Contents
- Nutritional value and chemical composition of rhubarb
- What is useful rhubarb for the body
- What helps rhubarb
- Medicinal properties and contraindications of rhubarb root
- Is rhubarb good for weight loss
- The benefits and harms of rhubarb juice
- The benefits of rhubarb flowers
- Limitations and contraindications
- The use of rhubarb in traditional medicine
- The use of rhubarb in cosmetology
- Conclusion
The use of a plant such as rhubarb, the benefits and harms of which have been known for a long time, has been discussed to this day. The culture belongs to the buckwheat family. It has become widespread throughout Asia, from Siberia to Palestine and the Himalayan mountains. The plant is also grown in Europe.
Nutritional value and chemical composition of rhubarb
About 90% of the composition of the stems and leaves of the plant is water, the remaining 10% is carbohydrates, proteins, fats, ash and dietary fiber.
Nutritional value (per 100 g of raw materials):
- carbohydrates – 2,5 g;
- proteins – 0,7 g;
- fats – 0,1 g.
The plant also contains sugar (approximately 2%) and organic acids (up to 2,3%). Due to this, its petioles have an interesting taste with a pronounced sourness, slightly reminiscent of the taste of a green apple.
Vitamin content in rhubarb
Rhubarb stalks contain a huge amount of vitamins and useful trace elements in its composition:
Vitamin name | Content in 100 g | %DV |
potassium | 325 mg | 13% |
Vitamin C | 10 mg | 11,1% |
Calcium | 44 mg | 4,4% |
Magnesium | 17 mg | 4,3% |
Vitamin B9 | 15 μg | 3,8% |
Vitamin B2 | 0,06 mg | 3,3% |
Hardware | 0,6 mg | 3,3% |
Phosphorus | 25 mg | 3,1% |
Vitamin B6 | 0,04 mg | 2% |
Vitamin B5 | 0,08 mg | 1,6% |
Vitamin E | 0,2 mg | 1,3% |
Beta-carotene | 0,06 mg | 1,2% |
Vitamin A | 10 μg | 1,1% |
Vitamin PP | 0,2 mg | 1% |
Vitamin B1 | 0,01 mg | 0,7% |
Sodium | 2 mg | 0,2% |
By the number of vitamins and nutrients included in the composition, the plant can compete even with apples.
rhubarb calories
Rhubarb is considered a low-calorie food that is often recommended for weight loss. 100 g of the product contains only about 16 – 20 kcal, which is much lower than the calorie content of celery, dill or parsley.
What is useful rhubarb for the body
The juicy rhubarb stalks shown in the photo can bring both benefit and harm to the body. However, in the absence of personal contraindications, there are much more useful properties in this plant, the product is equally valuable for both women and men; even children and the elderly can use it.
Is rhubarb good for men
For men who are seriously involved in sports and improving their physical shape, this product will help in building muscle mass.
The benefits of the plant for older men is to strengthen the joints, bones and teeth. The presence of succinic acid in the composition also helps to strengthen the heart muscle in coronary heart disease.
Benefits of rhubarb for women
The product is able to bring great benefits to the female body, especially during menopause, accompanied by a natural decline in reproductive function, as well as physical and emotional discomfort. A large amount of calcium, which is part of the composition, will help get rid of nighttime hyperhidrosis, insomnia and mood swings.
The use of rhubarb powder helps to stabilize the menstrual cycle. Among other things, for a long time women have been using this plant in home cosmetology for face and body skin care, for nutrition and hair coloring.
Can rhubarb be pregnant
The product also benefits pregnant women, as it contains iron, calcium, magnesium and choline. Choline (Vitamin B4) contributes to the proper development of the baby’s brain in the mother’s womb. For the body of pregnant women, fresh rhubarb stalks are one of the best sources of this beneficial substance.
Potassium prevents bleeding. Calcium keeps the teeth and bones of pregnant women healthy, and, in addition, it takes part in the formation of the skeleton of the fetus.
Can children eat rhubarb
For the first time, the product can be given to a baby at the age of 10-12 months. It is of particular benefit to children suffering from constipation.
However, it is not recommended to give fresh leaves to children; rhubarb compote would be the best option for a child’s body. When a child reaches the age of two, syrup made from medicinal rhubarb stalks can also be used as a folk remedy for constipation.
Compote for baby food is prepared as follows:
- It is necessary to peel the petioles from the skin, squeeze the juice out of them.
- Mix the juice with boiled water and the juice of fruits familiar to the child.
Adding fruit juice will soften the sour taste of this healthy herb, which not all kids like. For the first time, the child is allowed to try only a few drops of compote, and then his reaction is monitored: if it is positive, then with each dose the portion of the drink is gradually increased.
Despite all the benefits, a high content of acids in the composition can provoke the formation of stones in the kidneys, gallbladder and bladder in a child. For children with gastritis with high acidity, the product can be dangerous, but for children with gastritis with low acidity, on the contrary, it is useful.
What helps rhubarb
Rhubarb is an excellent natural medicine. This is a plant that benefits the entire body. As an aid, it is recommended to use it for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
With diabetes
Rhubarb is considered a hypoglycemic product. In diabetes, this herb is good because it contains a small amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, but there are a lot of water, organic acids and vitamins.
For people with type XNUMX diabetes, the product is of particular benefit. It helps lower cholesterol and remove toxins from the body. The foliage of the plant stimulates the secretion of insulin in the pancreas. Xylitol supplements can also lower blood sugar levels.
In case of cancer
Eating rhubarb is a good prevention of cancer. To get the maximum benefit, it is recommended to use it pre-baked in the oven for 20 minutes. Baked petioles are characterized by a high concentration of natural substances that can destroy cancer cells. These substances are called polyphenols. Scientists even want to use the plant as the basis for new anti-cancer drugs.
