Limited evidenceGut health

Chinese Rhubarb Root

Chinese rhubarb contains anthraquinones, the same stimulant laxative class found in senna. One randomized trial supports the laxative effect, and it is not intended for daily long-term use.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Constipation Limited evidence
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in middle-aged adults found rhubarb extract improved constipation alongside gut microbiome changes. It is one trial of modest size, and the effect is what any anthraquinone laxative would be expected to produce.
Alternative delivery routes Limited evidence
A prospective randomized multicentre study of topical rhubarb navel plasters in chronic constipation reported improvement. The design was open-label with a weak comparator, so the result is hard to interpret.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe trial used a standardized rhubarb extract daily for about a month. Traditional decoctions use 1–5 g of root; higher amounts mainly add cramping.

SafetyStimulant laxatives cause cramping and potassium loss, and prolonged use leads to dependence and melanosis coli. Rhubarb is high in oxalate, so avoid with kidney stones or kidney disease, and avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, bowel obstruction and inflammatory bowel disease.

Scientific references

Constipation Mitigation by Rhubarb Extract in Middle-Aged Adults Is Linked to Gut Microbiome Modulation: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Neyrinck AM, Rodriguez J, Taminiau B — Int J Mol Sci, 2022
Topical therapy with rhubarb navel plasters in patients with chronic constipation: Results from a prospective randomized multicenter study
Wei L, Luo Y, Zhang X — J Ethnopharmacol, 2021

Where to buy

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