Yellow Dock Herb

Yellow dock herb, Rumex crispus, has been a staple for herbalists in who use traditional home remedies for centuries. Also known as Curly Dock, Curled Dock, Sour Dock, or Narrow Dock, Yellow dock is a flowering perennial, once native to Western Asia and Europe, although it is now well-established throughout the New Zealand, South America and North America. Growing in car parks, roadsides and in the midst of fields with heavy, rich soil.

Properties

What is dismissed by many as just a weed, Yellow Dock contains protein and vitamin A, and is a good source of minerals, potassium and iron. The leaves are full of oxalic acid making the mature plant unpalatable, although boiling in several changes of water will remove the bitterness. It is the oxalic acid that makes the place useful as a tonic, an astringent and laxative.

Medicinal Uses of Yellow Dock

Yellow dock has proven to be a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of many health issues. Applications of Yellow Dock Include:

• Blood purification
• Skin maladies such as psoriasis and eczema
• Anemia
• Detoxification
• Increases bile production which helps break down fatty foods
• Helps the bladder, liver and gallbladder function more efficiently
• Works as a laxative

When made into a poultice and applied externally, Yellow dock is effective for treating bug bites.

Applications

Yellow dock is used both as a tincture and an infusion for use as an external skin wash. It can also be dried and used to make a soothing herbal tea.

Precautions

The use of Yellow dock herb is contraindicated in case of extreme case of diarrhea, when taking medications that decrease calcium, for those with liver or kidney disease, and for women who are pregnant or nursing.

More About Yellow Dock

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