Herbs Guide

Yellow Dock

Family Name: Polygonaceae

Botanical Name(s): Rumex Crispus

Popular Name(s): Yellow Dock, Curled Dock, Curly Dock, Sour Dock, Narrow Dock, Garden Patience, Rumex

Parts Used: Root

Habitat: Pastures, Fields, and Waste Lands.

Description: The leaves are crisped at their edges. The roots are 8 to 12 inches long, about 1/2 inch thick, fleshy and usually not forked. Externally they are of a rusty brown and internally whitish, with fine, straight, medullar rays and a rather thick bark. It has little or no smell and a rather bitter taste.

Uses: Yellow Dock is used extensively in the treatment of chronic skin complaints such as psoriasis. This herb is useful for constipation, working as it does in a much wider way than simply stimulating the gut muscles. It promotes the flow of bile and has that somewhat obscure action of being a blood cleanser. The action on the gall-bladder gives it a role in the treatment of jaundice when this is due to congestion.