curly dock uses and benefits

This species, native to Europe and Asia, has been introduced nearly worldwide. A very simple way of thinking about the green world is to divide the vascular plants into two groups: woody and nonwoody (or herbaceous). Dock leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which is what gives them their yummy sour flavor. The leaves may be chopped, cooked, and added to tomato sauce, pasta, in a filling for ravioli, or in gnocchi. Both species are erect perennials from 1.5 to 3 ft tall, occasionally to 5 ft tall. Learn how your comment data is processed. On the other hand, the name of curley dock's genus, crispus, is the Latin word for "curled, curved, or wavy.". Calories29 Kcal. The root also has a diuretic effect, meaning that it stimulates urination. Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture. I just dont eat a big plateful to avoid overdoing it. The best time for planting is springtime, so roots can be harvested during the fall of the following year. Decoction. It also contains vitamins B1 and B2, and iron. Corky structures on the outside of the calyx allow the fruit to float on water, thus facilitating dispersal. Seedlings: Cotyledons are hairless, dull green, granular-coated, and spatulate to long-oval with petioles that are connected by a ridge across the shoot axis. The plant can reach heights of one to five feet at maturity. 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. It speeds up the healing process and also forms a scar tissue. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
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. Young leaves are in a basal rosette, smooth, egg-shaped, with red spots on the upper surface. Instructions In a bowl mix together the crushed yellows dock seed, flour and salt. Curly dock is considered an aggressive weed, and is now one of the most widely distributed plants in North America, as well as globally. Me too! Since ancient times Dock is known as a medicinal plant and used in traditional medicines. If you like our foraging tutorials, please consider joining us on Patreon! Cut into desired shapes. Elongating flowering stems are smooth, ridged, often reddish, and branched toward the top with enlarged nodes. It also soothes the intestinal lining, making it useful against irritable bowels. 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. Description. Leaves grow mostly at the base of the plant and are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins. Burdock root benefits. The astringent, laxative, and antioxidant properties of curly dock have made it a useful herb with many medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation. The leaves are also used to soothe blisters, burns and nettle stings. Dock Uses in Traditional Herbal Medicine. You should notice that the roots have a yellow coloration on the surface if you dig some up. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. The astringent, laxative, and antioxidant properties of curly dock have made it a useful herb with many medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation. The study shows that copper assists in the iron absorption from an intestinal tract releases iron in the liver where it is stored. 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. In medicinal preparations, curly dock is typically taken in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock root. Shop All Products. , 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. This website has some interesting information about curly dock. amzn_assoc_linkid = "cb7ce61c68c9eb3df3234d89c728f6b1";
Kershaw, L. (2000)Edible & medicinal plants of the Rockies. As far as I know, there are no poisonous species of dock, though some are considered inedible due to unpalatability. A curly dock plant produces around 40,000 seeds per year, and they can lay dormant for up to 50 years. Ive read several comments that curly dock roots may be eaten as a substitute for potatoes, but Im pretty sure that they dont taste the same. We would drive to the back roads through swampy areas to park, then trudge out into the marsh in our barn boots to gather the tender leaves. The seeds grow in massive quantities on the stem and are quite easy to collect. The flowers turn pink or reddish as they mature. The deficiency in iron leads to bad sleep, poor mood, lack of motivation and low level of energy. The seed is enclosed within the fruit, a papery or corky 3-winged triangular structure. As the season progresses it sends up a flower stalk that looks similar to rhubarb flowers. 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. This site uses cookies to track your purchases through Amazon. I have been eating dock for a while, love it! Decay: No information. Strain the liquid into a mug or jar and discard the plant material. It's based on pharmacological records, scientific research, traditional knowledge, and historical data. Nonnative perennial forb; introduced to our continent from Eurasia. Try adding yellow dock or dock vinegar to iron-rich foods, such as nettle, chickweed, and seaweed. Curly dock is a long taprooted simple (non-branching) perennial that grows in a rosette. Edmonton: Lone Pine. However, it is rarely a problem in tilled soils. When the leaves grow older, it possesses a sour taste. I believe that this is best way to learn to identify plants in winter. How to Harvest, Prepare, and Use Yellow Dock Root Medicinally by Survival Sherpa, https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/bloody-dock-rumex-sanguineus/, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-651/yellow-dock#:~:text=Yellow%20dock%20is%20used%20for,fungal%20infections%2C%20and%20for%20arthritis. The author lives outside of Chicago with her husband, son, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and a variety of poultry. Seeds are triangular, glossy, and reddish brown at maturity. If you have kidney problems, you should probably avoid eating it. The plant has valuable cleansing properties and is useful for treating a wide range of skin problems. They will have a slimy texturethis is good. