I told her I truly needed a yellow dye. No problem, I’ve created a free ebook for you – Kitchen Apothecary: 25+ Natural Remedies Using Ingredients From Your Pantry – as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. Yellow dock is believed to accumulate beneficial minerals from the soil into its roots and leaves. Because many skin issues originate from sluggish detox of hormones and waste products, the benefits of consuming bitters can also result in clearer skin! The leaves are also used to soothe blisters, burns and nettle stings. It has an erect greenish stem, often with red streaks. She currently teaches biology and nutrition at the college level and is also a practicing clinical herbalist/holistic nutritionist. FLOWERS. All parts of yellow dock are edible, including the leaves and the seeds, but the root is the part most often used therapeutically. Traditionally, yellow dock has been used as a laxative, alterative, and a mild liver tonic (Grieve, 1996; Hoffman, 2003). They get smaller as they get close to the top of the stem. by Sharon Brown (Sharran) September 10, 2013. Medicinal herbs and botanicals were preserved in alcohol and touted as a cure-all. I'm Heather, aka The Mommypotamus. Dock is considered an invasive weed in fifteen states, so foraging probably won't make a dent in the local population. Dr. Rose holds a PhD in biology and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition. About the authors: This article was coauthored by Heather Dessinger and Dr. Lori Valentine Rose (PhD). Yellow dock root is an herbal ally worth considering if you’re looking for support with: Before we jump in, though, I want to introduce you to Dr. Lori Rose, one of my favorite herbalists to collaborate with. I made dyes from every plant that might contain a dye. The most commonly used medicinal portion of wild dock is the roots. I was curious about the plant, because it was one of those that I caught its stem at the base of the blooms, and gently pulled my fingers along the stem. Root is considered to be both astringent and a “blood purifier” or detoxifier. The root contains high amounts of carbohydrates and the leaves have a high content of vitamin C. It is a plant that was native to Europe, brought to us by well meaning pioneers who came from across the ocean. (source). The root contains tannin and is astringent and blood purifier. A small amount of raw yellow dock leaves is probably safe, but take special care if you have kidney stones. Scientific studies have validated the traditional prescription of bitter dock tea as a laxative. The medicinal part comes from the root which, when scraped, has a magnificent deep yellow colour. The roots are generally considered far to woody for eating, and beyond that, they taste pretty horrible (in my opinion). The root, underground stem (rhizome), and leaves are used to make medicine. The roots are quite bitter. Medicinal use of Western Dock: The leaves have been used in herbal sweat baths to treat pains similar to rheumatism all over the body. I had told her that it would have to be a good strong bright golden yellow dye, and she told me that bitter dock roots would produce the very color I wanted. The blooms or seeds would pop off in my hand, and it was just a pasttime habit for me, similar to picking the seed ball of a dandelion and blowing the seeds from here to yon. My greatest loves are writing, painting, my 5 year old grandson, then learning the history of our numerous wildflowers in Kentucky. This relative of rhubarb is a hardy herbaceous perennial weed native to Europe that has naturalized in the US. How has it been used? Adding detox-supportive herbs like yellow dock can assist an under-functioning liver get rid of toxins, waste products, and excess hormones. Burdock root has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to treat a variety of different conditions. Without a doubt she would add crushed mint to the parts of the plant that she boiled, so that the final mixture would smell like mint. … I am a retired high school art and humanities teacher. Drinking 10 ml of bitter leaf juice everyday in the morning is of great benefit. The small one seeded fruit is enclosed in three winglike and deeply toothed valves. Dock leaves are used as an aid for the nettles sting in Western Europe. We must also include prebiotics, the food for the probiotics. Overview Information Bistort is a perennial plant. Its leaves, can be up to 14 inches long, and will have a blunt or heart shaped base. The tannins in yellow dock are astringent, which is an herbal term for drying, healing, and toning to tissues – this is the quality which is thought to be helpful for diarrhea. Bitter foods and herbs were a common part of the ancestral diet and are still used in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda with huge benefits to body and mind. In fact, the bitter dock serves as an effective laxative. It was also believed that bitter dock wash cleaned up skin blemishes. A