Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus
Brief
Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, aperient, antiseptic, astringent, blood tonic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, laxative, tonic
Parts Used
Roots
Medicinal Properties
Though introduced from Europe, yellow dock root was widely used by the Native Americans. This herb was included in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1863-1905. It clears toxincs, moves stagnation, promotes bowel cleansing and bile flow, reduces inflammation, and inhibits the growth of E. coli and staph. Yellow dock helps to free up iron stored in the liver, thus making it more available to the rest of the body. As a tea, it aids in the digestion of fatty foods.
Yellow dock is used in the treatment of acne, anemia, appetite loss, arsenic poisoning, arthritis, boils, cn cer, catarrh, constipation, dermatitis, eczema, glandular tumors, indigestion, jaundice, leprosy, liver congestion, lumbago, lymph node enlargement, malabsorbtion, psoriasis, rheumatism, scrofula, sore throat, and syphilis. It also is used to encourage convalescence.
Topically, yellow dock can be used as a poultice to soothe stings from nettle plants and as a poultice or salve to treat athlete’s foot, boils, eczema, hives, itchy skin, ringworm, scabies, skin infection, swellings, ucers, and wounds. It can be prepared as a tooth powder to treat gingivitis or a gargle to treat laryngitis. It also can be made into a douche or bolus to treat vaginitis.
Edible Uses
The leaves and peled stems are nutritive. Eat them in spring and late fall. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a pot-herb. Older leaves need to be soaked or cooked in two changes of water to remove bitterness. The leaves have a flavor similar to that of rhubarb and can be used in pie. The seeds are used as a grain; they are usually dried, threshed, and ground into flour. They can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
Constituents
Calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur, anthraquinones, glycosides (nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol), quercitrin, mucilage, tannins, resins, oxalates
Contraindications
Yellow dock leaves are high in exalate, which can impair calcium absorption and potentially aggravate kidney stones, arthritis, gout, and hyperacidity. Large amounts of the root or leaves may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In rare cases handling the plant may result in contact dermatitis.
The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Brigitte Mars, 2007