Practical
Plants

Rheum australe

Himalayan Rhubarb

a perennial member of the Rheum genus in the family Polygonaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rheum
Life cycle
perennial
Height
3 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some if not all members of this genus contain significant quantities of oxalic acid and should not be eaten in any quantity. Oxalic acid can lock up certain minerals in the body, especially calcium, leading to nutritional deficiency. The content of oxalic acid will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[11].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaf stem - raw or cooked[8][2][5]. An excellent flavour that is something like apples[6][5] (this is likely to be a cooking apple!). The crop is sometimes blanched by excluding light from the growing stems, this produces an almost white stem that is free of fibre, crisp and less acid[6]. This species makes an excellent late crop[6]. The stems can also be made into a preserve or be dried and stored for later use[5]. One report says that the plant contains 0.32% rutin[12]. It does not specify which part of the plant, though it is likely to be the leaves[K].

Product or use
Rutin
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Rhubarb has a long and proven history of herbal usage, its main effect being a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system. It is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine[11]. The main species used is R. palmatum. Though the chemistry varies slightly, this species is used interchangeably[11]. The root is anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic[16][15][19][20][4][11][12]. Small doses act as an astringent tonic to the digestive system, whilst larger doses act as a mild laxative[9]. The root is taken internally in the treatment of chronic constipation, diarrhoea, liver and gall bladder complaints, haemorrhoids, menstrual problems and skin eruptions due to an accumulation of toxins[11]. This remedy is not prescribed for pregnant or lactating women, nor for patients with intestinal obstruction[11]. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of burns[11]. The roots are harvested in October from plants that are at least six years old, they are then dried for later use[16]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the dried root[9]. This is used especially in the treatment of diarrhoea in teething children[9].

Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves can be up to 1 metre in diameter, they are used as a lining material and also to cover and protect fruit in baskets[6][15]. A bright yellow dye is obtained from the root[14].

Product or use
Lining
Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Open slopes on rocky ground at elvations of 3200 - 4200 metres[18][14]. Grassy slopes at elevations of 3400 - 4300 metres in Tibet[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in autumn in a shaded cold frame[7]. The seed can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in the spring. Division in early spring or autumn[1][3]. Divide up the rootstock with a sharp spade or knife, making sure that there is at least one growth bud on each division. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[10]. Hardy to about -20°c[7]. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. The root is sold for medicinal purposes in local markets in the Himalayas[17][20]. Overgathering of this plant from the wild, both for food and for medicine, is becoming a cause of conservation concern[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  9. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  12. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  14. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  18. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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  19. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  20. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

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