Tinctura Rhei. U. S. (Br.) Tincture of Rhubarb. Tr. Rhei. ++ Tinctura Rhei Aromatica. Aromatic Tincture of Rhubarb.

Related entries: Rheum

Tinctura Rhei Composita, Br., Compound Tincture of Rhubarb; Teinture (alcoole) de Rhubarbe, Fr. Cod.; Rhabarbertinktur, G.; Tintura di rabarbaro, It.

*"Rhubarb, in No. 40 powder, two hundred grammes [or 7 ounces av., 24 grains], Cardamom Seed, in No. 40 powder, thirty grammes [or 1 ounce av., 25.5 grains], to make one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6½ fluidrachms]. Prepare a Tincture by Type Process P, using a mixture of one hundred mils [or 3 fluidounces, 183 minims] of glycerin, five hundred mils [or 16 fluidounces, 435 minims] of alcohol and four hundred mils [or 13 fluidounces, 252 minims] of water as the first menstruum and completing the percolation with diluted alcohol." U. S.

"Rhubarb, in No. 20 powder, 100.0 grammes; Cardamom .Seeds, in No. 20 powder, 12.5 grammes; Coriander Fruit, in No. 20 powder, 12.5 grammes; Glycerin, 100.0 millilitres; Alcohol (45 per cent.) sufficient to produce 1000.0 millilitres. Moisten the solid ingredients with one hundred millilitres of the Alcohol, and prepare, by the percolation process, eight hundred and fifty millilitres of tincture. Add the Glycerin, and sufficient of the Alcohol to produce the required volume." Br.

This tincture was doubled in rhubarb and cardamom strength in the U. S. P. (8th Rev.). The tincture of rhubarb on standing deposits a yellow precipitate. This has been shown by James T. King (A. J. P., xlii) to be in most cases largely composed of chrysophanic acid. He proposed to remedy this by the use of a stronger alcohol, or, as recommended by J. B. Moore (A. J. P., xlv, 306), by the substitution of glycerin for a portion of the alcohol. We have not found that either of these plans entirely prevents precipitation, although glycerin is an aid in this direction.

Dose, from one to two fluidrachms (3.75-7.5 mils).

Off. Prep.—Mistura Opii et Rhei Composita, N.F.

Tinctura Rhei Aromatica. U. S.

Aromatic Tincture of Rhubarb. Tr. Rhei Arom.

Teinture (alcoole) de Rhubarbe aromatique, Fr.; Aromatische Rhabarbertinktur, G.

"Rhubarb, in No. 40 powder, two hundred grammes [or 7 ounces av., 24 grains]; Saigon Cinnamon, in No. 40 powder, forty grammes [or 1 ounce av., 180 grains]; Clove, in No. 40 powder, forty grammes [or 1 ounce av., 180 grains]; Myristica, in No. 40 powder, twenty grammes [or 308.6 grains], to make one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces. 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Prepare a Tincture by Type Process P, using a mixture of one hundred mils [or 3 fluidounces, 183 minims] of glycerin, five hundred mils [or 16 fluidounces, 435 minims] of alcohol and four hundred mils [or 13 fluidounces, 252 minims] of water as the first menstruum and completing the percolation with diluted alcohol." U. S:

This is the tincture which is used in making the aromatic syrup of rhubarb. It is preferable to separate the preparations, as it is occasionally desirable to prescribe the tincture without the admixture with syrup, while the pharmacist will always prefer to make the tincture in quantity and keep it on hand, since it is permanent, and add to it syrup to make the aromatic syrup when needed.

Dose, for an adult, from one-half to one fluidrachm (1.8-3.75 mils).

Off. Prep.—Syrupus Rhei Aromaticus, U. S.


The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.