Overview

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) is a plant. Its stalk is commonly eaten. Its root and underground stem are used in traditional Chinese medicine combinations.

Rhubarb contains chemicals that might help heal cold sores and reduce swelling. Rhubarb also contains fiber, which might help reduce cholesterol levels and affect stomach conditions.

People use rhubarb for diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion, symptoms of menopause, menstrual cramps, obesity, swelling of the pancreas, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Symptoms of menopause. Taking a rhubarb root extract by mouth seems to improve symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, mood, quality of life, and fatigue.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Taking rhubarb by mouth or rectally might help reduce pain and other symptoms of pancreatitis. It might also reduce the length of a hospital stay for pancreatitis.
There is interest in using rhubarb for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Rhubarb stalk is commonly consumed as food. Rhubarb root and rhizome are possibly safe when taken in medicinal amounts for up to 2 years. Rhubarb stalk is possibly safe when taken in medicinal amounts for up to 4 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps.

Rhubarb leaves are possibly unsafe. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and death.

When applied to the skin: Rhubarb is possibly safe.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Rhubarb stalk is commonly consumed as food. Rhubarb root and rhizome are possibly safe when taken in medicinal amounts for up to 2 years. Rhubarb stalk is possibly safe when taken in medicinal amounts for up to 4 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps.

Rhubarb leaves are possibly unsafe. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and death.

When applied to the skin: Rhubarb is possibly safe.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Rhubarb is commonly consumed in foods. Rhubarb is possibly unsafe when used in greater amounts. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: Don't take rhubarb if you have a bowel obstruction, appendicitis, unexplained stomach pain, or inflammatory conditions such as Crohn disease, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Kidney disease: There are chemicals in rhubarb that might harm the kidneys or increase the risk of kidney stones. If you already have kidney disease, avoid rhubarb.

Kidney stones: Rhubarb contains a chemical that the body can convert into kidney stones. If you have ever had kidney stones, don't take rhubarb.

Liver problems: Rhubarb can make liver function worse in people who already have liver problems. People who have liver problems should avoid rhubarb.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of digoxin side effects.

  • Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Some medications for inflammation, called corticosteroids, can also decrease potassium levels. Taking these products together might cause potassium levels to drop too low.

  • Medications that can harm the kidneys (Nephrotoxic drugs) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb might harm the kidneys. Some medications can also harm the kidneys. Taking rhubarb with a medication that can harm the kidneys might increase the risk of kidney damage.

  • Stimulant laxatives interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Taking rhubarb with other stimulant laxatives might cause more diarrhea and very low potassium levels.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb can work as a laxative. In some people, rhubarb can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, do not take excessive amounts of rhubarb.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb is a laxative. Some laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking rhubarb along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.

  • Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with RHUBARB

    Rhubarb might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking rhubarb along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

  • Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with RHUBARB

    Taking rhubarb and cyclosporine together might reduce the levels of cyclosporine in the blood. This might reduce the effects of cyclosporine.

Dosing

Rhubarb stalk is commonly eaten in foods.

As medicine, rhubarb root and rhizome are used in many different types of products, including powders, extracts, creams, solutions, and enemas. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.