Evidence supporting the use of: Rhubarb
For the health condition: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Synopsis

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

Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum and related species) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other herbal systems primarily for its laxative properties and to support digestive health. Historically, rhubarb root has been employed to relieve constipation, a common symptom in some forms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly IBS-C (constipation-predominant). The main active compounds, including anthraquinones such as emodin and rhein, are known to stimulate bowel movements by increasing intestinal motility and water secretion in the colon.

Despite this traditional use, robust scientific validation for rhubarb's effectiveness specifically in IBS is limited. Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that rhubarb extracts may improve certain gastrointestinal symptoms, but these studies are typically low in quality or not focused directly on IBS as defined by modern diagnostic criteria. Most evidence comes from its more general use as a laxative, rather than targeted studies on IBS populations. Furthermore, concerns exist regarding long-term safety, as chronic use of anthraquinone-containing laxatives may cause dependency or adverse effects on the colon.

In summary, while rhubarb has a long-standing traditional use for bowel complaints, including symptoms that overlap with IBS, there is a lack of high-quality scientific evidence to support its use specifically for treating IBS. Its use is therefore justified mainly by tradition, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness for IBS is modest at best.

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Products containing rhubarb

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