𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨: Rumex crispus
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: Anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, resin, volatile oil, oxalic acid, calcium oxalate, iron, calcium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C.
𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨: Cool, bitter. In Ayurvedic terms I think of Yellow dock as kapha, making it useful for vata people who tend to be ungrounded and "scattered by the wind", or hot pitta people who are prone to heat, redness, swelling, and mental excitability.
𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮: Young leaves taste tangy from the high iron and vitamin C content and wilt quickly under the effects of steam. Raw leaves contain oxalic acid so avoid eating too many!
𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚: Yellow dock's nutritive, fortifying, earthy qualities are great for stagnant conditions in need of freer flow e.g. constipation or diarrhoea where bowel movements are incomplete. Traditionally deemed a blood cleanser, Yellow dock supports "stuck" conditions e.g. sluggish lymphatics contributing to acne, liver impairment and poor bile flow, weak digestion and constipation. Yellow dock gently pulls things downwards and outwards.
Yellow dock also increases the body’s ability to absorb iron. It has historically been used for iron deficiency anaemia by midwives in combination with dandelion root. It is usually prepared as a syrup with blackstrap molasses, which is itself rich in iron and calcium.
𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:
- Alterative. Herbalists use alterative herbs to improve lymphatic function and hepatic elimination, hormonal conjugation, and excretion.
- Bitter
- Cholagogue/ Choleretic (enhances bile production and flow)
- Laxative (mild)
- Astringent
𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨: Yellow dock is deeply grounding. It can assist "airy fairy" people - those with a lot of great ideas and goals who struggle to anchor that intuitive knowledge into grounded action. The sense I get from yellow dock is of it helping us to wisely sequester energy for times when reserves of power are needed. It pulls downward and outward via one's core, root chakra and bowels.
𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧: The pain and itch of nettle sting is eased by crushed yellow dock leaves.
Always consult a qualified herbalist or naturopath when using herbal medicines to ensure safety and suitability to your unique needs.