Monk's Rhubarb

(Rumexalpinus L., Polygonaceae)

Also Called: Garden Patience.

Description: Large perennial herb with thick, much branched rhizome, yellow internally.
Leaves heart-shaped up to 50cm (20in) long and 20cm (bin) wide with long petioles.
Stem up to 1 m (3ft) high bearing numerous small greenish-yellow flowers arranged in crowded panicles.
Broad dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) is sometimes used and popularly named as Monk's Rhubarb; the two plants are similar but the flowers of R. obtusifolius are borne in less crowded panicles and are tinged with red.

Part Used: Dried rhizome (monk's rhubarb).

Habitat and Collection: Introduced in Britain, in hilly districts of northern England.
Throughout the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, often in large quantities near buildings.
Rhizomes are collected in autumn, washed well, the larger roots sliced longitudinally, and dried in the sun.

Constituents and Action: Laxative principles resembling those of medicinal rhubarb or senna (anthraquinone derivatives); a little tannin.

Usage: As a purgative in place of rhubarb, senna or buckthorn.
Taken generally in powder form (1 -4 knife-pointfuls twice daily), rarely as a tisane (a teaspoon-ful of powdered drug infused with 2 cupfuls of water).