Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) – Powerful TCM Herb for Detox, Digestion, and Damp-Heat Clearing

Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) is a potent purgative herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine used to promote healthy elimination, clear heat-toxins, and support blood circulation. Explore how it works, what formulas it's used in, and why it remains a top detox herb after 2,000 years of use.

QUICK FACTS ON DA HUANG

• Chinese Name: Dà Huáng (大黄)

• Botanical Name: Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale

• English Name: Rhubarb Root

• Part Used: Root and rhizome

• TCM Category: Purgative Herbs

• Taste: Bitter

• Temperature: Cold

• Meridians Entered: Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Heart

• Primary Actions: Drains heat, purges bowels, clears toxins, invigorates blood

• Forms Available: Sliced root, powder, extract powder (10:1)

Detox Done Right—This Is the TCM Herb That Gets Things Moving

Feeling sluggish, bloated, or overheated? Don’t reach for synthetic laxatives—reach for Da Huang, the ancient Chinese root known for its powerful yet balanced ability to clear the gut, flush toxins, and reset the system.

Used in some of the oldest recorded herbal formulas, Da Huang doesn’t just “move the bowels.” It invigorates blood, cools inflammation, and supports the body’s natural detox processes—all without the harsh rebound effects of commercial stimulant laxatives.

Ready to feel lighter, clearer, and cleaner? Let’s dig in.

TCM THEORY: HOW DA HUANG WORKS

Da Huang is the chief herb in the Purgatives category, making it ideal for acute, excess-type conditions. It works by:

Draining heat and fire through the intestines
For constipation with abdominal fullness, fever, or tongue coating

Clearing damp-heat from the Liver and Stomach
For jaundice, food stagnation, or oral ulcers

Removing blood stasis
Especially post-trauma or in gynecological stagnation

Detoxifying the body and cooling the blood
Common in formulas for skin eruptions, boils, or internal heat

Short decoction times (10–15 min) preserve its purgative anthraquinones. Longer boiling shifts its action to more blood-invigorating and anti-inflammatory.

 SUGGESTED USE & PREPARATION

➤ Decoction:

• Use 3–12g dried root slices

• Simmer for 10–15 minutes only

• Take once in the morning on an empty stomach

➤ Powder:

• Use 1–2g in warm water or capsules

➤ Extract Powder (10:1):

• 500mg–1g daily equals approx. 5–10g raw herb

COOKING USE: DETOX CLEANSING SOUP

Da Huang Digestive Reset Soup (short-term use only)

Ingredients:

• 6g Da Huang

• 5g Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange)

• 3g Huang Qin (Scutellaria)

• 1g Licorice Root

• Optional: 1 tsp miso or ginger to soften purgative effect

Instructions:
Boil herbs in 3 cups water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1 small bowl in the morning for 2–3 days max.

SHOP THIS HERB

Da Huang (Rhubarb Root)
✔ Available in sliced root, powder, or extract
✔ Wildcrafted or sustainably cultivated
✔ Lab-tested for potency and safety
✔ Packaged in a certified GMP facility

Order Da Huang from 1st Chinese Herbs »  See all forms below 

RESULTS TIMELINE

WHO SHOULD USE DA HUANG?

✔ People experiencing occasional heat-type constipation
✔ Those needing short-term detox support
✔ Individuals with skin eruptions from internal heat
✔ Herbalists blending formulas for blood stasis or damp-heat
✔ People doing seasonal or food-based cleanses

⚠ CAUTIONS

• Not for long-term use—intended for short courses only

• Not recommended during pregnancy, menstruation, or breastfeeding

• May cause cramping or loose stools in excess

• Avoid if you have cold-type deficiency, diarrhea, or low vitality

• May interact with medications—consult your herbalist

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

“Da Huang is my go-to herb when I feel sluggish and backed up. It’s fast, natural, and works better than over-the-counter laxatives.”
— Kelly R., Nevada

“I use Da Huang in my seasonal detox soups for 2–3 days and always feel refreshed.”
— M. Chou, Licensed Acupuncturist

COMPARE WITH SIMILAR HERBS

HISTORY & FOLKLORE

Da Huang has been used in Chinese medicine since before the Han Dynasty, first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing around 200 BCE. It was revered not just for its purging action but for its ability to "drive out evil heat from the organs"—an early concept of detoxification.

It was such a valuable export that rhubarb root was traded along the Silk Road and was once required on British naval vessels as part of the medicinal chest. This humble root has a global reputation for moving what’s stuck—both physically and energetically.

❓REAL SEARCH QUESTIONS CONSUMERS ASK

Q: Is this the same rhubarb I bake with?
A: No. Culinary rhubarb is Rheum rhabarbarum. Da Huang is from Rheum palmatum, with different chemical constituents and medical actions.

Q: Will Da Huang cause cramping?
A: It may, especially in high doses or if used long-term. Pair with Licorice Root or ginger to soften the effect.

Q: Is Da Huang good for skin eruptions?
A: Yes, it’s often used in formulas to clear heat and toxins that manifest on the skin—but it’s not for chronic conditions unless advised by a practitioner.

Q: How often can I use Da Huang?
A: Use only for 1–3 days at a time unless advised by an herbalist. Long-term use is not recommended.

Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) is a powerful herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine used to support healthy elimination, clear internal heat, and promote detoxification. Known for its bitter and cold nature, it helps purge stagnation from the digestive tract, invigorates blood circulation, and supports short-term cleansing protocols. Ideal for occasional use, Da Huang is trusted by herbalists for its fast-acting effects on bowel regularity and internal cleansing. Sourced, tested, and packaged to ensure potency and purity.

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MODERN RESEARCH ON RHUBARB ROOT

Modern studies support Da Huang's traditional actions:

• Anthraquinones (emodin, rhein) stimulate peristalsis
  PMID: 18083341

• Liver and gut detox support
  Protects liver cells from toxicity while increasing bile flow
  PMID: 23811433

• Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
  PMID: 31446259

• May inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce intestinal permeability
  PMID: 27039455