Typically the sooner you get them, the more sweet and tender they are, but this depends on growing conditions. [citation needed] Some studies show that certain anthroquinones can help stop or slow cancer growth, but this may or may not apply to the ones in yellow dock. Lynne Blahnik June 10, 2015 at 12:53 pm. Curly dock (Rumex crispus, also called yellow dock) is one of those plants that is easily overlooked. This can help with bloating, urinary tract infections, and urinary stones, especially when taking into account yellow dock’s soothing effect. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is a perennial weed with a thick taproot.Leaves grow mostly at the base of the plant and are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins. )… The plant has both basal leaves and leaves on the stem, which are alternate. The flowers are long green spikes which turn reddish brown on maturity. Curly dock leaves, blanched and ready for the freezer. [3] The root-structure is a large, yellow, forking taproot. The leaves are fairly thick and the stems can get a tinge of red, especially in cold weather. This perennial herb, which is often considered to be a weed, grows wild in many areas of North America. In Western herbalism, the root is often used for treating anemia, due to its high level of iron. Put the chopped root in a non-reactive pot, such as stainless steel or glass. Add in water very slowly until the dough is pliable (not sticky). Fresh leaves of curly dock can be crushed and rubbed on areas of the skin that have been stung by nettles, to relieve the stinging. However, the roots can change while they are being cut. Curled dock root has been historically used to address tumors and cancer. From http://www.ediblewildfood.com/yellow-dock-crackers.aspx. These seeds are the best way to identify curly dock in winter, as they often remain on the dead stalk until spring. A curly dock plant produces around 40,000 seeds per year. grow in the United States and Canada. I think they combine well with something tart, like pickles, rhubarb preserves, or chutney. If a player has less than 4 slots open in their inventory, the additional roots will fall to the floor. It’s unfortunate that people aren’t more familiar with it, as the leaves, stem, seed, and root are all edible or medicinal. Curly dock is also known as yellow dock, narrowleaf dock, sour dock, yaller dock, curled dock, Bitter Dock, Bloodwort, Coffee-weed, Garden-patience, Narrowdock, Out-sting and Winter Dock. [12] Once the plant matures it becomes too bitter to consume. Add 3 cups cold water. Gastrointestinal problems Herb – Curly Dock – Yellow Dock Root – Rumex crispus . Despite this large quantity, they are rather inconspicuous because they are small and greenish (though they can also be yellowish or pinkish.) Yellow Dock or Curled Dock (Rumex crispus) This native of Europe is found along roadsides, fields, and waste ground throughout U.S. and southern Canada (Gleason and Cronquist, 1996). Also known as curly dock, yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a member of the buckwheat family. Yellow dock is generally cultivated Wild. Curly dock plants displaying their voluminous seedheads. This makes curly dock one of the easier plants for beginners to identify. The root can be dug throughout winter if weather allows. Western dock (R. occidentalis), dooryard dock (R. longifolius), field dock (R. stenphyllus), wild rhubarb (R. hymenosepalus) and patience dock (R. patientia) are all edible as well. This compound has a laxative effect, making yellow dock root an excellent remedy for constipation. Traditionally, yellow dock root has been thought to be a blood purifier and general detoxifier, especially for the liver. The seeds are shiny, brown and encased in the calyx of the flower that produced them. Corpsmember with curly dock removed from the Ag Heritage Center. Curly dock isn’t too discerning about its habitat, growing in full sun and part shade, fields, roadsides, trailsides, and other open areas. Your info is never shared. 1. However, you can just grind the seed and chaff all together as one. Otherwise you can harvest the root in the spring of its second year, or any year thereafter. On the stalk flowers and seeds are produced in clusters on branched stems, with the largest cluster being found at the apex. Trying to enjoy some young, tender leaves but even they are tough and bitter. Curly dock was introduced into the U.S., possibly arriving as a seed contaminant in the early 1600’s when the British brought crops and cattle to New England 1. New York: B. Intestinal infections … Perhaps just another word for dye and perhaps it had a use as a "paint" that was not documented. Direct application of curly dock (Rumex crispus) will give a yellow coloration. The root is additionally bitter. The root also has a diuretic effect, meaning that it stimulates urination. Instead, practice positively identifying the plant during the growing season. It spreads through the seeds contaminating crop seeds, and sticking to clothing. Yellow dock is more wide-ranging. Many species of dock (Rumex spp.) It is also useful against internal inflammation, such as arthritis and rheumatism. It mentions also passing pains, excessive itching, and that it helps enlarged lymphs. The main stem is ribbed, stout, and mostly unbranched. A thin whitish sheath grows around the node (where the petiole and stalk meet.) They often remain on the plant