The Turkey Rhubarb Root and Formula
     A.K.A. Chinese Rhubarb, Da huang, Turkey Rhubarb

Originating from northwest China and Tibet, Rhubarb has been used in medicine for more than 2,000 years and is considered one of the strongest herbs in Chinese Medicine.    The Chinese call the root Da huang, which means "big yellow" which is the color of Rhubarb"s tinctures and decoctions.   Its use gradually spread through India, reaching Europe during the Renaissance overland via Asia Minor " hence the common name, Turkey rhubarb.    The plant was a favorite remedy with early Persian and Arabian physicians.    The Rhubarb grown for cooking and eating is usually r. rhabarbarum, an 18th-century cultivar.

Turkey rhubarb has an organ-affinity with the intestines and colon and so assists them in their function.   The parts of Rhubarb used are its roots and stalks and its effectiveness is controlled by the amount taken.  When taken in small doses, it has a tonic effect as a blood builder and blood cleanser.  It increases salivary and gastric flow, improves appetite and cleanses the liver by encouraging bile flow.    Rhubarb, by its cleansing action, encourages the healing process of duodenal ulcers and enhances gallbladder function.

The primary chemical constituents of Rhubarb include anthraquinones, chrysophanol, emodin, physcion, sennidine, rheidine, palmmidine, tannins, catechin, gallic acid, oxalic acid, rutin, phytosterol, and calcium oxalate. It is the anthraquinones that contribute to the laxative and purgative properties of Rhubarb, yet the tannin content helps balance those properties, and even stops diarrhea. Chinese research is investigating Rhubarb's ability to possibly inhibit cancer cells.

The principal energetic health properties of turkey rhubarb are found in its roots. These roots are regularly utilized to detoxify and cleanse the body. The roots from second and third year plants should be used because they have reached their maximum effectiveness as purgative agents for cleansing and detoxing.

In large doses, Rhubarb can be used for emptying the bowels thoroughly.  Rhubarb supports the colon as a laxative in constipation and as an astringent in case of diarrhea.    The A-factors (anthraquinones) of this herb differ somewhat from those of Cascara Sagrada - only some of them reach the large intestines intact, while others are re-absorbed in the small intestine, and later released into the large intestine.    The timing of the absorption of Rhubarb is thus displaced to some degree from other popular laxative agents, thereby promoting longer and smoother activity of the complete system.    It should be noted that consumption of Rhubarb Root may color the urine yellow or red, but this is not concerning. In small amounts, Rhubarb Root is used for relief of diarrhea.   Rhubarb is also helpful to prevent and to eliminate hemorrhoids.

The Turkey Rhubarb Formula

Dr. John Ray Christopher (1909 to 1983), created the Turkey Rhubarb formula along with an estimated 50 other herbal formulas.   He was considered the premier authority in the use of herbs and natural healing techniques in the United States.    A Thompsonian herbalist, Dr. Christopher wrote numerous books on herbalism and he was the founder of The School of Natural Healing.

The Turkey Rhubarb Formula can liberate your body from the accumulated toxins and poisons that can bring on distress while leaving you feeling healthier than you have in years. This formula is a moderate, efficient, non addictive combination of time proven herbs. It sanitizes and soothes the colon and gastrointestinal tract while removing old fecal matter. This powerful yet gentle herbal formula has a tonic effect on the body and mind while the herbs build and cleanse the blood.

This formula encourages consistent, natural and thorough bowel movements:

Turkey Rhubarb root, Cascara Sagrada bark, Senna leaf, Psyllium seed, Barberry root bark, Cape Aloe leaf, Slippery Elm inner bark, Habanero Cayenne pepper.

Note:
It is generally considered a mild laxative that produces a soft stool six to ten hours after ingestion. Rhubarb is especially well suited for children since it is very mild in action.   We suggest the syrup form of this formula for children called Colon Cleanse Syrup.

Uses:
Amenorrhea, Anemia, Boils, Constipation, Diarrhea, Digestion Aid, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Gallbladder, Headaches, Hemorrhages (internal), Hepatitis, Jaundice, Liver Problems, Menstruation (promotes), Skin Eruptions (boils/pustules), Stomach, Ulcers (duodenal), Worms (ring/pin/thread)

Turkey rhubarb is a component herb of the famous anti-cancer blend Essiac, along with sheep sorrel, slippery elm and burdock root.

Contraindications:
This product is not recommended during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding as it can loosen the infant's bowels. Do not use when the colon is already empty or the astringent properties may cause colon discomfort. Using Rhubarb Root may temporarily cause the urine to appear yellow or red, but this is a common occurrence and no cause for alarm.   Do not take rhubarb or any other stimulant laxative if you take Lasix (furosemide); the combination can lead to potassium depletion.

Note: Use only the root and stalk in herbal preparations.   The Rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous as they contain a high quantity of oxalic acid in them, posing a danger for both man and animal.

Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
A Thai Herbal, by C. Pierce Salguero, Published by Findhorn Press, 2003
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley

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