HERBS: YELLOW DOCK
Rumex crispus
Action: Laxative, cholagogue, alterative, tonic, astringent.
Systems Affected: Blood, skin, stomach, spleen, liver, gall-bladder.
Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried root, dose 1-4 grams by
decoction.
Yellow Dock, a Eurasian native, is well known as a weed in
sub-tropical and temperate zones of the world. A perennial herb with
large lance-shaped leaves, it grows up to a meter in height on a
stout rootstock.
Yellow Dock is of much value both internally and externally for
treating chronic skin complaints, especially psoriasis. It is
specifically indicated where the cause is associated with
constipation or liver dysfunction.
The herb stimulates digestion, improving stomach and liver function,
and promotes elimination, improving the flow of bile and acting as a
laxative. A nutritive tonic high in iron, it is useful in treating
anaemia. With its tonic action on the spleen and liver it is also
useful in the treatment of jaundice, lymphatic problems and skin
eruptions. The seeds, highly astringent, are sometimes used in cases
of diarrhoea.
Externally Yellow Dock is applied for its astringent action to
bleeding haemorrhoids, wounds and swellings, and as a parasiticide
to ringworm, scabies and urticaria. The powdered root is employed as
a gargle for gingivitis and laryngitis.
The Broad-Leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) has similar properties to
Yellow Dock and may be substituted where the latter is unavailable.
Cautionary Notes: Excessive doses may cause nausea.
*60/66/5*
HERBAL
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