristalsis and inhibiting water absorption in the colon, leading to softer stools and increased bowel movement frequency. However, direct clinical evidence supporting emodin specifically for general "poor digestion" (as opposed to constipation) is limited. Most available research focuses on its action as a stimulant laxative rather than as a comprehensive digestive tonic. The evidence for its effectiveness in treating constipation is moderate but not robust, and its safety profile, especially with long-term use, is not fully established. Therefore, while there is a longstanding tradition of using emodin-containing herbs for digestive complaints, particularly constipation, scientific validation remains limited and does not extend to all forms of poor digestion.

More about emodin
More about Digestion (poor)

Other ingredients used for Digestion (poor)

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Abuta
Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Acid protease
Actinidin
Adenophora
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
Agastache
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Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
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Alantolactone
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Alcohol
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Allspice
Allyl sulfide
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amaranth
American Liverleaf
amino acids
Amomum
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anamu
ananain
andrographolide
Angelica
Angostura
anise
Anserina
anthraquinone
apple
apple cider vinegar
apricot
Aralia
arame
Arani
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arrowroot
arugula
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Asam gelugor
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aspergillopepsin
aster root
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atractylodes
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Baikal Skullcap
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Basidiomycota
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beet
Belamcanda
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Berberis (unspecified)
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blackboard tree
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borassus palm
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Carlina
carob
carqueja
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Carthamus
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caryophyllene
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cascaroside
Casearia esculenta
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cassia bark
castor oil
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cayenne pepper
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cellulase
Celosia
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Centella triterpenes
Centipeda
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Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaff flower
chamomile
chard
chen pi
Chenopodium
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chervil
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Chinese salvia root
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chive
chlorella
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chokeberry
Chondrus
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Cinnamomum
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citrus sinensis (proprietary)
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Codonopsis
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cumin
Curcuma
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curry leaf
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
Cynodon dactylon
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dandelion
date
David\'s milkberry
deer root
dextrin
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Dihydrocapsaicin
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dog rose
dogwood
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duodenal substance
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elastase
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Embelia
emodin
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exopeptidase
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lactitol
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lichen
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ligustilides
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limonene
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lipase
liquid liver fractions
Litsea
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
loquat
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lotus
lotus seed
lovage
lucuma
luffa
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Macaranga indica
mace
magnesium
mallow
malt
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oat
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psyllium
Pullulanase
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quassia
queen of the meadow
quince
Quisqualis
radish
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
rice
ricinoleic acid
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
Rosabin
rose
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
Rubia cordifolia
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
rye
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Samphire
Sanguisorba
saponins
Sargassum
Sarivan
sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Savory
Scabrous Gentian
Schisandrins
schizonepeta
Scimitar bean
Scoparia dulcis
sea salt
seaweed
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
senna
Sensitive Plant
Servicetree
sesame
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
sheep's sorrel
Shen Qu
shiitake mushroom
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Sicklepod
siler root
Silkmoth
Sinigrin
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smartweed
smilax
Solanum anguivi
Solanum indicum
solomon's seal
Sophora
soursop
Southern Tsangshu
Spanish Needle
spearmint leaf
Spelt
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
Spilanthes
spinach
spruce
squawvine
Sterculia
Stereospermum
Stone Root
streptococcus thermophilus
suma
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Sweet Orange alcohol
Swertia
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Taka amylase
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tannase
Taraxacin
Taraxacum
Taraxol
Tarragon
Taurocholic acid
Tea
Teri Pod
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tiger Nut
Tinospora cordifolia
trace minerals
Tragacanth
Trametes
Transglucosidase
Traveler's Joy
tributyrin
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Triphala
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Ulmus
Vanilla
Varuna
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Veronica
Vervain
Vidanga
Viola
Violet
vitamin B
Walnut
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Watercress
Waterhyssop
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
wheat germ
wheat grass
White oak
Winter Savory
Wormseed
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xylanase
xylooligosaccharides
Xylose
Yacon
Yarrow
Yeast
Yellow Dock
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Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
Yerba mate
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by emodin

Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Constipation (adults)
Digestion (poor)
Gastritis
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Ulcers

Products containing emodin

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.