throughout winter. Eclectic herbalists often recommended curled dock root as a lymphatic herb, to address swollen lymph glands. If using dried root, you will need less: only about ⅓ of the original amount, or about 3 tablespoons in this instance. Four Season Foraging LLC • PO Box 8764, Minneapolis, MN 55408 • 612.440.5958 • info@fourseasonforaging.com. I didn’t like all the previous dock leaves I had eaten because they were stressed out and stunted from growing in poor, gravelly soils. - Homeopathic Remedies. This is due to the presence of anthroquinone glycosides,[16] and is not an action that should be relied upon, but seen as a possible effect of the plant when taken. Rumex crispus ssp. Herb: Curled Dock Latin name: Rumex crispus Synonyms: Rumex elongatus Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family) Medicinal use of Curled Dock: Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. This dock has large, broad heart-shaped leaves, unlike the long, narrow leaves of curly dock. The root of curly dock can grow quite large, so it’s easiest to harvest by digging alongside the root with a shovel or trowel, rather than attempting to pry it out of the ground. Rumex crispus, curly dock or curled dock, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae.. Its leaves may be eaten as part of a salad dish, but … The curled dock is an optimal host plant for certain Lepidoptera species including, Agrotis ipsilon (black cutworm). Chopping the roots requires two distinct actions. Players should be careful w… They are three-sided, oval to egg-shaped, with a sharp point on one end. Roadside weeds are typically sprayed with herbicides and should be avoided. starch) into the root instead of taking it away. The blog is generally updated twice a month. 4. Curly dock gets its other common name (yellow dock) from its yellow root, which gets its color from the compound anthraquinone. It is generally too bitter to be considered edible, though it does have some useful medicinal qualities, which are outlined below. Lust, John B.. Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) Most fields, waste places, roadsides, and weedy yards are good locations to find yellow dock (aka ~ curly dock, sour dock, narrow dock, garden patience and curled dock. This is a classic combination with the plant. Herbalists the world over use the root for many physical ailments. We're talking about the Rumex with long taproots, such as Rumex crispus, commonly called curly dock, and Rumex obtusifolius, the broad-leaved dock. 1 cup flour of your choice (I use all-purpose wheat flour). We respect your privacy. Also called yellow dock, the yellow root helps to increase bile production which is also yellow in color. The plant can reach heights of one to five feet at maturity. 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. This blog post was chosen in a poll by Patreon members. Curly dock is found throughout the United states. Regardless, dock leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. (Make sure you scrub the root clean first!) [9] In the United States, it is classified as a noxious weed in the states of Arkansas and Iowa. While it has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, I prefer to use it in cocktail bitters. Yellow dock has the “crisp” leaves with curly edges. It’s a simple way for you to help Four Season Foraging keep producing the informative content that you enjoy. It is used mainly for respiratory conditions, specifically those with a tickling cough that is worse when exposed to cold air. Reply. Prefer to listen to this article? Dock leaves are an excellent source of both vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as a source of iron and potassium. This casing enables the seeds to float on water and get caught in wool and animal fur, and this helps the seeds to spread to new locations. It is classified as an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959. In Western herbalism, the root is often used for treating anemia, due to its high level of iron. This plant is poisonous to goats and sheep therefore using them as a weed removal system isn’t the best idea. Both the leaves and root may be laxative in some individuals, though not in all, and generally it is mild. The curly dock root can be ground into a gluten-free flour as well. Strain the liquid into a mug or jar and discard the plant material. On a well-floured surface roll dough thinly. Seeds appear in late summer and fall. There are many edible docks, but curly dock and broad-leaved dock are the most common in the USA and Europe. Cut into desired shapes. There is a certain plant used for dyes that is closely related to the curly dock that the Zuni used for dyes, but it's name in Zuni meant paint. Side Effects. What is yellow dock? Leaf blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Broad leaf dock is similar to curly dock in its growth habit (taproot, mucilaginous) but its leaves lack the highly wavy margin of curly dock. No, better, even—the sour, lemony aspect was much more pronounced. Energy equals starch, which is the tasty part of the root that we humans like to consume! Yellow dock herbs have been used for centuries, valued for their medicinal and nutritional qualities. It propagates from seed. Dock leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which is what gives them their yummy sour flavor. If it’s tender enough, eat it raw; otherwise it’s delicious steamed or sautéed. curled dock, curlyleaf dock, narrow dock, narrowleaf dock, sour dock, yellow dock, sorrel. It’s best not to harvest roots when the plant has a living stalk (a dead winter stalk is fine), because that means that the plant is depleting energy from the root to make flowers and reproduce. [14] The dark-brown to black seed pods remain on the stalk until the spring when leaves start growing again. Dock leaves in spring, but past the edible stage. Dock Stalks. “Oviposition Preferences of Black Cutworm Moths Among Various Crop Plants, Weeds, and Plant Debris12.”