Rheum australe
Rheum australe
Family : Polygonaceae
Vernacular names : Chutsa (Am), Tarbu
bartar (Km); Padamchal, Chulthi amilo, Mirechuk (Dn,
Np); Amlaparni, Pitamulika (Sn).
Common name : Himalayan rhubarb.
Habitat & distribution : Open slopes; 3200-4200
m, WCE Nepal. Distributed in the Himalaya (Himachal
Pradesh to Bhutan), China (Xizang). Locally found in
Dokpa, Mukroman, Pungmo areas.
Diagnostic characters : Robust perennial herb,
with hollow stem and stout rootstocks. Leaves
orbicular, with heart-shaped base, long petioled; upper
leaves smaller. Flowers small, dark reddish-purple, in
terminal panicles. Fruit purple, winged.
Occurrence : Common.
Flowering & fruiting : Jun.-Jul. (fl), Jul.-Sep. (fr).
Parts used : Rootstocks & petioles.
Taste/Potency : Sour (kyur) & bitter
(kha)/ Neutral (nyom).
Use : Rootstocks in fracture,
sprain, indigestion, bloated stomach, sores, menstrual
and blood disorders, and bile fever. Also used for
colouring wool and as fixative. Petioles are used as
anthelmintic, and in gastritis and swelllings. Also used
as pickle.
Toxicity : Non-toxic.
Mode of use : Used singly or with other
herbs. Petioles are chewed raw to kill intestinal
worms. Also dried and stored for later consumption.
Chief constituents : Emodin, glucoside
rhapontien, chryosophanol, alueemodin, tannin and
catechin .
Harvesting : Rootstocks are harvested
during Sep.-Oct. and petioles during Jun.-Jul.
National status : Threat not known.
Local status : Highly vulnerable. Threat
is high due to unsustainable harvesting for trade.
Major documentation : Arya (1998), Chophel
(1993), CSIR (1972, 1986), Dawa (1993), HMG
(1970), IUCN (2000), Joshi and Joshi (2001),
Rajbhandari (2001).
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