RHUBARB

Synonym                                  :           Rheum , Rhizome , Rhei .

Biological Source                      : It consist of dried rhizome of

i)                    Rheum-Emod-wall ( Indian Rhubab)

ii)                   Rheum-palmatum

Scientific name              : Rheum-Emod-wall ( Indian Rhubab) , Rheum-palmatum

Family                          : Polygonaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  It is obtained from South east china , Tibet , korea ,

                                                    Kashmir , Sikkim , West-Germany .

Organolepti/ Morphological/Macroscopical character

                        i)    Colour        - Ground /  Yellow

                        ii)   Odour        - Charecteristics .

                        iii)  Taste          - Bitter and Astringent .( Sour with bitter taste).

                        iv)  Size            -  Pieces of Rhubarb are 2-20cm in length and 1.5-2 cm in

                                                      diameter.

                        v)  Shape          -  Rhizomes are sub-cylindrical , barrel-shaped , conical .

Chemical Constituents : It contains anthraquinone – glycoside , Aloe-emodin , Emodin ,

                                        Rhein , Cinnamic acid , Gallic acid , anthrone , tannin etc.

Identification Test

a)      By addition  of Ammonia – it gives pink-colour .

b)      With 5% KOH ( Pottassium Hydroxide) blood red colouration is produced .

c)    Born Tagger Test - It is  a test for Anthraquinone Glycoside .

          

       Boil the leafs with diluted Hydrozen Sulfuric Acid (       ) . Add immisable organic solvent ( Benzene Carbon Tetra Chloride ) . Shake the test tube and separate upper organic solvent in another test tube . Now add streong Ammonia solution . Shake slightly and keep the test tube Asite . Ammonical layers show pink or red colour .   

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    It is used as purgative , better-stomachie( an agent that improves appetite & digestion ) in the treatment of Diarrhoea .

ii)                   It contains Tannins and hence it is associated  with theb Astringent ( Drug causes contraction of body tissues and canals ) effect after purgation ( cleaning or evacuation of bowel or stool by a purgative ) .