Rheum palmatum, commonly called Turkey rhubarb, Chinese rhubarb, Indian rhubarb, Russian rhubarb or rhubarb root, is a highly regarded medicinal plant, known for its health benefits. Though native in the regions of western China, northern Tibet, and the Mongolian Plateau, Chinese Rhubarb was used immensely in other parts of the world, such as Europe, for hundreds of years before its source of plant identity was actually discovered in the 18th century. Rheum palmatum L. has many pharmacological actions, such as purgation, antibacterial, antitumor, antimutagenicity curing mental and renal disorders. In R. palmatum L., the bioactive components include anthraquinones, dianthrones, stilbens, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, organic acids, chromones and so on. Generally, anthraquinones (emodin, aloe-emodin and rhein) are the main effective components.