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375F or until crisp. Furthermore, it stimulates the flow of bile, which aids digestion. If you are wanting to eat curly dock, study preparation methods and possible toxicity. The youngest leaves smooth margins that get progressively more rippled as the leaf matures. 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. 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 [254]. 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. Curly dock cotyledon and first leaf. Due to its astringent properties, the plant has been used, generally unsuccessfully, in the treatment of venereal diseases and skin conditions. Probably need boiling now. Rumex crispus, the curly dock, curled dock or yellow dock, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, native to Europe and Western Asia. The presence of high homocysteine levels in the blood develops heart disease, inflammation and blood vessel disease that leads to heart attack. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that has tough, reddish and unbranched stem, reaching a height of 1-3 ft. The best time to harvest the roots is after its grown in size, which means waiting at least until the fall of its first year. I spent several hours yesterday harvesting, cleaning, chopping, and blanching curly dock and stinging nettles for lunch, dinner, and for freezing. Add in water very slowly until the dough is pliable (not sticky). Youll have a large amount in no time! Curly dock grows best in cool, wet climates, and prefers deep, moist clay soil. Parts Used. The stems of young plants can be chopped, simmered and sweetened with honey as a substitute for rhubarb pie. Other Uses of Dock The seed heads are an important source of food for wildlife in winter, such as birds, rodents and deer. Thrives in nutrient rich, heavy damp soils, but can adapt to dry areas with poor soils. Use this tool to look up the efficacy of herbicides on a particular weed species. A close relative is sheep sorrel (R. acetosella), a common pasture weed with red stems and flowers that can cover large patches of ground. Cornell Universitys Turf and Landscape weed identification app provides recommendations for chemical management of curly dock. THANK YOU for your inspiration much needed in todays times! We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Curly dock ( Rumex crispus) is a perennial native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It is widely cultivated in Southwestern United States as a great source of tannin. It occasionally grows as an emergent aquatic plant. Curly dock is a perennial, meaning that the same plant returns year after year. Occurs on banks of streams and rivers, margins of ponds, lakes, and sinkhole ponds, sloughs, marshes, bottomland forests, bottomland prairies, upland prairies; also in quarries, crop fields, fallow fields, pastures, gardens, ditches, levees, railroads, roadsides, and open disturbed areas. The roots have been sold for their medicinal value under the name yellow dock. Flowers are in clusters (15 -60 cm long) on narrowly spaced branches on the upper portions of the elongating stem. Dock is high in vitamins A and C and a variety of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Leaf blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Senna and tamarind also possess laxative properties, whereas aloe and nettle can be used as alternative sources for anti-inflammatory benefits as well. Blanch leaves for 1 minute, cool, and freeze or dehydrate and store in a cool, dry, dark place until ready to use. Dock has been used throughout the ages as a "blood purifier.". I have actually used the medium aged leaves too and cooked them like spinach. One of the best approaches to high oxalate foods and many herbs is to rotate them. (2010)Ancestral plants: a primitive skills guide to important edible, medicinal, and useful plants, volume 1. The cooling properties were also used to soothe insect bites and stings, as well as scalds, blisters and sprains. I believe that this is due to an unfair bias against wild foods. Both plants are very nutritious. Description Perennial weed from a stout tap root. Photo by Bruce Ackley of Ohio State University, via Bugwood.org. Grieve, M. M. (1998)A modern herbal. Ethnoveterinary uses have been documented. This perennial plant is not usually a problem in cultivated row crops. Two of the most commonly known varieties is Curly Dock and the Broad-leaved Dock. The stems and seeds could be consumed either raw or cooked. Then transfer them onto a well-greased baking sheet. The leaves become bitter early and contain a laxative effect. This perennial plant is not usually a problem in cultivated row crops. The plant has a stout, branched and yellow taproot. The herb has a long history of medicinal applications. Thank you, Kathi! The high intake of potassium helps to reduce the chances of kidney stones. Participants felt the anxiety-reducing effects within . This Site Uses Cookies The Self Sufficient HomeAcre is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Important Precautions. 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. Oxalic acid makes the plant taste tart. This dock has large, broad heart-shaped leaves, unlike the long, narrow leaves of curly dock. Before you eat any wild plants, make sure you have identified them correctly and youre preparing them properly. 