What is Rheum Emodi? Benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Revand Chini - An Informative User Guide

Table of Content

1. Introduction

Revand Chini botanical name is Rheum Emodi, some other common names are Indian rhubarb, rawash, rheumemodi, and nettureval chini, it is a native of South-Eastern Russia. Rhubarb was introduced in Europe in comparatively recent times. It reached Britain only in the 16^th century. It is now cultivated to a limited extent in Indian and Central Africa. The word rhubarb originates from Latin.

Rheum Emodi is a tall perennial herb with very stout stems and roots that are large with radical leaves. The dried rhizomes, that is the underground stems producing roots and leaf shoots constitute the drug. The rhizomes should be collected from six- or seven-year-old plants just before the flowering season and the roots barks should be retained.

The Indian Rhubarb stalks show it to consist of a substantial amount of moisture, protein, fat, mineral, fiber, and carbohydrates. The mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin C. Its calorific value is 26.

The Indian Rhubarb chemical compositions are glucoside rhaponticin and chrysophanic acid. The chief constituents of the herb are anthraquinone derivatives. The roots contain Rhein and emodin, it also has an essential oil containing eugenol, terpene alcohol, and a product believed to be methyl hepty ketone. It is one of the oldest recorded herbal drugs, being mentioned in a Chinese herbal remedy dated around 2700 B.

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2. Ayurvedic properties of Indian Rhubarb (Revand Chini)

1. Rasa (Taste): It has a bitter taste (Tikta Rasa).

2. Virya (Potency): It is hot in nature (Ushna).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is pungent (Katu).

3. What are the Health Benefits of Revand Chini / Rheum Emodi?

The Rheum Emodi is pungent and bitter in taste, it increases secretion and discharge of urine and has hot potency. It has laxative, antipyretic, astringent, purgative, hemostatic, cathartic, anthelmintic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, and antiulcer properties.

For Constipation

In allopathic medicine, Rheum Emodi is used largely as a purgative, since it also contains tannins therefore after purgation it creates an astringent effect that causes constipation. It is thus suitable only in mild cases of constipation and not in chronic ones. It is milder than Senna leaves.

For Diarrhea

Due to astringent action, Rheum Emodi is beneficial in the case of Diarrhea caused by the presence of any irritating substance in the intestine.

Children Ailments

It is a valuable everyday remedy for ailments of children, it is a safe purgative and reduces excessive acidity in the digestive tract of children.

Rheum Emodi

It is useful in treating biliousness, lumbago, agitated mind, sore eyes, piles, chronic bronchitis, chronic fever, asthma and coryza, pains and bruises.

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4. How to use Rheum Emodi?

Dosage and uses depend upon the health problems and conditions or as recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. The general recommended dosage is 3-6 grams of Rheum emodi daily once a day.

Here are some home remedies for Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb

• Decoction of roots is beneficial in jaundice.
• Take 5 grams of Rheum Emodi root powder with aloe vera, Chebulic myrobalan, and aniseeds in lukewarm water. Helps to treat indigestion.
• Take Rheum Emodi root powder with dried roses pomegranate or gum of acacia is beneficial in diarrhea.
• Take Rheum Emodi root powder and mix it with rose water, make a smooth paste, and apply it on Freckles and other skin marks.
• Take Rheum Emodi root powder and mix it with fresh milk, which helps in Melasma.
• Apply Rheum Emodi root powder to the affected area of swelling and pain.
• Take 5 grams of Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb powder with water daily, which helps to treat constipation.
• Take Rheum Emodi root powder with honey, which helps to treat rhinitis and cough.

Apart from medicinal benefits, it is used in the preparation of jelly, sauces, beverages, and other desserts as a flavoring agent. The leaf stalks are sued in salads and vegetable cooking. Roots of Rheum Emodi are also used for dyeing red color on woolen and silk cloths.

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5. Side Effects 

All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’t have any side effects, but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have special health issues.

Some side effects are mentioned below

• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• If you are on diabetes or hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming.
• If you are suffering from kidney disease, consult the doctor first before consuming Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb with liquor, it may interact with it and cause drowsiness.
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb if you are suffering from diarrhea, bleeding per rectum, rectal prolapse, or fecal incontinence.
• It is not suggested for children below 12 years of age, the elderly, or physically or mentally weaker persons.
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb without a doctor’s prescription if you are suffering from chronic diarrhea.
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb without a doctor’s prescription if you had Kidney stones.
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb without a doctor’s prescription if you have Renal problems and gouty arthritis because it contains oxalic acid.
• Avoid consuming Rheum emodi if you have Liver related problems, as it may become worse.
• Do not take Rheum emodi / Indian Rhubarb without a doctor’s prescription if you are facing irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and appendicitis due to its purgative property.