Gout
Despite the obvious benefits, it is still recommended to refuse this medicinal plant for gout. A high concentration of organic acids in the composition can lead to a deterioration in the condition.
From pressure
The plant has long been used to lower blood pressure. The fiber contained in the herb helps to remove cholesterol deposits from the blood vessels and arteries, thereby lowering blood pressure.
For the cardiovascular system
Due to the cleansing of blood vessels from cholesterol with fiber, the use of this product also improves the functioning of the entire cardiovascular system. Iron and copper in the composition normalize blood circulation and activate the production of red blood cells.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of rhubarb root
As a rule, the rhubarb root ripens closer to the fourth year after planting. At the age of six, plants in the roots already accumulate a sufficient supply of nutrients.
The roots of this culture have a mass of medicinal properties, have a choleretic, astringent, laxative and anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Rhubarb is famous for many useful properties, but there are also contraindications for its use. The use of rhubarb roots is not recommended for stomach ulcers, intestinal obstruction, bleeding. The use of medicines from this plant can also harm pregnant women.
Benefits of rhubarb root for hepatitis
Due to its choleretic action, the root of this plant is beneficial in hepatitis. Its use contributes to the normalization of bile secretion in the liver. To treat this serious ailment, a decoction is most often used, the recipe of which is given below in the article.
In vitiligo
With vitiligo, it is recommended to lubricate lighter places on the skin three times a day with freshly squeezed rhubarb root juice. Over time, the juice will help darken these areas. However, it can tighten the skin and cause a feeling of dryness, so when applying the product to the face, it is better to mix it with nourishing creams or creams.
For constipation
Rhubarb is useful for constipation because it contains a bitter glycoside that irritates the receptors of the colon, which contributes to its rapid cleansing. As a laxative, an infusion from the root is most often used: its recipe is also given in the article. In addition to infusions and decoctions, tablets and powders are often used, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Is rhubarb good for weight loss
The plant contains from 16 to 20 kcal in the composition. From it you can cook many delicious and healthy dishes. Rhubarb makes an excellent base for low-calorie desserts. Thanks to this, it can become an indispensable assistant in the formation of a dietary menu.
Benefits of rhubarb for weight loss:
- purgation;
- normalization of metabolism;
- stimulation of the production of gastric juice;
- improve digestion;
- diuretic effect;
- elimination of edema.
The benefits and harms of rhubarb juice
Freshly squeezed rhubarb juice can only benefit the body when consumed in moderation. It contains a huge amount of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body, however, if you use more than 50-100 ml of juice per day, you can burn the intestinal walls and provoke the development of heartburn.
The benefits of rhubarb flowers
Rhubarb flowers also have beneficial properties: in China and Tibet, they have long been considered a healing delicacy, but in Our Country they are used very rarely. Stems, leaves and roots are used much more often in folk medicine.
Limitations and contraindications
Despite all the benefits to humans, rhubarb can also be harmful. Contraindications to the use of this plant are:
- stomach ulcer;
- acute appendicitis;
- cholecystitis;
- acute peritonitis;
- exacerbation of hemorrhoids with bleeding;
- the presence of stones in the gallbladder or bladder.
Rhubarb should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation. It is recommended to introduce the product into the diet in these cases only after consulting a doctor.
The use of rhubarb in traditional medicine
Having information about the benefits and harms of rhubarb, you can begin to master the recipes for the preparation of medicines. In folk medicine, the plant has long been widely used. There are many recipes for folk remedies that help to cope with a wide variety of ailments.
Recipe for a decoction used in hepatitis:
- chop 1 tbsp. l. rhubarb root;
- mix with 250 ml of boiling water;
- simmer for about 20 minutes over low heat;
- insist in warmth for 10 hours;
- strain.
The decoction is taken in 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals for 2 months. After that, you need to take a break of 2 weeks, and then repeat the course again. According to reviews, this recipe for a decoction of rhubarb root for hepatitis has the highest efficiency.
Constipation infusion recipe:
- dry and grind the rhubarb root;
- 2 tbsp. l. the resulting mixture pour boiling water;
- insist for 10 – 15 minutes;
- strain.
At night, drink 50 ml of infusion. It is impossible to use the infusion for too long, because over time the body will begin to get used to its effect, and the medicine will stop working.
In folk medicine, as a preventive measure for constipation, rhubarb tincture with alcohol is also often taken. To prepare it, you need:
- mix 20 g of dry and chopped rhubarb root, 20 g of calamus and 20 g of gentian;
- add 200 ml of 70% medical alcohol;
- insist within 10 days;
- strain.
Tincture is used for 1 tbsp. l. 1 time per day after meals.
When using tinctures and decoctions prepared according to these recipes, it is always necessary to evaluate the benefits and potential harm to the body that rhubarb can cause if there are certain contraindications.
The use of rhubarb in cosmetology
In addition to caring for the skin of the face and body with vitiligo, the plant is used in cosmetology mainly for dyeing blond hair. For this purpose, according to the following recipe, a decoction is prepared:
- Mix 20 – 30 g of dry chopped root in a saucepan with 250 ml of water;
- cook for 15 – 20 minutes without ceasing to stir;
- remove from fire, cool.
The resulting decoction is rinsed with hair. Rinse off is not required. Reviews of rinsing hair with rhubarb indicate that after the procedure, the hair acquires a delicate straw shade.
Conclusion
One of the best dietary products is rhubarb, the benefits and harms to the body of the stems, leaves and roots of this plant are incomparable. The plant contains in its composition a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. It is often used in cooking, traditional medicine and cosmetology.
