Curly Dock root is used to tonify the gall bladder and liver. Medicinal Properties Curly dock gets its other common name (yellow dock) from its yellow root, which gets its color from the compound anthraquinone. We’ve made both a vinegar extract from yellow dock root, and it was honestly one of the worst things I’ve ever tasted. Hailing from Europe and widely distributed around the world, curly dock - also known as yellow dock - is now considered as an aggressive weed; however, it has a long history of medicinal applications that are still valued by herbalists. The leaf’s curls capture rain, mist and dew channeling the water towards the central leaf vein then down towards the root. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. , 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. Tincture. Curly dock leaves are  rich in vitamins C and A, and offer a bitter, lemony taste. It is a bitter tonic, astringent, gentle laxative, and alterative. In medicinal preparations, curly dock is typically taken in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock root. When applied topically, a decoction of the roots can help relieve skin sores. One related plant is curly dock or yellow dock (Rumex crispus). Usually the pink tinge shows up in the older, tougher leaves, so many times you want to avoid them altogether. Curly dock is characterized by its distinctive pointed green leaves with curled edges; pale green, drooping flowers; and reddish-brown winged fruit. The plant is curly dock, a rhubarb relative in the buckwheat family known alternately as sour or yellow dock. )… Also called yellow dock, the yellow root helps to increase bile production which is also yellow in color. Seeds are usually sown 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep, with as little as 8 inches (20 cm) of distance between each plant. Start by knowing that there are a number of varied species, some native and some invasive. Yellow dock is an ingredient in some herbal toothpastes. Curly dock plants are ubiquitous in the wild and it is quite easy to come across them in fields, gardens, and roadsides. Taste Mildly bitter, Spicy Curly dock is primarily used for its extensive medicinal purposes; however, it is sometimes consumed for culinary purposes. I’ve read several comments that curly dock roots may be eaten as a substitute for potatoes, but I’m pretty sure that they don’t taste the same. While burdock root may seem like a crazy wild edible, it’s actually a cultivated edible in many parts of the world. I cook these greens like I would collards, or mustard greens, removing the center rib from the larger leaves, and cooking the tender leaf parts. (The roots, not the foliage.) DON’T BE A MORON. The astringent, laxative, and antioxidant properties of curly dock have made it a useful herb with many medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation. Word to the wise, many consider this plant toxic to livestock (bovine and equestrian), and the seeds are toxic to poultry. Simply processed syrups and tincture, as well as curly dock supplements can be found in specialized health stores and online retailers. Invasivore eating is one of the most locally-sourced, extremely sustainable ways to … The best time for planting is springtime, so roots can be harvested during the fall of the following year. The herb has a long history of medicinal applications. (The roots, not the foliage. Using wild edible plants is the best way we can defy the system, maintain our health, and get our independence back. 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. HerbaZest.com is not responsible for the accuracy of the information. On the other hand, the flavonoids contained in curly dock possess a strong antioxidant ability, which helps protect cells from free radicals, thus preventing age-related diseases and relieving inflammation. Wednesday, April 1, 2009. ©Copyright 2020. Despite the similar name, the … The dock is coming in really thick right now. But the greens are at their edible … The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. This remedy is made by macerating the crushed parts of curly dock with vodka or a neutral alcohol. Herbalists know that burdock root is powerful medicine, but most would be surprised to learn that the burdock is edible as well. Decoction. It's great for the liver and kidneys. .. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Cook leaves in small amount of water for about 10 minutes. One of the farmers that sells it says he has a good demand for it, though he personally thinks it tastes like dirt. I see it most frequently in fallow as well as planted fields, in pastures, even in lawns, and construction sites. Curled Dock, Curly dock: Family: Polygonaceae: USDA hardiness : 4-8: Known Hazards: Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Edible Parts: Leaves, Seed, Stems, Edible Uses: Coffee, Salad, Potherb, Vegetable, Pinole, Flour, Leaves - raw or cooked. Ointment. The dried and ground roots of curly dock can be inserted into gelatin capsules to be taken orally in medicinal doses, avoiding the particular taste of the herb, for treating constipation. Curly dock is technically considered a weed in over 40 countries, so there is no substantial information about its economic value. While quercetin also offer antihistaminic properties, myricetin, which is particularly abundant in curley dock, exhibit hypoglycemic and antiviral effects. This remedy can be taken for the relief of constipation. Curly dock's anthraquinones stimulate the areas in the brain that are responsible for regulating peristalsis - the movement of the intestines - giving the herb a laxative action, which makes it beneficial for relieving constipation. In medicinal preparations, curly dock is typically taken in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock root. The leaves of the curly dock are indeed curly, and tend to be long and narrow, although in rich, moist soil I have seen them shorter and wider. It has not been evaluated by the FDA. Burdock Roots. Fermented Curly Dock Leaves. A relative of buckwheat (the plant not the rascal), Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) is an easy to identify wild edible that occurs across most of the United States. May 23, 2014 - Explore Martin Shepherd's board "CURLY DOCK" on Pinterest. I always boil them in a few changes of water to leach out the oxalic acid before adding it in with my other greens. This plant prefers pH balanced soils although it can grow in very acidic and very alkaline soils as well. Furthermore, it stimulates the flow of bile, which aids digestion. So if you’ve got a farm, remove it and make good use of it by eating it yourself. The root of curly dock is yellow and intensely bitter. While it has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, I prefer to use it in cocktail bitters. The short answer is yes. The stems and leaves can be mottled with pinkish splotches at times. Booyah! Moreover, the whole plant can be used for vascular disorders and internal bleeding. This oily preparation can be applied topically for treating rheumatism. On the other hand, the name of curley dock's genus, crispus, is the Latin word for "curled, curved, or wavy.". I never bother collecting the seeds, but I do on occasion pick a few of the new growth leaves to boil in several changes of water along with other greens collected this time of year. Because of this, it is considered an invasive species in many parts of the U.S. Pull up a chair, grab a cold one, and enjoy. 17. Burdock has been introduced here in the US, where it's become invasive, like it's friend curly dock. Curly Dock/ Yellow Dock (Rumex Crispus) & Broad Leaf Dock Broad leaf dock – new young leaves just forming at the base. Curly dock or yellow dock (Rumex crispus) has an ancient history as a powerful purifying, cleansing herb, used to help healing a wide range of skin conditions and other chronic illnesses that can benefit from a depurative herb. Broad Leaf Dock. Other edible docks include R. occidentalis (western dock), R. longifolius (yard dock), and R. stenphyllus (field dock). Posted on January 24, 2013 by Wild Cookery! The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use. Burdock is a related plant from Asia, where the root is eaten not just for food, but for health. However, both plants have in the past been called ‘yellow dock’ from the color of the roots, which even William Cook notes are practically indistinguishable from each other. So, are these dock roots edible? The “curly” moniker comes from the wavy or crisped margins that often characterize the leaves and “sour” speaks to their pleasing, lemony flavor. However, both plants have in the past been called 'yellow dock' from the color of the roots, which even William Cook notes are practically indistinguishable from each other. The branched taproots are yellow in color and may be harvested. If too bitter, change water 2-3 times. This plant is also known as curled dock, narrow dock and curly leaf dock. Some younger leaves that would go well in the pot, The Death of a Doe- 280 Yds with a 6.8 SPC **Video**, Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) – Wild Edible Plants. Only the very young leaves should be used, preferably before the stems have developed, and even these are likely to be bitter. 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