poultice of the leaves and mashed, roasted roots has been applied to sores, boils and wounds. There are many edible docks in the Rumex genus, some native and some introduced. Nowadays the plant is considered to be one of the best medicinal herbs particularly for the management and treatment of kidney stones. Curly dock (also known as yellow dock, sour dock, and butter dock, as well as other names) is one of the first wild greens ready to harvest in spring. Yellow dock is a fabulous herb for modern life. The leaf stalks are used in salads. (source 1, The Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood). It has quite a history as a medicinal herb, and part of this history came from Aunt Bett, and some of it I found in research. [ Home | This plant has a long taproot that enables it survive long drought periods and out competes other vegetation. I'm on a mission to help you put delicious, healthy meals on the table, find effective natural remedies for common complaints, make your own fuss-free personal care and home products, and save time and money in the process. Description of the plant: Plant: Perennial. The problem with that also was that dyes are better when they are first made, when they are still warm from the stove. How to Harvest and Use Curly Dock. The root and fruits are used as medicine. Read on to see some of the health benefits of this miraculous plant known as bitter leaf. It speeds up metabolism thereby reducing the chances of constipation and increasing the usage of the stored fat and thus helps in reducing weight. And, of course, there's gardening. It’s high in iron and is considered a useful herbal companion during menstruation and pregnancy. Yellow dock contains a unique combination of constituents such as anthraquinones, tannins, minerals, and inulin that together synergistically to support overall health. Native Americans found several interesting uses for this plant. Tea made from the root can be helpful in treatment of jaundice, boils and coughs. 6 Reasons You Should Use Medicinal Bitters for Digestive Health. Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as bitter dock, broad-leaved dock, bluntleaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock, is a perennial plant in the family Polygonaceae.It is native to Europe, but is found on all temperate continents. Leaves can also be dried for later use[12]. In either case, the roots and the leaves were the source of its medicine. Throughout the next few centuries, ... you can also gain similar benefits by simply eating bitter … Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com Terms of Use, Rules, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy. Featured Companies | Northern Dock – Medicinal Herb Therapeutic Benefits, Uses and Claims of Northern Dock Active Ingredients and Substances: The main active substances found in northern dock are anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, and oxalic acid. Loweri And potamus... obviously. During the winter there were no fresh flowers, and if I had a wild hankering to dye something yellow, there were no yellow daylilies in bloom. Chamber bitter plant is an erect to prostrate, slender, glabrous annual or short-lived perennial herb that normally grows about 20-70 cm tall. Typhus has an incubation period of 5-14 days. (source), Perhaps even more amazing is the benefit consuming bitters has on stimulating liver detoxification. 1. Yellow dock is considered a bitter herb due to the presence of tannins, and like other bitters it makes digestion and absorption of nutrients more efficient. Hi, I'm Heather Dessinger, founder of Mommypotamus.com. It is an effective herb for that. As I think of the hundreds of plants that were such a part of my life all those years ago, I find myself wishing I could have a nice little plot where I could easily grow some of them, simply for the memories. Combining traditional wisdom and modern research for smart, naturally-minded mamas. MORE ABOUT HEATHER   |   WHAT IS A MOMMYPOTAMUS? Alterative Antiscorbutic Astringent Cancer Cholagogue Depurative Homeopathy Laxative Poultice Salve Tonic Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. I also vaguely remember that she made something that she added rose petals to, for no reason except to give it a scent. Not only does it support stage-2 detoxification of the liver – which most of us need because it’s not practical to live in a bubble – it also promotes healthy digestion, a diverse microbiome, and more. Knowing the prevalence of mineral deficiency in our country due to modern farming practices impact on soil quality, this nutritive aspect is just one more reason to make yellow dock your herbal companion. Now we can find it all the way across and from top to bottom of the United States. She created, developed, and instructs the Hill College Holistic Wellness Pathway, the most thorough, affordable, degreed wellness program in the country. Curly dock leaves are rich in vitamins C and A, and offer a bitter, lemony taste. