Rhubarb Root Powder (Rheum officinale; Da Huang) 1 lb: K

This is Frontier's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Some Frontier packs are double wall wax-lined paper. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture and syrup. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Rhubarb rhizome for 'Constipation.' '1,8-dihydroxy-anthracene derivatives have a laxative effect. This effect is primarily due to the influence of the herb on the motility of the colon, inhibiting stationary and stimulating propulsive contractions. This results in an accelerated intestinal passage and, because of the shortened contact time, a reduction in liquid absorption. In addition, stimulation of the active chloride secretion increases the water and electrolyte content of stool....' 'Dosage and Administration: Cut bark, powder or dry extracts for teas, decoction, cold maceration or elixir. Liquid or solid forms of medication exclusively for oral use. 20 - 30 mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives/day, calculated as rhein.' Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Astringent, tonic, stomachic, aperient. In large doses, Rhubarb powder acts as a simple and safe purgative, being regarded as one of the most valuable remedies we possess, effecting a brisk, healthy purge, without clogging the bowels and producing constipation, too often consequent upon the use of the more active purgatives.' 'It is especially useful in cases of diarrhoea, caused by an irritating body in the intestines: the cause of irritation is removed and the after-astringent action checks the diarrhoea.' 'Rhubarb in small doses exhibits stomachic and tonic properties, and is employed in atonic dyspepsia, assisting digestion and creating a healthy action of the digestive organs, when in a condition of torpor and debility.' 'The tincture is chiefly used, but the powder is equally effective and reliable.' Rhubarb when chewed increases the flow of saliva. 'Preparations and Dosages: Powdered root, 3 to 30 grains. Comp. powder, B.P. (Gregory's), 20 to 60 grains. Comp. pill, B.P., 4 to 8 grains. Solid extract, U.S.P., 4 grains. Solid extract, B.P., 2 to 8 grains. Tincture comp., B.P., ½ to 4 drachms. Tincture, U.S.P., 1 drachm. Tincture aromat., U.S.P., ½ drachm. Fluid extract, 10 to 30 drops. Syrup, B.P., ½ to 2 drachms. Infusion, B.P., ½ to 1 oz. Syrup, B.P. and U.S.P., ½ to 2 drachms. Arom. syrup, U.S.P., 2 drachms. Rheum, 1 to 4 grains.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Rhubarb is cathartic, astringent and tonic; as a cathartic, it acts by increasing the muscular action of the intestines, rather than by augmenting their secretions, and affects the whole intestinal canal, especially the duodenum. Its cathartic effect is succeeded by a mild astringency, which has gained for rhubarb the reputation of being secondarily a calmative, as well as a stimulant of the digestive canal; with its astringent influence, it likewise exerts for the most part, a tonic action on the stom