How to Use Rhubarb for Health

Rhubarb is a plant with a stiff texture and a unique flavor, tart and sweet. In the rural Midwest, rhubarb shows up frequently on dinner tables. Its history dates back 2,000 years to ancient Chinese medicine. Marco Polo brought rhubarb to Europe where it found its way into folk remedies. A look at its main medicinal uses can aid in rediscovering the health benefits of rhubarb.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh rhubarb stalk
• Powdered rhubarb root
• Liquid rhubarb extract

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Instructions

• 1

  Move bowels. Fresh rhubarb stalk is a great source of dietary fiber. Expect action 8 hours following ingestion.

• 2

  Extinguish heartburn. Eat a cold piece of rhubarb stalk. The soothing juice combined with saliva neutralizes stomach acid and restores health.

• 3

  Lower cholesterol. Eat a daily helping of fresh rhubarb stalk, or take 27 grams of ground stalk per day. Rhubarb is particularly effective in reducing the low density lipoproteins that cause poor health.

• 4

  Calm hot flashes. Take 4 milligrams of rhubarb extract daily. Hot flashes will diminish within 3 months.

• 5

  Battle bacteria. Rhubarb inhibits staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria enter broken skin and cause infection. Moisten rhubarb powder with water to make a paste. Apply it topically.