Family Name: Polygonaceae
Botanical Name(s): Rumex Crispus
Popular Name(s): Yellow Dock, Curled Dock, Curly Dock, Sour
Dock, Narrow Dock, Garden Patience, Rumex
Parts Used: Root
Habitat: Pastures, Fields, and Waste Lands.
Description: The leaves are crisped at their edges. The roots
are 8 to 12 inches long, about 1/2 inch thick, fleshy and usually not
forked. Externally they are of a rusty brown and internally whitish,
with fine, straight, medullar rays and a rather thick bark. It has
little or no smell and a rather bitter taste.
Uses: Yellow Dock is used extensively in the treatment of
chronic skin complaints such as psoriasis. This herb is useful for
constipation, working as it does in a much wider way than simply
stimulating the gut muscles. It promotes the flow of bile and has that
somewhat obscure action of being a blood cleanser. The action on the
gall-bladder gives it a role in the treatment of jaundice when this is
due to congestion.
