Yellow Dock Root and Powder Profile
Also known as- Rumex crispus, curled dock, garden patience, narrow dock, and sour dock.
Introduction
The name "dock" refers to a genus of broad-leaved wayside weeds related to rhubarb. Like rhubarb, all the docks can be used as laxatives or purgatives. Also like rhubarb, all the docks are rich in tannin.
Yellow dock has long curly leaves that appear to have been "crisped" at their edges. It bears multiple clusters of three-winged flowers. Its seeds are green in the summer but they become deep red as they mature.
The root of yellow dock bright yellow below the bark. The root is the part of the plant used in herbal medicine, harvested in late summer after the seeds have begun to turn red.
Constituents
Emodin, magnesium, nepodin, oxalic acid, selenium, silicon, sodium, tannins.
Parts Used
Dried root, chopped.
Typical Preparations
Traditionally used as a tea or tincture, and may be taken in capsule form.
Summary
Yellow dock is the kinder, gentler alternative to laxatives made with buckthorn, cascara sagrada, frangula, rhubarb, or senna. It encourages both bowel movement and good digestion by stimulating the release of gastric juices.
Precautions
If you experience cramping, you've taken too much. Start with the smallest recommended dose (usually 6 grams or 3 rounded teaspoons a day) and increase dosage slowly until you get the desired effect. Unlike small doses of rhubarb, small doses of yellow dock are not constipating.
Don't take yellow dock or any other stimulant laxative if you take Lasix (furosemide); the combination can lead to potassium depletion. Not known to be safe during pregnancy, although no complications have ever been reported.
