Origin

• Turkey rhubarb is native to China.china image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
  
  Turkey rhubarb, also known as China rhubarb, originated in China and was used in ancient Chinese medicine. It is called Turkey rhubarb because it had to travel through Turkey to be exported.
  
  Indian rhubarb is native to North America. It is much more expensive than Turkey rhubarb and is an ingredient in Rene Caisse's Essiac tea, which has been used in alternative medicine for decades. It grows especially well in Washington state.
  
  

Appearance

• Indian rhubarb exhibits larger, broader leaves than Turkey rhubarb.giant gunnera plant image by Benjamin Jefferson from Fotolia.com
  
  Turkey rhubarb has small rough leaves and can grow up to 10 feet tall. When the plant blooms, the blossoms are yellow. The flowers are greenish-white and the roots are edible. Turkey rhubarb grows quickly and he leaves are very poisonous.
  
  Indian rhubarb, also known as the umbrella plant, is lower to the ground and only grows to about 4 feet high. The flowers grow in pink clusters and the leaves are broad and rounded.
  
  

Root

• Rhubarb root varies in color depending on the species of plant.rhubarb image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  Turkey rhubarb root is brownish-yellow in color and is usually harvested in October. The root exhibits small white lines and the taste is bitter, although not as astringent as Indian rhubarb. Turkey rhubarb is larger than Indian rhubarb, which is more pink in color and has an extremely astringent taste.
  
  

Medicinal Purposes

• Both Turkey rhubarb and Indian rhubarb can be used to aid digestion.vitamins image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Both types of rhubarb are known to be digestive aids--they serve as gentle laxatives. Rhubarb is known to help constipation and assist digestion in small doses. In larger doses, it can be used as a cleanse, purging the digestive system of toxins. Indian rhubarb may help to fight cancer by killing cancerous cells, although scientific studies have not been done to support this claim.
  
  

Preparation

• Turkey rhubarb is commonly made into a tea in Chinese medicine.tea image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Turkey rhubarb root, which was used in ancient Chinese medicine, is dug up in October. The fibers are disposed of and the root is either ground into a powder or made into a tincture that will become tea.
  
  When used for medicinal purposes, Indian rhubarb is treated the same way. It can be mixed with other herbs and made into supplements or tea.