Rhubarb : health benefits and virtues
Rhubarb benefits and virtues
Native to Asia, rhubarb or rheum rhaponticum is a perennial plant that offers many health benefits and virtues.
Low in calories and rich in calcium, rhubarb is used in the composition of many desserts.
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- Gardening: cultivating rhubarb well
- Cooking: Rhubarb recipes
Rhubarb and its health benefits
It is almost always eaten cooked because of its high acidity, cooked rhubarb on the other hand melts and sours.
- They are not used much today, but rhubarb is known for its aperitif, tonic and purgative virtues. Rhubarb also has a clear effect on bile secretion.
- The tannins contained in rhubarb have astringent effects (in low doses), effective against diarrhea.
- Against kidney failure, rhubarb could be effective, research is underway in China.
- Finally, rhubarb contains a powerful inhibitor of the key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, which explains why rhubarb is traditionally used for excess cholesterol-related disorders.
In the past, not the petioles were consumed but the roots of rhubarb for its laxative virtues.
- Rhubarb root is also anti-bacterial and fights Staphylococcus aureus. When applied to boils, as a mouthwash against mucous membrane infections, rhubarb root works (almost) miracles!
Internal use
Rhubarb Infusion: 5 to 10 g of rhubarb powder for ¼ liter of boiling water In the morning, fasting as a purgative. Or cold maceration with double dose.
Rhubarb root powder: 1 to 4 g as a purgative and 0.5 g as a digestive tonic.
Rhubarb tincture: 200 g of crushed rhubarb. Macerate for 10 days in a liter of alcohol at 60% vol. Shake from time to time, then filter. 1 to 4 g as a tonic, 10 to 15 g as a purgative.
Rhubarb wine: macerate 60 g of root for 10 days in 1 liter of Grenache wine. Take 1 or 2 spoonfuls as a purgative.
Rhubarb syrup : composed of rhubarb, chicory, artichoke (perennial and decorative plant, whose fruit is orange), fumitory (medicinal plant that has an action on the digestive system, in particular on the gall bladder) and cinnamon. This syrup is also called "compound chicory syrup".
External use
Rhubarb flower decoction or root powder decoction: in the past, these decoctions were used to lighten the hair and give it a blonde color.
Rhubarb cultivation for its benefits
To grow properly, rhubarb needs rich, consistent, fresh, acidic and humus-rich soil. As for exposure: preferably in full sun.
- Gardening:
Beware of the toxicity of rhubarb leaves:
Never eat rhubarb leaves. They contain oxalic acid which can cause serious poisoning.
Rhubarb in the kitchen for its benefits
The nutritional intake of rhubarb
Rhubarb is rich in organic acids, fiber, calcium and magnesium. Rhubarb also has laxative effects.
Rhubarb petioles are cooked with sugar (like fruit) or sautéed with butter. Rhubarb is also used to make excellent cakes, jams, rhubarb marmalades and compotes.
Cooking: Rhubarb recipes
Gourmet idea:
Caramelized rhubarb with honey to accompany a pork loin... Hum, it's a real treat!
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