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com, http://wwwherbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_bitter_dock.htm. Bitter dock is well, bitter, to the equivalency of dandelion and other bitters. The leaves are usually cooked in at least one change of water in order to reduce the bitterness[183]. Always check with your doctor before adding herbs to your diet, and listen to your intuition to help you make the best choice for yourself. She loves spreading love and light, and helping others feel awesome on the inside and out so they can live their dreams and make this world more awesome! Tiny greenish flowers appear from June through September, they occur in dense clusters on tall stalks at the top of the plant. Contact Us | The root makes the yellow dye, and that is what Aunt Bett was giving me. Here are some other constipation and diarrhea remedies that may help as well, and here is a recipe for “constipation candy” that was shared by a mom in our community. (source 1, The Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood) It is also sometimes used to improve iron status when needed. (source), Yellow dock is considered helpful for nudging the body back toward balance in cases of both constipation and diarrhea (as discussed in the next section). The roots and leaves are used in traditional Austrian medicine internally to treat viral infections.
Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Picasso was not the only one who went through colorful phases. Do Not Sell My Personal Information] © 2020 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands It was also believed that bitter dock wash cleaned up skin blemishes. In either case, the roots and the leaves were the source of its medicine. If they were made from roots, I usually turned the making into a disastrous mess. Now, on to the post! I would stand guard over the patch of bitter dock when anybody was weeding our yard. (source 1, source 2, source 3) Here are just some of the benefits: You’ve probably heard about digestive bitters such as Urban Moonshine’s pregnancy-friendly chamomile bitters. Call us Today ! I think that like me, most people consider it an invasive weed, and my yard is not big enough to allow invaders. And besides, I was into my yellow artistic period at that time, having outgrown pink and blue, so I seriously wanted a yellow blouse anyway. They aren't the kind of fruit enclosed seed that sticks to you like a burr, but look very similar. When taken about twenty minutes before a meal, the bitter components of certain herbs can stimulate an increase of digestive enzymes and bile flow from the liver. 559 266 4000 | info@ajtruckschool.com . How lucky we were that Nature decided to work in our favor. Dr. Rose, PhD is a college biology, nutrition, herbal, and wellness instructor, Certified Nutrition Professional (CNP), Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition. According to The Herbal Academy, “Despite its gentle laxative effect, yellow dock has not been found to stimulate the pregnant uterus (Romm, 2010). PLANT. You’ll also get updates when I post about safe essential oils for pregnant/breastfeeding mamas, exclusive gifts and coupons (I was able to give away a jar of free coconut oil to anyone who wanted it recently! WEAK DIGESTION . Yellow dock has a long history of use for stimulating liver function, for cleansing the blood and for helping with chronic skin problems that were traditionally associated with ‘bad blood’. ), plus other goodies. Plant Description. While it has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, I prefer to use it in cocktail bitters. The leaves have a much milder flavour when they are first produced in early spring[K]. Most people have heard by now that including probiotics in the diet is just the first step to supporting a healthy microbiome. It is a member of the Polygonaceae (buckwheat or dock) family. Increased digestible food supply and intake, and medicinal qualities of bitters helped advanced our species. I explained my predicament to my great Aunt Bett, because I had planned on dyeing my white longsleeved blouse that had a yellow stain from who knows what right down the front. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Look for it along roadsides, ditches, edges of wooded areas, and in fields. Bitter dock is a perennial herbaceous plant that is found in many countries. I wish I could remember more little details like that. The inulin in yellow dock is a prebiotic, feeding the beneficial bacteria that are essential for digestive health. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of southeast KY and now I live with my two rescued cats, Jazz and Daisy, in far western KY. In addition to cancer, health benefits of bitter leaf is treating typhus. According to the Botanical Safety Handbook: 2nd Edition, Safety Class 1A adaptogens can be described as: “Herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor. Medicinal use: Dock leaves are known to have astringent properties. (source) The root can be: The leaves of yellow dock contain oxalates, which bind to minerals like calcium and magnesium, rendering them unavailable to the body. Green Gregs 1,818 views. