Another foraging goal of mine is to harvest some and at least give them a try. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Simply processed syrups and tincture, as well as curly dock supplements can be found in specialized health stores and online retailers. Both plants contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic if used excessively. They should not be taken for long period of time because the body can grow dependent on them for bowel movements, and the herb may increase the risk of kidney stones. I also fry in butter with chopped onions, and mix it into a white sauce. It is reputed to taste similar to buckwheat, another related plant. Initially, plants form a prostrate rosette of foliage. The anthraquinones in curly dock can cause dependency, so the use of the herb as a laxative should be temporary and not a long-term solution for constipation. Dock plant. In a bowl mix together the ground yellow dock seed, flour, and salt. Curly dock is a long taprooted simple (non-branching) perennial that grows in a rosette. The study shows that copper assists in the iron absorption from an intestinal tract releases iron in the liver where it is stored. This plant is also known as curled dock, narrow dock and curly leaf dock. St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press. The plant has been used since around 500 B.C. Curly dock grows best in cool, wet climates, and prefers deep, moist clay soil. However, you can just grind the seed and chaff all together as one. amzn_assoc_asins = "0976626608,1615648895";
About Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants in Missouri. Both plants are very nutritious. Stem leaves are alternate, subtended by an ocrea, and reduced in both number and size compared with basal leaves. . You are responsible for your own health and well being! The appearance of the mature leaves resembles leaf lettuce (very curly). , Age Estimates for the Buckwheat Family Polygonaceae Based on Sequence Data Calibrated by Fossils and with a Focus on the Amphi-Pacific Muehlenbeckia, 2013, , UC Davis Agriculture & Natural Resources: Curly Dock, , Curly Dock: Ohio Perennial & Biennial Weed Guide, , Hydrolytical instability of hydroxyanthraquinone glycosides in pressurized liquid extraction, 2014. Grieve, M. M. (1998)A modern herbal. Decoctions are used for tough, woody material such as roots, bark, and twigs, in order to extract the active constituents. DISCLAIMER: Information provided for educational purposes only. My grandparents took me cow slipping in early spring as a kid. The roots have been sold for their medicinal value under the name yellow dock. Traditionally for maintaining healthy liver function*. The plant has valuable cleansing properties and is useful for treating a wide range of skin problems. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
According to the results, a sweetened water-based drink containing 0.3 grams of lemon balm extract reduced stress and improved mood in a group of 25 healthy young adults, compared to a placebo. The Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) is a plant with a variety of health benefits. Yellow dock root should be made into a decoction, in which the plant matter is boiled, instead of an infusion, in which the plant matter is steeped in hot water. Besides what has already been described, this medicinal herb has been used in the treatment of anthrax, anorexia, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold, cramps, depression, fever, general weakness or loss of strength, headaches, hepatitis, high cholesterol, leprosy, malaria, menopause, mental stupor, mouth sores, oral hygiene, ring worm, Its unfortunate that people arent more familiar with it, as the leaves, stem, seed, and root are all edible or medicinal. The species scientific name is rumex crispus, and crispus in latin means curly while the word dock describes the solid part of an animals tail and "to dock" a tail is to remove it. Both plants are native to Britain and Ireland and naturalised in North America. It has . $30.99. Habit: Curly dock is an herbaceous perennial with tall, erect stems growing up to 4 feet in height. The seeds are useful and interestingly, yellow dock seeds are viable for up to 80 years. Some people use yellow dock as a toothpaste. By the end of June, they'll be dark brown and dry. Larger amounts have been given as a laxative and tonic, and for other indications, including cancer. Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum), for instance, is in the sunflower family with sunflower-like flowers, but its whorls of broad, leathery leaves look very similar to this Rumex dock from the Old World. It possesses various amounts of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Curly dock ( Rumex crispus) is a perennial native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. Magnesium is required for the formation of bones, impact osteoblast activities as well as osteoclasts which helps to build the density of bones. Fiber has a vital role in digestion because it adds bulk to the stool, eases to pass the waste through the digestive tract that helps to prevent constipation, indigestion and bloating. It's a powerhouse of antioxidants. Simply click the play button on the right! Because it is so widespread and well-known, curly dock and its relatives have been the namesake for several other plants that have similar leaves. