Turkey rhubarb, also known as Chinese rhubarb and Da Huang, is a flowering, herbaceous perennial native to the mountainous regions of western China. Like its North American cousin, the plant produces thick stalks from a large rhizome.
For more than 2,000 years, the roots of the plant have been used in China as a purgative and choleretic. In the west, the powdered herb is usually taken in supplement form to counter irregularity, although it can be prepared as a tea or tonic. Powdered Turkey rhubarb is also used topically for various skin conditions, often in combination with other powdered herbs like
Oregon grape,
licorice or
goldenseal root.