. WM Cook writes 'Yellow-dock root is an alterative of the slowly relaxing and stimulating class, leaving behind a mild tonic impression that is sometimes classed as astringent. Bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by approximately ⅓ (to 2 cups). Simply pick the entire stem using a knife or clippers. It is a gentle and safe laxative, less powerful than rhubarb in its action so it is particularly useful in the treatment of mild constipation. The flower of curly dock is almost never found in mowed turf situations. Besides being beneficial, the overuse or prolonged use of yellow dock root may also cause certain side effects. Description. Curly dock is a tall plant that has broad green leaves that curl along the edges. (See below for close-up pictures of the seeds.) During early spring and summer, young curly dock leaves are edible as cooked greens in limited quantities. The herb book. Other edible docks include R. occidentalis (western dock), R. longifolius (yard dock), and R. stenphyllus (field dock). As far as I know, there are no poisonous species of dock, though some are considered inedible due to unpalatability. Store in an airtight container. In Western herbalism, the root is often used for treating anemia, due to its high level of iron. It doesn’t have a showy flower and the leaves can look kind of generic. No problem! If you are unfamiliar with curly dock, I don’t recommend immediately picking a dead winter stalk for the seeds. The plant produces an inflorescence or flower stalk that grows to about 1 m high. (photo credit: Boulder County Youth Corps / CC BY 2.0). The flavor is similar to the leaves, except more “green” tasting—something like green beans. Camazine, Scott and Robert A. Bye 1980 A Study Of The Medical Ethnobotany Of The Zuni Indians of New Mexico. The first cuts the root (80.8 Woodcutting experience) and the second collects the root (80.8 woodcutting experience) for a total of 161.6 experience. We respect your privacy. It’s just extra fiber and won’t hurt you. It is a bitter tonic, astringent, gentle laxative, and alterative. Burdock root is a vegetable that’s native to northern Asia and Europe. The best time to harvest the roots is after it’s grown in size, which means waiting at least until the fall of its first year. However, the best portion is the stem itself! As a relative of buckwheat, dock seeds are edible as well! crispus occurs on waste and cultivated ground. The greater portion of its power is expended upon the skin; but the gall-ducts, small intestines, and … Since the flour doesn’t have gluten and contains a high amount of fiber, it’s easier to work with if mixed with wheat flour. And with its wide distribution, it’s easy to start eating! Once the plant matures it becomes too bitter to consume. uliginosus occurs on tidal estuarine mud. Keep an eye out for this ordinary plant, and soon you will be able to pick it out of the landscape! For information about preparing curly dock root for potential medicinal uses, check out How to Harvest, Prepare, and Use Yellow Dock Root Medicinally by Survival Sherpa. The outer layer may be stringy, but this can be peeled before eating. (The roots, not the foliage. When the plant sends up a stem, the basal leaves generally become too tough and bitter to eat, but those on the stem may be palatable. Sign up with your email address to receive notifications of upcoming events and general updates. Start looking for dock leaves in early spring. PubMed:Carbohydrase inhibition and anti-cancerous and free radical scavenging properties along with DNA and protein protection ability of methanolic root extracts of Rumex crispus. The seeds grow in massive quantities on the stem and are quite easy to collect. Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. Ditomaso, Busching, M. K., and F. T. Turpin. [4], Common in Ireland,[5][6] the United States, and southern Canada.[7]. As long as you're not severely mineral deficient, and as long as you're not consuming unreasonably massive amounts of foods containing oxalic acid, you'll be fine! Harvest dock stems in late spring and early summer, before it reaches full height and any flowers appear. The root of curly dock is yellow and intensely bitter. Scurvy 3. Simply click the play button on the right! Then I found a beautiful stand of it growing in an open pine forest. 3 Mar. Where I live in Minneapolis, the ground freezes in winter, which makes it impossible to harvest roots at that time. Serves 4 to 6. Description. Furthermore, it stimulates the flow of bile, which aids digestion. As a cooling and healing root, it has been used to treat several kinds of inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and nettle rash. The resulting flour is much like buckwheat in flavor, and while some may find it too bitter, many prefer the seeds over the tartness of the leaves. Preserving Curly Dock Leaves. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375°F or until crisp. But this compound is also found in many cultivated plants, including rhubarb, spinach, and Swiss chard. Thank you for your support! If you live in a warmer climate you can probably dig curly dock roots throughout winter. Rumex crispus, the curly dock,[1] curled dock or yellow dock, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, native to Europe and Western Asia.[2]. [17], The Zuni people apply a poultice of the powdered root to sores, rashes and skin infections, and use infusion of the root for athlete's foot.[18]. It can be used as a wild leaf vegetable; the young leaves should be boiled in several changes of water to remove as much of the oxalic acid in the leaves as possible or can be added directly to salads in moderate amounts. It’s a cleansing laxative. Curly Dock has characteristics of being sour, and somewhat astringent. While one often reads warnings about oxalic acid in wild food literature, one rarely hears warnings about eating those domesticated foods. [15] It can be powdered and given in capsules, often in combination with stinging nettle – Urtica dioica. Collecting the roots yields 4 curly roots. Double Dock Dip with Burdock Root and Curly Dock Leaves from Foraged Foodie; Baked Dock Chips from Wild Food Girl; Slightly later in the season the leaves dry out and tear when pulled, and they’re no longer good eating. I believe that this is due to an unfair bias against wild foods. Curly dock (Rumex crispus), also known as sour dock, yellow dock, narrowleaf dock, or curled dock, is a perennial weed native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It is widely naturalised throughout the temperate world and has become a serious invasive species in many areas, including throughout North America, southern South America, New Zealand and parts of Australia. 2014, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rumex_crispus&oldid=982588534, Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 9 October 2020, at 02:24. Sift the seeds through a sieve or colander to remove any bugs or debris. [4] The species hybridizes readily with other Rumex species including Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex obovatus, Rumex palustris and Rumex maritimus. littoreus has a coastal distribution, and Rumex crispus ssp. Basal leaves can be as long as 12 inches and around 2 ½ inches wide; the leaves become smaller as they ascend the stem. The easiest time of year to notice it is in summer, fall, and often in the winter, when you can easily observe the multitudinous seeds. Then grind them in a grain grinder, coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or blender to make flour. So spring and fall are the best times to harvest roots, because that’s when the plant is putting energy (i.e. While many wild foraged grains must be winnowed, the pods of Rumex Crispus are small enough that it is more efficient to grind them with the grain. Syrup. Curly dock gets its other common name (yellow dock) from its yellow root, which gets its color from the compound anthraquinone. The yellow root helps to increase bile production which is also yellow in color. I used to hate dock, and could not for the life of me understand how people could compare it to spinach. Besides curly dock, broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is the main species that’s eaten. The plant may also cause intestinal discomfort to some people. It should feel supple and bendy; if not, it’s probably too tough to eat. This compound has a laxative effect, making yellow dock root an excellent remedy for constipation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2:365-388 (p. 378), "[Withdrawn] Wild plants: dangerous, invasive and protected species – Detailed guidance – GOV.UK", http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2734/2, "Rumex Crispus." They appear in whorls, meaning that they grow all the way around a single point on the stem. Then observe the plant as it ages through the fall and winter, and then start picking the dead winter stalks. [13] Curly Dock leaves are somewhat tart due to the presence of high levels of oxalic acid, and although quite palatable, this plant should only be consumed in moderation as it can irritate the urinary tract and increase the risk of developing kidney stones. This sheath become brown and papery with time, and eventually disintegrates. Curly dock is good forage for humans, though such is not the case for livestock. The leaves were large, light green, and supple; and they tasted just like spinach! The standard dosage is one cup 3 times a day, though this varies depending on the person and the condition. In Canada, it grows in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The herb, properly known as Rumex crispus, supports detoxification from a few angles.First off, yellow dock root stimulates bile production, which helps digestion, particularly of fats. 