Turkey Rhubarb
Herbal Action: This herb has been employed extensively as a cathartic. In smaller doses it has been used as a stomach tonic, increasing both salivary and gastric flow, for improving appetite and cleansing the liver by supporting bile flow, thermal burns and jaundice.
Medical Research/Uses:
The cathartic action of rhubarb root is caused by the glycosides. The specific ratio of the anthraquinone is of special interest because some of the derivatives have a dilating effect on the colon muscle, whereas others have a constricting effect upon the muscles. This whole process is further assisted by the tannins, which have an astringent action upon diarrhea. This makes rhubarb a very useful agent as a regulating cathartic for diarrhea as well as a laxative. Chrysophanol can be passed onto a child via the milk through breast-feeding.
Turkey Rhubarb has a stimulating effect on digestive and gallbladder flow. It also has an antibacterial effect on a large spectrum of bacteria, including staph and streptococcus. It has also shown to have an antifungal effect on Candida albicans.
