Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Rhubarb
For the health condition: Edema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum or Rheum officinale), known as "Da Huang" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for various conditions, including edema. In TCM, Chinese Rhubarb is classified as a purgative herb and is believed to promote the removal of "dampness" and "heat" from the body, which are thought to contribute to fluid retention and swelling (edema). The typical application involves using the root as a decoction or in combination with other herbs to enhance diuresis (the increased production of urine) and thereby reduce excess fluid in tissues.
From a scientific perspective, there is limited direct clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of Chinese Rhubarb specifically for edema. Some preclinical studies suggest that compounds in the rhubarb root, such as anthraquinones, may have mild diuretic or anti-inflammatory effects. However, these findings are not robustly translated into well-controlled human trials focusing on edema as a primary outcome. Most of the available data comes from its traditional use and case series or uncontrolled studies. Therefore, while traditional use is well-documented and forms the basis for its application, scientific validation remains limited to low-quality evidence and mechanistic studies.
In summary, the use of Chinese Rhubarb for edema is primarily justified by historical and traditional practices in TCM rather than by strong scientific clinical evidence.
Other ingredients used for Edema
anthocyaninsapricot
arjun tree
asparagus
waterhyssop
bamboo
bearberry
bilberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
bасора
cabbage leaf
celery
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fish protein
flavonols
forsythia
fu ling
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
hawthorn
hesperidin
horse chestnut
horsetail
Japanese sophora
jujube
lemon
lophatherum leaf
lovage
mannitol
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
papain
parsley
pear
pine bark
pineapple
potassium
protease
pumpkin
quercetin
rutin
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
triphala
trypsin
seaweed
watermelon
sarsaparilla
yellow root
uva ursi
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
punarnava
commiphora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
Szechuan lovage
goldenrod
prickly ash
lemongrass
silk tree
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
hydrangea
purslane
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
peach
white oak
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Aralia
Akebia
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Albizia
Ajuga
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aescin
Adzuki bean
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Arjunic Acid
Alisma
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
Bindweed
berry
Bogbean
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Casearia esculenta
Chinese Mountain Ant
Calotropis gigantea
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Chlorophytum
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Chanca Piedra
Corktree
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Diosmin
Danshen
Deer Root
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Flueggea suffruticosa
Flavonoids
Fang-Feng
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fungus
Fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
Flavoglycosides
Flavonones
Four leaved grass
Glycoside
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
Golden Shower Tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heather
Heartsease
Hygrophila
Hemidesmus
Hedyotis
Homalomena
Hellebore
Hyaluronidase
Hempnettle
Horsemint
Indian Sarsparilla
Ilex
Indian Kinotree
Joe-Pye
Jungli-bean
Knotgrass
Loquat
Ledebouriella
Lilium polyphyllum
Linden
Ligustilides
Luffa
Lodhtree
Lindera
Ligustrazin
Leptadenia
Large-Leaved Linden
Little ironweed
Loranthus
Lysimachia
Ligusticum
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Microtea debilis
Meadowsweet
Marigold
Manchurian Thorn
Maple
Microcos
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea nouchali
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Osthole
Phellodendron
Peptidase
Pagoda Tree
Plantago
Pluchea
Procyanidol
Poplar
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Proanthocyanidins
Proteolytic Enzymes
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Pyrrosia
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Persimmon
Physalis angulata
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
Pyrola
Petiveria
Palo Azul
Qin Jiao
Ruscus
Rockweed
Ruscogenins
Rubiaceae
Rubia yunnanensis
Rosa laevigata
Rumex acetosa
Rutosides
Rhubarb
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Silkmoth
Sesbania
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Scoparia dulcis
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Serrapeptase
Southern Tsangshu
Sanguisorba
Spiraea
Sarivan
Spatholobus
Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Scotch Broom
Stone Root
Sargassum
Servicetree
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tea
Tree of heaven
Taraxacin
Troxerutin
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Viola
Wax Gourd
White Heather
White Poplar
Wulinshen
Winter Begonia
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yellow Dock
Yin Chen
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Other health conditions supported by Chinese Rhubarb
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appendicitis
Blood in Stool
Blood Poisoning
Bloodshot Eyes
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Edema
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gonorrhea