Element: Earth Powers: Healing, Health Magical Uses: Carry to prevent heart disease Health: It has been used to treat diarrhea, cancer, fever and scurvy. It has culinary value as a garnish and a tart flavoring agent in salads and soups, and is one of the main ingredients in Chinese hot and sour soup. Medicinal uses are not supported by research, though it is reported that the anthraquinones stimulate peristalsis and increase mucous production in the intestines, which may promote diarrhea rather than curing it. It is one of the main ingredients in the folk cancer cure commonly known as Essaic.