Description
In early spring, Desert rhubarb is one of the first plants to challenge the surrounding straw colored land by sending up small clusters of leaves from beneath the ground. The leaf tips, which are seen first, quickly progress into large, smooth, wavy-margined, deeply green leaves. At maturity these lower basal leaves are generally 1-2 feet long by 2-4 inches wide. They progressively become smaller and less abundant along the rising flower stalks. The flower clusters are similar to other Docks and are borne on central fleshy stalks. After maturing, the seeds become reddish, waiting in large clusters to be released by the wind. The whole plant is rather succulent and is able to withstand drought through numerous underground tubers, thus providing the upper portion with necessary water and nutrients in times of scarcity.
Distribution
Desert rhubarb can be found from western Texas to stretches of the Mohave Desert in California, south from Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, to Arizona and New Mexico. Look for the plant from 6,000 feet and lower in sandy and moist soils. Washes, fields, and roadsides are some of its favorite abodes.
Chemistry
Condensed and hydrolyzable tannins; chrysophanol, emodin, and physcion
Medicinal Uses
Desert rhubarb is used topically for its astringency. External preparations are tightening to surface tissues and will lessen skin irritation and redness from burns, rashes, and scrapes. The plant, being moderately hemostatic is applied well to superficial cuts in order to staunch bleeding. Although symptomatic in effect, it can be almost miraculous in limiting the spread of stress or chemical sensitivity induced rashes, probably through its inflammatory-prostaglandin mediating properties. In these cases, use the juice liberally as a paint. In addition, the juice as a mouthwash or gargle is soothing and astringing to mouth sores, bleeding gums, and sore throats.
Indications Cuts/abrasions/burns (external)
Rashes (external)
Sore throats/mouth sores (gargle)
Collection
During the late winter or early spring when Desert rhubarb’s leaves are just starting to show themselves, with a trowel, dig to a depth of about 1 foot, 6-10 inches beyond the outer leaves. Slowly work in to the central area underneath the plant. Depending on the softness of the soil, this can sometimes be done with hands alone. Along the way tubers of varying sizes will be found, some will be younger, pale, and flesh-colored, others will be darker, having a rust-brown coloration; also, some will be dried out, remnant tubers of the year before. Collect no more than half the tubers one plant has of both light and dark types. Next year, although diminished in strength the plant will again grow and flourish.
Preparations
The roots can be used in several different ways. To dry, thinly slice the tubers, and then lay out well spaced.
The following description describes how best to make Desert rhubarb root juice, which in many ways is the superior preparation. This method is an adaptation of a technique used by Peter Bigfoot: Wash and clean the roots well, as running small pebbles through a juicer is never a good idea. Dice the fresh tubers in ¼-inch pieces. Slowly in small handfuls juice the entire root; periodic cleaning of the metal juicer screen may be necessary as you progress, as the root fibers tend to collect there. Overall, this is a difficult root to juice and will challenge the best of juicers, but the result is worth it.
Pour the juice in a glass container; a mason jar works well. Place the covered Desert rhubarb juice in an area where it is easily observed but will not be disturbed. After several hours, the juice will form two layers. There will be a top layer, deeply rust brown, most likely tannic acid in solution and a bottom layer – mostly remnant pulp and bound tannins. After the two layers have separated fully, ladle off the top tannin layer and preserve it with 20% grain alcohol (4 parts juice to 1 part undiluted grain alcohol). Discard the remaining yellowish-orange pulp. The tannin solution does not need to be refrigerated.
Dosage Tannin juice/root powder/root decoction: externally as needed
Cautions
Externally, none known.
Other Uses
Some ethnobotanical literature cites Desert rhubarb tubers being used for food. Since they are so high in tannins, realistically this may be possible only after a ½-dozen changes of water, which itself is a highly valued and often scarce substance in most arid places where Desert rhubarb grows. If eaten fresh, directly from the ground Desert rhubarb’s high concentration of root tannins are so deranging to sensitive mucosal layers, which the mouth and gut are primarily lined with, even if an individual was starving, it would hurt more than help.
The fleshy flower stalks and leaf petioles can be eaten more liberally raw and also are used as a substitute for “true” Rhubarb. Carolyn Niethammer, in her book American Indian Food and Lore has a tasty recipe for Desert rhubarb pie. The young and tender leaves can be boiled through a couple of changes of water to remove the bitterness then eaten alone or with other greens.