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants, Climbing False Buckwheat (Crested Buckwheat). A thin whitish sheath grows around the node (where the petiole and stalk meet.) (See below for close-up pictures of the seeds.) Its flower clusters usually constitute the upper half of the plant. Enhance digestion Dock helps to solve stomach issues. Calories from Fat5.76 Kcal. Curly dock is primarily used for its extensive medicinal purposes; however, it is sometimes consumed for culinary purposes. The anthraquinones present have a markedly cathartic action on the bowel, but in this herb they act in a mild way. Look for it along roadsides, ditches, edges of wooded areas, and in fields. amzn_assoc_design = "in_content";
The flowers turn pink or reddish as they mature. The low level of potassium increases the chances of kidney stones because more amount of calcium is excreted through urine which must get pass through kidneys. Ointment. Curly dock is an herbaceous perennial with yellow, spindle-shaped taproots. It grows wild in poorly maintained soils, like wastelands and roadsides, and it is even seen occasionally springing up spontaneously in arid zones. Furthermore, its not typically as prolific of a weed as dandelion at least not in urban areas. Native Americans reportedly used the seeds in flour and meal; they cooked a mush from the seeds, but only in times of need. Native to Europe, it is available in United States, Australia, New Zealand and others. Yellow dock is an ingredient in some herbal toothpastes. Management: Biological Predation/grazing: Not readily eaten by livestock, intensive grazing will likely result in an increase in curly dock populations. It treats rashes as well as eczema and other skin conditions. Young, tender, early season leaves of curly dock have been used as a wild green in mixed salads, or cooked (in several changes of water) as a potherb. The cooling properties were also used to soothe insect bites and stings, as well as scalds, blisters and sprains. Pale smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia) is sometimes called dock-leaved smartweed for its leaf shape, too. Dock has been used throughout the ages as a "blood purifier.". Once the tiny seeds nestled inside flat, vaguely triangular . The leaves, stem, and seeds of broad-leaved dock can be eaten like those of curly dock, but the root does not have the same medicinal qualities. Lower leaves are longer and more rounded than the stem leaves. The leaves can be eaten as a side or added to soups. A single plant can produce 40,000 seeds. Dried they can be used as a seasoning for rice, potatoes, seafood or sandwich spread. Taking too much yellow dock can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, excessive urination, skin irritation, and low blood levels of potassium and calcium. Instructions In a bowl mix together the crushed yellows dock seed, flour and salt. Eaton, J. S. (1989)Discovering wild plants: Alaska, western Canada, the Northwest. The youngest leaves smooth margins that get progressively more rippled as the leaf matures. Curly dock is a widespread, well-known introduced plant, often viewed as a weed. Ill have to cruise around your site for a bit. Yellow dock can be used in small amounts for short periods of time or intermittently. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
This post is not intended as a identification guide and you should use a reliable source to identify wild foods before consuming. Therefore it is crucial that you remove yellow dock from your yard as as soon as you spot it. The seed is roasted or a perfect substitute for coffee. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Seeds appear in late summer and fall. The stems of young plants can be chopped, simmered and sweetened with honey as a substitute for rhubarb pie. Iron and copper combines while synthesizing red blood cells and hemoglobin. It is an amino acid which is obtained from the consumption of protein foods such as meat. Its leaf stalks, which can grow anywhere from 1 to 3 feet, are often used in salads. Close-up of curled dock seeds. Try adding yellow dock or dock vinegar to iron-rich foods, such as nettle, chickweed, and seaweed. Its just extra fiber and wont hurt you. Beta carotene in the form of Vitamin A helps to prevent macular degeneration which is one of the causes for the age related blindness. Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. Store in an airtight container. Safety during pregnancy has not been established. Docks have grown in Britain since three ice ages ago, and remains of dock have been found in places where people once farmed, such as the ancient Celts. Its heart-shaped seeds are high in fiber. The young leaves are tasty but its best to avoid them as they get larger and contain more oxalic acid. The flavor is similar to the leaves, except more green tastingsomething like green beans. The seeds have been ground into a flour and eaten, similar to buckwheat. Yellow Dock has many traditional uses, including: Treating diarrhoea; Reducing inflammation due to arthritis or gout; Variations of the yellow dock. Awesome post Lisa, I found it very educational. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Because curly dock is cross-pollinated by wind, its flowers attract few insect pollinators. Four Season Foraging now offers free audio versions of articles with the help of a text-to-speech website. The leaves may be chopped, cooked, and added to tomato sauce, pasta, in a filling for ravioli, or in gnocchi. Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. New York: Sterling. When there is deficiency of copper, the level of iron also decreases which causes anemia that is caused due to the deficiency of iron. Since the flour doesnt have gluten and contains a high amount of fiber, its easier to work with if mixed with wheat flour. Bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by approximately (to 2 cups). The fruits turn from green to reddish to finally, in June, dark brown. Thrives in nutrient rich, heavy damp soils, but can adapt to dry areas with poor soils. Chop into hummus or sour cream dip for a lemony flavor. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
I thought that too, until I learned a trick which makes it super easy. HerbaZest.com. Since your livestock cant eat ityou may as well make good use of it. It serves 2.66 grams of protein, 0.93 grams of fat and 3.9 grams of dietary fiber. The human body converts carotene into vitamin A, this actually increases night vision. But I do find the flavor tart and earthy. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. ROUND-LEAVED DOCK Botanical: Rumex obtusifolius---Synonyms---Common Wayside Dock.Butter Dock. If you like our foraging tutorials, please consider joining us on Patreon! This is really useful because it grows in my garden and I cant seem to get rid of it. This compound has a laxative effect, making yellow dock root an excellent remedy for constipation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dock, rice, feta cheese and seaweed parcels. Besides curly dock, broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is the main species thats eaten. Another lovely gift from the foraging world is that the process of harvesting curly dock seeds is an exceedingly simple one. The main stem is ribbed, stout, and mostly unbranched. Im Lisa Lynn and this is The Self Sufficient HomeAcre. Elongating flowering stems are smooth, ridged, often reddish, and branched toward the top with enlarged nodes. Thank you for the information! Photo by Thayne Tuason. As far as I know, there are no poisonous species of dock, though some are considered inedible due to unpalatability. Flowers have greenish sepals that become reddish brown at maturity. Some people say theyre not worth harvesting because so much processing is required to separate the seed from the chaff. So far it feeds the compost bin. The self-reliance challenge sounds fun! Native to Europe, it has been introduced to all fifty states in the US and all Canadian provinces except Nunavut. . Instead, practice positively identifying the plant during the growing season. The clusters of mature fruits, along with the entire top of the plant, turn dark brown when mature and are easily seen along roadsides. They will have a slimy texturethis is good. Some people, however, may develop skin irritation on contact with the plant. Curly dock plants are ubiquitous in the wild and it is quite easy to come across them in fields, gardens, and roadsides. Both species are erect perennials from 1.5 to 3 ft tall, occasionally to 5 ft tall. As a relative of buckwheat, dock seeds are edible as well! Reputed to taste similar to buckwheat, dock seeds is an ingredient some... Prostrate rosette of foliage grows in my garden and I cant seem to get rid it! Very curly ) a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior use... Woody material such as nettle, chickweed, and reduced in both number and size with! 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Pale smartweed ( Persicaria lapathifolia ) is a plant with a variety of health benefits also! For tough, woody material such as roots, bark, and toward... Are often used in salads not in urban areas Canada, the.. All together as one they can be chopped, simmered and sweetened with honey a! For short periods of time or intermittently, I found it very educational all fifty States in the iron from.