Yellow Dock 4:1

History and Uses:
Yellow Dock grows abundantly throughout the United States, and its root is used medicinally. The plant's genus name, Rumex, is derived from Latin, meaning "lance," referring to the shape of the leaves, and crispus means "curly," also in reference to the leaves' shape. Yellow Dock has been used for centuries for its astringent properties, treating a variety of skin problems, including boils, rashes, blemishes and burns. The Native Americans used this herb for its special health benefits, and legend says that

they endeavored to keep it secret from the Europeans. Pioneers also used it for nutritional support of the urinary system. The properties of this herb are alterative, depurative, laxative, purgative, cholagogue and astringent. The primary chemical constituents of

Yellow Dock Root include anthraquinone glycosides (nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol), tannins, resins, oxalates and iron. It also contains varying amounts of phosphorus, vitamins A and C and calcium. Yellow Dock is valued even more so today as one of the best available sources of iron. Its high iron content makes it beneficial for treating anemia and pregnant women. Yellow Dock is thought to purify the blood supplied to the glands, improving the flow of bile and digestive fluids. Yellow Dock has also been used to help improve bladder and liver functions, as well as reduce bowel inflammation and glandular swelling. This herb can be used to treat some cases of jaundice and skin eruptions associated with toxicity of the intestines. Another use for Yellow Dock is as a laxative to help relieve mild constipation. Yellow Dock is believed to improve the function of the kidneys, liver, lymph glands and intestines, thus aiding the body's natural cleansing processes. It has been used to help the body eliminate pollutants, including heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic. One may even cook and eat Yellow Dock as a potherb, which is thought to improve vision. Yellow Dock helps to free up iron stored in the liver, thus making it more available to the rest of the body. Topically, the crushed leaf of Yellow Dock soothes stings from Nettle plants and can also be added to a tooth powder for spongy gums and to a gargle for laryngitis. Salves, poultices or compresses of this herb have been used for eczema, hives, itchy skin, scabies and ringworm.