Rumex crispus L.

Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a herb up to 30-120 cm tall of the Polygonaceae family, native to Eurasia and now found on nearly every continent, reaching close to the Arctic Circle. Its leaves can be mixed into salads, while its seed flour is used to make traditional pancakes. Yellow dock is traditionally believed to relieve rheumatism, skin diseases, and act as a vermifuge.

Grows well at elevations up to 2,200 m above sea level, rainfall 800-1,000 mm/year, pH 5.5-6.5, in moist, fairly fertile, well-drained soil. Usually found in grassy areas, abandoned land, roadsides, sand dunes, and farmland.

• Root a fleshy taproot, with a few to many branches, reaching a depth of 150 cm or more.
• Stem upright, stiff, reddish surface color and unbranched.
• Leaves oblong with a tapering tip, wavy edges, 8-30 cm long and 2-7 cm wide, alternately arranged.
• Flowers green when young, brown when mature.

Propagated generatively using seed.

Alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, saponin, quercetin, proanthocyanidin, anthraquinone (emodin), β-sitosterol, hexadecanoic acid, chrysophanol, physcion, gallic acid, catechin, kaempferol.

Treats rheumatism, skin problems, jaundice, cancer, diphtheria, constipation, diarrhea, fever reducer, lung hemorrhage, antioxidant, vermifuge, tonic, gallbladder complaints, fungal disorders, stomach disorders.

• Prepare yellow dock root, clean and dry for several days until fully dry.
• Grind finely and sift to produce root powder.
• Store in an airtight container.

Yellow dock