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. Web. Curly dock, Rumex crispus L., is a robust perennial with a deep, fleshy taproot that is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia.The plant initially forms a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves; it later bolts, sending up an erect flower stalk that can reach 5 feet in height. Curly Dock root is used to condition the gall bladder and liver. This is why with foraging it’s important to try species from varying locations! It is a bitter tonic, astringent, gentle laxative, and alterative. Emails are sent about 1-2 times monthly. It is also thought to be helpful for rheumatism and disorders such as scurvy and scrofula. PubMed: Rumex L. species induce apoptosis in 1301, EOL-1 and H-9 cell lines. Broad-leaved dock can be found in all 50 US states except Nevada, Wyoming, and North Dakota. The root and fruits are used as medicine. Some people say they’re not worth harvesting because so much processing is required to separate the seed from the chaff. Medical studies have shown that yellow dock root is also a liver stimulator, aiding in cleansing the blood. Normally, yellow dock grows and flourishes on odd places like abandoned lands, along the roads and even in ditches and trenches. The seeds are encased in a leaf-like capsule that turns brown and papery with age. Rumex crispus ssp. R. hymenosepalus (wild rhubarb) is common in the desert in the American Southwest. Infusions are used for herbs with delicate aromatic principles that require more careful preparation. Herbal Remedies & Supplements. Furthermore, it stimulates the flow of bile, which aids digestion. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to all fifty states in the US and all Canadian provinces except Nunavut. Adult moths oviposit on these dense, low-lying leaves during the spring/summer season.[11]. We have quite of few dock species, many of them preferring wet soil. Four Season Foraging now offers free audio versions of articles with the help of a text-to-speech website. It can be used as a wild leaf vegetable; the young leaves should be boiled in several changes of water to remove as much of the oxalic acid in the leaves as possible or can be added directly to salads in moderate amounts. The leaf stalks are used in salads. The leaves of curly dock are hairless, long and narrow, and often have wavy or curly edges—which is where it gets its common name. The seeds of the yellow dock, once dried thoroughly, are edible as well. To make a decoction, start with ½ cup finely chopped fresh root. Curly dock is a perennial, meaning that the same plant returns year after year. They can lay dormant for up to 50 years. Root is a yellow man shaped, pointing down, that helps downward movement in digestive tract. Lust Publications, 1974. N.p., n.d. However, this does require a note of caution, as oxalic acid prevents the assimilation of minerals such as calcium and iron. The plant will help with skin conditions if taken internally or applied externally to things like itching, scrofula, and sores. Your info is never shared. Furthermore, it’s not typically as prolific of a weed as dandelion— at least not in urban areas. 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. It contains emodin, a constituent that has been shown to have beneficial effects in fighting cancer. You could even pickle it! Curly Dock leaves are somewhat tart due to the presence of high levels of oxalic acid, and although quite palatable, this plant should onl… Due to the lack of viable seed in turf areas, curly dock spreads by root fragments. The flower grows 2 to 3 feet in height and appears from April to July. Seeds appear in late summer, and should be harvested when they’re brown, dry, and papery. Curly dock grows in a wide variety of habitats, including disturbed soil, waste areas, roadsides, fields/meadows, shorelines, and forest edges. In a bowl mix together the ground yellow dock seed, flour, and salt. Dock leaves are an excellent source of both vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as a source of iron and potassium. Broad Leaf Dock. Herbalists the world over use the root for many physical ailments. If you catch dock too late, it will send up a flower stalk that can grow to 3 feet high. Flowers grow in branching clusters at the top of the plant, in groups of 10 to 25. Decoctions are used for tough, woody material such as roots, bark, and twigs, in order to extract the active constituents. It has smooth leaves shooting off from a large basal rosette, with distinctive waved or curled edges. Yellow dock is thought to benefit the digestive tract, liver, and skin and to treat inflamed nasal passages. These crackers have a wonderfully earthy flavor. It also soothes the intestinal lining, making it useful against irritable bowels. Yellow dock is part of the homeopathic pharmacopoeia. Poor digestion1 2. [8] Then strip the seeds from the stem over a paper bag or large bowl. I believe that this is best way to learn to identify plants in winter. Overview Information Yellow dock is an herb. If you like our foraging tutorials, please consider joining us on Patreon! The creases along this dock leaf is a sign that it unfurled recently and is therefore likely tender and delicious. Also Known As. Then transfer them onto a well-greased baking sheet. It should be used with care during lactation, as it may cause a laxative effect in the infant. It may be found growing in abundance in waste places, roadsides or even dumps and ditches. Then keep the spot in mind for some yummy greens the following spring, and dig in! To get curly roots, players need to cut curled jade roots rather than straight roots in the Jadinko Lair. Fresh leaves of curly dock can be crushed and rubbed on areas of the skin that have been stung by nettles, to relieve the stinging. One of its primary uses by herbalists is for skin conditions associated with poor digestion, poor liver function or "toxicity."