Dà Huáng (大黄) — Chinese Rhubarb Root
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Dà Huáng (大黄) — the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum or R. tanguticum — is the most important purgative herb in Chinese medicine. It belongs to the category of Downward-draining herbs. Beyond its purgative action it is also a powerful Blood mover and Heat clearer, making it useful in conditions far broader than constipation alone. Preparation method dramatically alters its action: raw Da Huang is a strong purgative; wine-fried it primarily moves Blood; charred it stops bleeding.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dà Huáng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 大黄 |
| Latin name | Rheum palmatum / R. tanguticum |
| English name | Chinese rhubarb root |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Heart |
| Category | Downward-draining herbs (purgatives) |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Drains Heat and unblocks the bowels
- Drains Fire and clears Heat-Toxin
- Invigorates Blood and breaks Blood stasis
- Clears Damp-Heat (jaundice, urinary problems)
- Cools Blood and stops bleeding (when charred)
Indications
- Constipation from Heat with abdominal fullness, dry stools, fever
- Acute appendicitis, intestinal abscess (with Mu Dan Pi)
- Blood stasis — dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, traumatic injury
- Damp-Heat jaundice
- Heat-toxin sores, burns (topical)
- Bleeding from Heat (haemoptysis, epistaxis, GI bleeding) when charred
4. Key formulas containing Dà Huáng
- Da Cheng Qi Tang — major purgative formula for Yangming Fu syndrome
- Xiao Cheng Qi Tang — minor purgative
- Tao He Cheng Qi Tang — Blood stasis in the lower jiao
- Ma Zi Ren Wan — mild moistening purgative
- Yin Chen Hao Tang — Damp-Heat jaundice
5. Modern research
Active constituents include anthraquinones (rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol) responsible for its laxative action via stimulation of intestinal motility, and stilbenes with anti-inflammatory activity. Modern research demonstrates anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects. Rhein in particular has been studied for chronic kidney disease, where it modulates fibrosis pathways.
6. Cautions
Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Contraindicated in Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold without Heat or stagnation. Use cautiously and short-term only; long-term use of stimulant laxatives causes dependence and electrolyte disturbance. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Da Huang within tailored formulas for acute Heat constipation, Blood stasis disorders and as a small adjunct in chronic Damp-Heat formulas. I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online consultations are available.
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