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Yellow Dock
One of the traditional
potherbs of the spring is the greens of the Dock plant, locally known
as Curly Dock. Yellow Dock is the name given to the root of the most common
species (Rumex crispus), and it is the root that is used medicinally.
The greens, picked young, provide an interersting soury-tasting cooked
green that is very nutritious. It is in the Buckwheat family and grows
in waste places, old fields and barnyards and generally considered a "weed",
whatever that means. The medicinal root is one that I value very highly.
The "yellow"
dock refers to the yellow color of the root, which picks up iron from
the soil, and is a natural and highly assimilable source of this mineral,
making Yellow Dock an important herb for anemic conditions, and as a blood-builder
in general.
Yellow Dock is also one
of the time-honored "blood purifiers", purifying the body of
toxins by its gentle stimulation of the organs of elimination. Yellow
Dock gently stimulates the colon, and is one of the best mild laxatives
where a lax condition of the colon prevails. It also contains some tannins
which also serve to tone up the colon, so that the laxative effects are
balanced out. Food allergies are addressed with Yellow Dock. Yellow Dock
also mildly stimulates the liver and symtpoms of malaise, indigestion,
fat intolerance, constipation and possible jaundice call for this herb.
Chronic gastritis.
Yellow Dock is also valuable
as a lymph purifier. Among the many conditions this bood-purifier this
herb may be used as an aid for include: lymph congestion and swollen glands,
abscess, boils, and tumors and cysts (incl. female reproductive). It has
a long-standing reputation as a adjunct in cancer, particularly where
the blood needs to be bulit up. Breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Combined
with Nettles and an herb like Juniper Berry, it has done very well as
a preventative in gout, and arthritis and rheumatism with toxic build-up.
Its affinity for the skin makes it a valuable aid in eczema and rashes
with redness and itching.
Various internal inflammations
of the throat and digestive tract are treated with Yellow Dock. Post nasal
drip. Throat raw. Tickling, irritating cough.
The Round-Leaf Dock (R.
obtusifolium) and Water Dock (R. aquaticus) can also be used though they
may contain more tannins and be a little weaker in effects. Over the years
Yellow Dock root is an herb that has served me as probably the best all
around blood builder and purifier around.
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ordering information for yellow
dock
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