Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rumex_crispus_vallee-de-grace-amiens_80_12062007_3.jpg
Plant family Polygonaceae
Parts used Tincture of rhizome (Chakraborty, 2005). Seeds (Grieve, 1971).
Constituents
Anthroquinone glycosides, tannins, oxalic acid and iron (Schaefer, Peters & Miller, 2014)
Qualities Bitter, slightly cold (Garran, 2008).
Actions
Mild laxative, cholagogue, depurative (Bone, 2003). Alterative, mildly tonic, seeds are astringent (Grieve, 1971). Bitter (Sarris & Jon, 2010).
Indications
Constipation that is accompanied by jaundice, or chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, indicates that liver function is suboptimal and the bile-stimulating action of R. crispus will be helpful along with its laxative properties (DeGrandpre, 2010).
R. crispus is considered among the mildest of the chemically-active herbal laxatives, least likely to cause bloating, cramping and discomfort, due to its very low concentration of the active constituent anthroquinone glycoside (Garran 2008).
Cautions/Contraindications
Presence of oxalates indicated caution should be exercised before prescribing to patients with a history of kidney stones (McGuffin, 1997). Presence of anthroquinones may give a practitioner pause in prescribing this herb in pregnancy. However, Rumex crispus might still be considered for women at this time because the anthroquinone content is very low, and R. crispus is a non-constipating source of iron- this mineral is particularly important in pregnancy (Garran, 2008). The herb should not be taken in combination with potassium-depleting diuretics as this may increased the risk for hypokalemia (Brinker, 2001); should also not be used with the drug Digoxin for this reason (Newall, Anderson & Phillipson, 1996).
Combinations
With flowers of Taraxacum officinale for liver and bowel disorders (Hoffman, 2003).
Dosage
Per day, 2.0-4.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract, per week 15-30 ml of 1:2 liquid extract (Bone, 2003).
References
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs (p. 482). St. Louis, Mo.: Churchill Livingstone.
Brinker, F. (2001). Herb contraindications & drug interactions. Sandy, Or.: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Chakraborty, S. (2005). An Easy and Interesting Textbook of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. B Jain Publishers.
DeGrandpre, Z. (2010). Botanical therapeutics. [S.l.: Lulu Com].
Garran, T. (2008). Western herbs according to traditional Chinese medicine. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. New York: Dover Publications.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
McGuffin, M. (1997). American Herbal Products Association's botanical safety handbook. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.
Newall, C., Anderson, L., & Phillipson, J. (1996). Herbal medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
Sarris, J., & Jon, W. (2010). Clinical Naturopathy: An Evidence-based Guide to Practice. Churchill Livingstone.
Schaefer, C., Peters, P., & Miller, R. (2014). Drugs during pregnancy and lactation (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier.