Rhubarb Root Tincture

Rhubarb is such a wonderful springtime plant.  One of the first foods to come up in the cool spring weather.   We have quite a large patch of Rhubarb that we and our neighbors enjoy.  It's a nice time to visit and catch up on what happened over the winter, as we harvest.  Today we will be talking about the root, not the stalks.  The roots and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.  In Chinese Medicine rhubarb Root is used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer.  We also use this root in our Essiac formula.  
 
Rhubarb is used primarily for digestive complaints including constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, stomach pain, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and preparation for certain GI diagnostic procedures. Some people use rhubarb so they have to strain less during bowel movements; this reduces pain from hemorrhoids or tears in the skin lining the anal canal (anal fissures).