Herbal Yellow Dock: Iron Deficiency Treatment, Remedy and Benefits

Yellow Dock (Rumex Crispus - botanical name 6) a herbal plant, one of approximately 20 species of dock.(Sometimes referred to by other names: Narrow Dock, Curly Dock, Curled Dock, Garden Patience, and Rumex 14) . The herb has been relied upon for hundreds of years by ancient Indians, old time doctors, early settlers and herbal practitioners for medicinal qualities. 11 Also yellow dock is a member of the buckwheat family: Annual grown grain or dry seed of which is consumed for food or feed and a starchy seed processed (pounded) into meat or flour.1 Yellow Dock is leafy stem plant with large or small leaves, and abundance of flowers growing thick horizontally. 9 It is a perennial herb with twisted leaf edges. 19 During June and July the herbal plant dropping flowers bloom. 15 The leaves are displayed in flower arrangements and produce a red, gold or dark green dye. 13 Often Yellow Dock is hanged on stalks upside down to dry in a shed, for use in autumn wreaths. 15 Yellow Dock herbal plant roots extend 20 - 30 cm in length and the stem is approximately 1.5 cm thick. "It grows in any rich, heavy soil in weedy places such as roadsides, ditches to 1500 m altitude. Yellow Dock is easy to cultivate." 14

In 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. 3 Yellow dock contains varying amounts of vitamin A and C, calcium and phosphorus. 2 "One of its primary uses by herbalists is for skin conditions associated with poor digestion, poor liver function or "toxicity." 3 The herb is known to treat psoriasis, coughs, rheumatism and improve iron deficiency 4 Also, the herbal plant is useful to treat jaundice. .7 ("Building strong livers for both mother and child can help prevent postpartum jaundice". 8) Yellow Dock Root believed to reduce headaches, general irritability, mental lethargy, and skin blemishes. Practitioners claim yellow dock treats ulcerated eyelids, discharges are experienced as running of the ears, and brittle nails. 11 In India the extracted Yellow Dock root juice treats toothaches and the powdered roots treats gingivitis. Yellow Dock leaves are mixed with elderberry to draw poison out of copperhead or rattlesnake bites. 15

Yellow Dock is a mild laxative (small amounts of anthraquinone glycosides 6), within hours after ingestion, help stimulate to remove bile and digestive enzymes from the intestinal tract, thus preventing toxins from accumulating in the liver, gallbladder, (Livatrex formula containing a variety of herbs including yellow dock detoxifies and improves the function of the liver and gallbladder.) and bloodstream. 5 "It can be used for chronic constipation, where it will work gently but effectively." 18 When beginning a detoxification program, recommend very slow incremental increases of Yellow Duck extract, prevent feeling ill or experiencing any side effects.12

According to Christopher Hobbs in his book 'Herbal Remedies for Dummies', Yellow Dock is beneficial, as a preventative herbal remedy for women who are prone to vaginal yeast infections and bladder infections. Also, root tincture is recommended by midwives to help strengthen the blood during pregnancy ("About 10 percent of North American women are iron-deficient during their childbearing years." During heavy menstruation, women have experienced iron deficiency. 10). 7 Reported women who have taken yellow duck extract brought their iron count up to normal within a few weeks. 10

Other applications for Yellow Dock in Witchcraft the herb is combined with Chamoline and Mistle Toe conjure money spells. 16 Strained Yellow Dock tea used to wash door knobs at a place of business to draw customers or at home to attract 'good fortune'. 17

Researchers believe Yellow Dock herbal extract usage may inhibit several types of bacteria including salmonella, escherichia and staphylococcus because the herb contains several antimicrobial agents.15

Yellow Dock Dosage for Consumption: Three cups of (750 ml) of extracted yellow dock may be drunk each day. A tea can be made by boiling 1 - 2 teaspoons (5 - 10 grams) of root in two cups (500 ml) of water (or 1 ounce dried root in 1 - pint of water 9) for ten minutes. 6 Yellow Duck tea tastes bitter sweet. 15 Also, a tincture of yellow dock, 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon (1 - 2 ml) three times per day can be used. 6 "Syrup can be made by boiling 1/2 lb. of the crushed root in 1 pint of syrup and is taken in teaspoon of doses 3 or 4 times a day." Besides consumption use, yellow dock can be used as an ointment made with the root simmered in oil and applied to skin ulcers, hard tumors, and eruptive skin diseases.11

"The leaves should be avoided as they are toxic and if consumed, can lead to death." 9

Side effects taking Yellow Dock include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Metabolic acidosis (blood disorder) and life threatening calcium deficiency in the blood occurs when excessive use of Yellow Dock is consumed. The herb is not advisable to be taken with prescribed drugs that decrease blood calcium such as Dilantin, duretics, Mithracin, and Miacalcin. Also, Yellow Dock not recommended for use by people with liver disease, kidney disease or an electrolyte irregularity and should not be used by nursing or pregnant women. 3 Advisable to consult a physician before Yellow Dock is combined with any prescribed medication.11

Yellow Duck extract and root available in health food stores and online Web Sites.

References:

1.) Buckwheat - http://www.answers.com/topic/buckwheat

2,) Yellow Dock - http://www.1001herbs.com/yellowdock/

3.) Yellow Dock - http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/YellowDock.htm

4.) Yellow Dock, 500 mg - 100 Capsules - http://www.herbalremedies.com/18100.html

5.) Organic Yellow Dock Root - http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-yellow-dock-root.html

6.) Yellow Dock - http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-2189000.htm

7.) Yellow Dock Herb - http://health.learninginfo.org/herbs/yellow-dock.htm

8.) Tonic Herbs for Pregnancy - http://www.healthychild.com/database/tonic_plants_for_pregnancy.htm

9.) Yellow Dock - http://www.petnutri.com/herb333/yellow-dock.html

10.) Anemia - http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/58.cfm

11.) Yellow Dock Information - http://www.herbalremedies.com/yellow-dock-information.html

12.) Glands and Organs: Knowing your body - http://www.healingyou.com/articles/glands/liver-spleen.aspx

13.) Yellow Dock Tea - http://www.nutrovita.com/productdetail.asp?pid=9810

14) Yellow Dock - A Medicinal Herb To Treat Skin Disorders - http://www.wildcrafted.com.au/Articles/Alternative_Medicine/Yellow_Dock.html

15.) How is use Yellow dock in money spells and incense or help a women conceive? - http://www.mdidea.com/products/proper/proper010.html

16.) Pagans of Huntingdon PA - http://www.freewebs.com/huntingdon_co_wiccans/spells.htm

17.) Herbal Spells for Money, Prosperity, Success, A Job, Courage, and Youth -

http://www.everythingunderthemoon.net/spells/herbal-spells.htm

18.) User Group Forum - Yellow Dock - http://www.zooscape.com/cgi-bin/maitred/GreenCanyon/questc100384/r07

19.) Yellow Dock - http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_yellow_dock.htm