Ecballium elaterium vs Rheum officinale

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Ecballium elaterium

Digestive

Digestive

Ecballium elaterium

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Rheum officinale

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Mediterranean plant whose pressurized fruit squirts out highly purgative juice used historically for constipation.

Classic TCM herb (Da Huang) for constipation, liver conditions, and as anti-inflammatory; stronger than culinary rhubarb.

Active Compounds

elaterin, cucurbitacins, flavonoids

emodin, rhein, aloe-emodin, anthraquinones, tannins, stilbenoids

Traditional Uses

Constipation in Greek and Arab folk medicine, Headache nasal application, Liver conditions

constipation, liver conditions, inflammation, infections, diarrhea (small dose)

Modern Uses

Potent laxative, Anti-inflammatory

laxative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective

Adult Dosage

Very low doses only under medical supervision

1-3g dried root for laxative; 0.5-1g for digestive tonic

Contraindications

Pregnancy - abortifacient, GI inflammation, Renal disease, Extremely toxic plant

pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, kidney disease

Side Effects

Severe GI inflammation, death in overdose

diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, GI cramping, kidney stones with excess

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E