Community > Herb of the Week
Yellow Dock Root
Shraddhananda:
Yellow Dock, Rumex Crisps - also known as Sour Dock, Narrow Dock and sometimes "narrow-leaved dock" - is a native to Europe and Asia, but today grows all through North America, often in disturbed areas such as road sides and fields.
The mature plant is about 1 meter high, and is related to the buckwheat family, which is apparent when you look at it's flower & seed stalkwhose fruit are in the shape of small triangular nuts. The stalk branches with the largest cluster found at the apex and the seeds are shiny, and brown. The seeds casing enables them to float on water or get caught in wool and fur to be spread. The leaves, which some people harvest in the early spring and eat after several rounds of boiling, are smooth and shoot off from a large basal rosette, having a distinctive waved or curled edge.
The root is most often used part. It is a large, yellow, forking tap root that is best harvested in the fall.
Yellow Dock Root's valuable properties have a long history - being well utilized on both sides of the Atlantic. It is an alterative that is beneficial for the digestive tract, liver and skin. One of its primary uses by herbalists is for skin conditions associated with poor digestion, poor liver function or "toxicity". Yellow dock has a mild laxative effect and appears to stimulate the release of bile and digestive enzymes.
Share your stories of Yellow Dock and help everyone build a better relationship with this abundant, local herbal ally.
megandsbrown@att.net:
I am interested in getting to know Yellow Dock!
introducingsarah:
I often use tinctured yellow dock when I am feeling anemic or iron deficient. I guess because it helps digestion and the general absorption of minerals, it allows me to use the iron that I am eating and getting through my foods and herbs. Sometimes it seems like just eating plenty or iron rich foods isn't enough, if my body isn't absorbing them properly. Yellow dock seems to help with this!
betsea:
i love yellow dock for my acne and weak liver! she is an ally of wise women and men everywhere! thanks for hosting a contest, I love contests!
xoxo, betsea
CelestiaOak:
I've used a yellow dock decoction (with dandelion root and licorice root) to help relieve constipation. It worked rather well.
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