Plant Name
Rheum maximowiczii Losinsk.
Botanical Info
Perennial, stems up to 150 cm heigh
Geography:
Central Asia: the Syr Darya and Pamir-Alai, Tien -Shan. Endemic. Found on clay and stony slopes from lower to upper mountain elevation zones.
Chemical Content
Roots. Carbohydrates: fructose, glucose, lactose, sucrose, raffinose. Phenols: pyrogallol, catechol, carvacrol. Phenol carbonic acids: caffeic, gallic, 4-metoxygallic . Catechins Tannins 8-37%, data on the dynamics are contradictory. Coumarins: ellagic acid. Leucoantocyanidins: stereoisomers of leucocyanidin and leucodelfinidin. Anthraquinones: emodin, franguloemodin. Leaves. Vitamins C and carotene.
Traditional Use and Activity
The underground part is used in the treatment of gastric diseases. Plant has antioxidant properties and P-vitamin-like activity. It is used to dye leather and wool in light-yellow, pink, brown and black. It is food coloring agent for tea substitutes. Leaves juice are used in the treatment of malaria and diarrhea. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and are used in the preparation of jams, marmalades, compotes, soups. Fruits are used as dying agents for natural meterial and food (cereals, soups) colouring agents. It is a honey plant and a feed.