Bastard Rhubarb

Rhubarb is also called the great round leaved dock. It is the garden rhubarb, which every body knows. And what is said of the virtues of the foreign rhubarb, may be said of this in degree. Culpeper has written many absurd things about rhubarb. I will not disfigure this book with them; but extract the best.

The juice of the leaves or roots or the decoction of them in vinegar, heals scabs and running sores. A decoction of the seed eases pains in the stomach, and strengthens it, by increasing the appetite. The root strongly decocted is a good wash for scrofulous sores, etcetera. And taken inwardly, it removes obstructions of the liver, and cools the blood.

In short garden rhubarb differs not from the foreign, except the latter is more powerful.garden rhubarb, used as food, has a slight aperient action upon the bowels. In some cases, this may be beneficial; but those who have tender bowels had better abstain from it. Some mix with it a little ground ginger in puddings, pies, etcetera., which counteracts that tendency. It is a very wholesome and cooling diet. Its agreeable acid depends on the presence of the oxalic (slightly) and malic acids, which it abundantly contains. Persons subject to urinary irritation should take it very sparingly, or not at all.