Are Rhubarb Leaves Poisonous?

Make a Natural Insecticide with the Leaves

Rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous due to the fact that they contain high levels of Oxalic Acid. Oxalic Acid is sometimes called "ethane diacid".

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The edible portion of rhubarb, the stalks, contain only a very low concentrate of oxalates, and are very safe to eat.

Oxalic acid is also found in safe amounts in cabbage, spinach, potatoes and peas, amongst others.

The fact that the leaves are considered to contain oxalic acid is NOT a reason not to enjoy eating rhubarb. The stalks are what is harvested to eat, not the leaves!

Scroll down for a recipe to make a homemade natural insecticide using your rhubarb leaves, and a link to many more recipes for natural and organic pesticides and insecticides.

Leaves of the Rhubarb Plant

Oxalic acid is a poisonous, colorless substance commonly used in products such as metal polishes, stain removers, bleaches, and anti-rust products.

Some of the symptoms of Oxalic Acid poisoning include, abdominal pain, collapse, convulsions, kidney problems, low blood pressure, mouth pain, shock, throat pain, tremors, vomiting, weak pulse. (Information Source: Medline Plus).

Use precautions when harvesting rhubarb by trimming the leaves from the stalks immediately, not using stalks from plants that have been "frost bitten", and washing the stalks before using them, and before preparing them for the freezer or for canning rhubarb.

Children should be taught to eat only the rhubarb stalks, (if they do not find the raw rhubarb too tart!), with adult supervision.

A Recipe for Natural Insecticide Using Rhubarb Leaves

Rhubarb Leaf - Rhubarb Leaves Used for Natural Insecticide

Boil 500 grams of rhubarb leaves in a few pints of water for about 20 minutes.

Allow leaf mixture to cool.

Strain the liquid into a CHILD PROOF/SAFE suitable container.

Add a tiny bit of dish detergent or soap flakes, (not laundry detergent).

Using a spray bottle, spray on leaves to kill off bugs such as aphids and spider mites, June bugs, and fungus diseases.

*NOTE - DO NOT spray this product on ANYTHING edible. Rhubarb leaves contain high amounts of oxalic acid, and are poisonous, and could cause death.

If you are interested in more recipes to make simple homemade Natural Pesticides and Insecticides, Go here

Here are additional pages within this website that provide helpful information about growing rhubarb in the home garden (or use the website's navigation bars):

TRANSPLANTING Rhubarb

Rhubarb COMPANION Gardening

More COMPANION Plant Ideas

HARVESTING Rhubarb

Rhubarb SEEDS

Rhubarb FLOWERS