Rumex crispus, Yellow dock

Common names

Curled dock, narrow dock, narrow-leafed dock, garden patience, sour dock, rumex.

History

Medieval uses: Epidemics, fever, stomach troubles
For ‘kernels’ that grow on the genitals
Healing minor cuts and bruises
An infusion of the plant roots was used to make an astringent
For an inflammatory catarrh. For hoarseness. Used for the treatment of holy fire (erysipelas)

The Romans used yellow dock for skin complaints, and Gerard said 'it purifieth the blood and makes young wenches look fair and cherry like'. The Native Americas applied the crushed leaves to boils and the pulverized roots to cuts. Mrs. Grieve states that the seeds may be used in dysentery, for their astringent action.

Medicinal uses

Alterative, gentle purgative, cholagogue, mild laxative, mild astringent, tonic (please see Glossary)

Benefits

Chronic skin conditions, obstructive jaundice, constipation

Rumex crispus is used extensively in the treatment of chronic skin complaints, especially psoriasis associated with constipation; and obstructive jaundice. The anthraquinones have a cathartic action on the bowel, but act in quite a mild way, possibly tempered by the tannin content. It promotes the flow of bile, and its action on the gallbladder gives it a role in the treatment of jaundice when this is due to congestion. The plant's high iron content makes it valuable for correcting anaemia. A compress can be used to help soothe itchy skin. The ointment is valuable for itching, sores, swellings and scabby eruptions.

Warnings

Large doses should be avoided due to the oxalate content

References

BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth.

Gerard, J. 1633 The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes, Facsimile Edition (1975), Dover Publications, New York.

Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.

Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element, Shaftesbury.

Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.

Mabey, R. (ed.) 1991 The Complete New Herbal, Penguin, London.

Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London.

Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Polunin, M. and Robbins, C. 1992 The Natural Pharmacy, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden.

Special thanks to www.purplesage.org.uk