Healthy Habits: Yellow Dock

Also known as curly dock and field sorrel, yellow dock’s leaves, roots and seeds can be made into a tincture, tea, decoction, syrup or poultice, for internal and external healing and nourishment. Harvesting should be done in early spring, the year after planting. The young leaves can also be rinsed and added to a tossed salad, and are a rich source of Vitamins A & C.

Here are some of the possible health benefits of yellow dock:

Reduces blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, helps relieve cystitis & gout, boosts immune system, prevents cancer, promotes skin & hair health, improves bone health, helps prevent diabetes, liver tonic, relieves jaundice, stimulates the lymph, balances blood sugar levels, improves digestion, blood building & cleansing, treats anemia, diuretic, relieves sinus & respiratory challenges, antibacterial, eases menstrual pain & heavy bleeding, astringent, detoxifies/eliminates toxins, relieves water retention and stimulates bile production.

Be aware that yellow dock, as a detoxifier, draws out toxins and thus, those toxins will then be expelled through the skin.

If you have toxins that need to be eliminated, then you may experience some skin eruptions as a result of this detoxification process. As with any detoxing herb, you may feel worse before feeling better. https://shop.theherbshoppepdx.com/products/rumex-crispus-yellow-dock-tincture

Applied topically, yellow dock effectively treats acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis and any itchy eruption on the skin. Break up the roots, boil them in vinegar and make a salve from the pulped roots. You can also use the diluted vinegar externally and internally to clear the skin. The leaves can be used for tea, and you can bruise them slightly and apply externally to areas with aches and pains, as well as to any skin irritations.

Always do your research and/or check with your health care practitioner before trying a new herbal remedy, especially if you are currently taking pharmaceuticals that may interact negatively with natural medicines.

There is a lot of incentive to grow your own yellow dock. It yields up to 30,000 seeds per plant! The roots go deep, 2-3 feet, and mine for minerals. They bring up calcium, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus into the leaves and when the leaves drop and decompose on the ground around the plant, the minerals replenish the soil.

Note: In a previous column on 8-25-2022, I wrote about yellow root/goldenseal, which grows in our area, and is not the same as yellow dock. https://www.hancockclarion.com/2022/08/25/healthy-habits-goldenseal%e2%80%a8/

Yellow root’s botanical name is Xanthorhiza simplicissima. Yellow dock’s is Rumex crispus, as well as the variety Rumex obtusifolius, both very similar. Upon further research, I’ve found that goldenseal and yellow root, although very similar, are not the same. Goldenseal’s botanical name is Hydrastis Canadensis and the plant produces a larger root & leaves. Yellow root has more berberine content & unlike goldenseal, contains no hydrastine.

Be Well and God Bless You.

Jennifer Wimmer