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of jaundice, whooping cough, boils and bleeding. So, yeah! That brings me to today, and my habits have changed just a tiny bit. Bitter dock is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows 2 to 5 feet tall. Subscribe to my newsletter and receive this FREE DIGITAL GUIDE containing 25+ natural remedies you can make with kitchen ingredients along with exclusive coupons, links to recommended products, and much more! In the late 17th century, a tea made from bitter dock was used to alleviate toothache when taken orally and to cure itch when used as a wash. Applied externally, the leaves are used in treatment blisters, burns and scalds. As early as classical antiquity it was used for a laxative, and centuries later in Anglo Saxon England, physicians used a mixture of the leaves, other herbs, ale and holy water to cure those believed to have been made ill with "elf sickness", a term for a spell cast by witches. Yellow dock is considered a bitter herb due to the presence of tannins, and like other bitters it makes digestion and absorption of nutrients more efficient. (The Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood), The anthraquinones in yellow dock stimulate peristalsis of the intestines, which increases bowel transit time. The root of curly dock is yellow and intensely bitter. Bitter is an uncommon flavour that has largely disappeared from our modern palate. Yellow dock may interact with some prescription drugs – more info here. (source) These minerals are then passed on to the lucky consumers of yellow dock! A bitter taste, especially if the older leaves are used[105, 183]. Even naturally-occurring strong herbal laxatives can result in dependency and damage to the mucosal lining of the intestines. But oh my, they sure do bring back some beautiful memories. When you have yellow socks and yellow ribbons, the next thing you need is a yellow blouse, isn't it? © 2020 Mommypotamus  •  All Rights Reserved  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs, photo of my pantry apothecary on Instagram, Here are some other constipation and diarrhea remedies, modern farming practices impact on soil quality, The Joys and Health Benefits of Infant Massage, How To Sleep Better: 23 Science-Backed Tips, No case reports of significant adverse events with high probability of causality, No significant adverse events in clinical trials, No identified concerns for use during pregnancy or lactation, Toxicity associated with excessive use is not a basis for exclusion from this class, Minor or self-limiting side effects are not bases for exclusion from this class”, Tinctured to create herbal bitters or spirits – You can. Also, for reducing weight, drink green tea daily. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Though some bitters retained the “possible death ”association (alkaloids), greater quantities of bitter plant qualities such as chicoric, cinnamic, and flavonoids became available for consumption. It is in A poultice of the root paste has been applied to cuts and boils. I’m working on that for you – after all, curiosity makes us happier and I definitely want to encourage that  – but while I’m pulling that together I want to share one of my current favorites. When cooked, spiced correctly, and added in the right food combinations it tastes just fine. Botanical Name: Bistorta officinalis, Polygonum bistorta. I don't see bitter dock very much here in western KY, though it does grow in abundance in the Land Between the Lakes. Rumex obtusifolius – Bitter Dock or Broad Leaf Dock, ... Dock Roots. (source 1, source 2) If you want to consume yellow dock leaves, your safest bet is to boil them, throw out the water, and then boil them again before eating them. Advertise | Yellow dock root has been historically used as an iron-building syrup by pregnant women. Young stems - cooked[257]. Because yellow dock has a smaller percentage of peristalsis stimulating ingredients, it can be used for a longer period of time with more gentle, yet still effective, benefits to digestive transit time. Mission | Most of them, like bitter dock, are not really attractive, and can be terribly invasive. Media Kit | I’m a wife, mom, real food lover, research geek, and amateur homesteader. A persistent human problem is the common head cold. Seed - raw or cooked[102, 172]. Considered safe to take in pregnancy, traditional midwives have made syrups combining dandelion and yellow dock roots with black strap molasses for added iron (Romm, 2010). Herbal bitters are an old medicine remedy for what seems to be an ever increasing problem, weak digestion. This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. 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