Yellow Dock

December 17, 2014Plant Profilesalterative

Botanical Name: Rumex Crispus | Family: Polygonaceae

Common name(s): Yellow Dock, Curly Dock, Broad-leaved Dock

GROWING

  • Perennial | zones 3-9 | 1-3 feet | numerous pale green drooping flowers, from June – July.
  • Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in the soil in single rows, about 8 inches apart.
  • Found in wet open fields. It’s found in the United States, Europe, and southern Canada.
  • Rich, sandy loam.

HARVESTING

  • Harvest the root in the fall of the second year.
  • Roots should be 8 – 10″ long and 1/2″ thick.

PREPARATION / DOSAGE

Infusion: Grind 1 – 2 teaspoons dry root into a powder and add to 1 cup boiling water. Cover and steep for 15-20 minutes.

Decoction: 1 – 2 teaspoons fresh or dried roots to 1.5 cups of room temperature water. Slowly bring to boiling (in a covered pan) over medium heat and turn down heat to barely simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let steep for another 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink.

Tincture: (Preferred method) take 2.5 – 5ml of tincture 3-4 x/day taken on an empty stomach.

MEDICAL

Constituents: anthraquinone glycosides, rumicin, chrysarobin, tannins, oxalates, vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorus

Actions: alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, mild laxative

Uses: anemia, skin diseases, liver congestion

Combinations: combines well with burdock roots and seeds, stillingia, red clover, and sarsaparilla root

CHINESE MEDICINE*

  • Bitter, sweetish, cool

SOURCES 

I don’t have any personal experience with yellow dock, yet!