Yellow dock is an herb, popularly known as Rumex crispus, it supports detoxification from a few angles.
The herb has been relied upon for hundreds of years by ancient Indians, old time doctors, early settlers and herbal practitioners for its medicinal qualities.
The plant is reddish brown, which grows in stalks about a meter high. It has very smooth leaves with distinctive curls around the edges.
There are flowers that grow on these stalks that have seeds that get caught on wool and animal fur to be distributed elsewhere to grow.
Traditionally, yellow dock root has been thought to be a blood purifier and general detoxifier.
In the United States, Europe and Asia the yellow dock is native plant and common weed cultivated as a vegetable and part of the root is used medicinally.
It contains varying amounts of vitamin A and C, calcium and phosphorus. Yellow dock has a mild laxative effect, due to constituents called anthraquinone glycosides.
It appears to stimulate the release of bile and digestive enzymes.
Yellow dock comes in capsule, tincture, tea and dried herb forms. Mainly used as a powder, yellow dock is a topical application for sores and rashes.
Teas, pills, syrups and tinctures are used for inflammation and wide range of other health conditions.
Yellow dock root is a bitter herb noted for its high iron content. It nourishes the skin, stimulates bile production, tones the liver and gallbladder and not to mention purifies the blood.
Due to its astringent properties, the plant has been used generally in the treatment of venereal diseases and skin conditions. An ointment of yellow dock is valuable for eruptive skin conditions that cause itching, sores, and scabby skin lesions.
The powdered root has been used as a natural dentifrice. Larger amounts have been given as a laxative and tonic.
Yellow dock root is an expectorant that can loosen phlegm and help relieve symptoms of colds, influenza and other lower respiratory tract infections.
Studies have also shown that yellow dock root has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate the pain and swelling of joints common in cases of arthritis and rheumatism.
Yellow dock may cause mild diarrhoea in some people. Call your health practitioner if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting.
People who have liver and kidney problems must be cautioned in taking yellow dock root preparations since it is a diuretic and can worsen existing medical conditions.