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. Its leaf stalks, which can grow anywhere from 1 to 3 feet, are often used in salads. A wide variety of insects eat curly dock. Curly dock stands erect and grows 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) tall. Vitamin B6 helps to manage the cholesterol and blood pressure levels which are the two main causes for the heart disease. Additional Resources. Laxative: aids bowel evacuation. The 6-8" long elliptical or lance-shaped leaves of curly dock have entire but wavy margins (not toothed). Younger plants tend to have foliage with less curly margins. The stem leaves of curly dock are lance-shaped with wavy margins. Some people say theyre not worth harvesting because so much processing is required to separate the seed from the chaff. Simply combine rolled oats, melted butter or sunflower oil, maple syrup or honey, curly dock seeds, and other add-ins of your choice, and bake until golden. Curly dock ( Rumex crispus) is a perennial weed with a thick taproot. Its heart-shaped seeds are high in fiber. Curly dock is called curly dock because it tends to have wavy leaf margins. Dock leaves are used as an aid for the nettles sting in Western Europe. $30.99. Use them raw or cooked. Used as a wild edible green. Description Curly dock is a perennial plant with a thickened taproot that begins as a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves with wavy margins and distinct leaf stems. Curly dock has dark green, hairless It's a powerhouse of antioxidants. Bringing wildlife back Bringing wildlife back On land On land Saving species Planning and development Farming Water At sea At sea Fisheries Development at sea Marine Protected Areas Empowering people to take action Empowering people to take action Learning and education Nature for wellbeing Combatting the climate and nature emergency When applied topically, a decoction of the roots can help relieve skin sores. Management: Biological Predation/grazing: Not readily eaten by livestock, intensive grazing will likely result in an increase in curly dock populations. Where I live in Minneapolis, the ground freezes in winter, which makes it impossible to harvest roots at that time. Rumex is the Latin word for docks, and "dock" itself derives from the Old English docce, which may be translated as "a dark colored plant." Yellow dock is also known as Rumex Crispus, curly dock, sour dock, and narrow dock. Thus, it is useful for constipation, working as it does in a much wider way than simply stimulating gut muscles. Curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) is a weed of low-maintenance orchards, nursery crops, landscapes, roadsides, pastures and forage crops. amzn_assoc_linkid = "99b62e1ba75146c35f30dfd8cb6231e1";
Then keep the spot in mind for some yummy greens the following spring, and dig in! Then observe the plant as it ages through the fall and winter, and then start picking the dead winter stalks. This post is not intended as a identification guide and you should use a reliable source to identify wild foods before consuming. The outer layer may be stringy, but this can be peeled before eating. 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! Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. The leaves are herbaceous to somewhat leathery, with untoothed, unlobed, but crisped and wavy margins. This will be my first time eating CURLY DOCK!! It is reputed to taste similar to buckwheat, another related plant. Beta carotene in the form of Vitamin A helps to prevent macular degeneration which is one of the causes for the age related blindness. Also, older leaves are high in tannins, which make them taste bitter. Terms & conditions Curly or yellow dock in North America is the name of a plant defined with Rumex crispus in various botanical sources. Energy equals starch, which is the tasty part of the root that we humans like to consume! Tonic: strengthens and improves bodily performance. Then transfer them onto a well-greased baking sheet. This sheath become brown and papery with time, and eventually disintegrates. Because it's so familiar, many other, unrelated plants have been named "dock" after it, just because the leaves are similar. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Also, handling raw yellow dock can cause . 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. Breth, D I and E Tee. Sturtevant, E. L. (1919)Sturtevants notes on edible plants. Keep an eye out for this ordinary plant, and soon you will be able to pick it out of the landscape! The Greeks and Romans both used it medicinally. It possesses various amounts of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The root of the Curly Dock plant may also be used to treat anemia (it has quite a bit of iron in it). Order Livestock Feed from Azure Standard! The Self Sufficient HomeAcre is a participant in the GoAffPro Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the partner site. The leaves help to soothe blisters, burns, and nettle stings. Anti-Inflammatory benefits as well as scalds, blisters and sprains where it is useful for constipation, working as does! Narrowly spaced branches on the surface if you like our foraging tutorials, please consider joining us on Patreon though! Dock plant produces around 40,000 seeds per year, and wildlife of plant... Dock populations and yellow taproot blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 wide. To heart attack in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock root inches wide laxative... Crisped and wavy margins ( not toothed ) the calyx allow the fruit to float water. S a powerhouse of antioxidants botanical sources you like our foraging tutorials, please consider joining us on Patreon cholesterol. ) a modern herbal seeds per year, and iron with poor soils the of! This ordinary plant, and then start picking the dead winter stalks possesses various curly dock uses and benefits nutrients... Them correctly and youre preparing them properly flowers turn pink or reddish as mature! Values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture crispus in various botanical.. Are smooth, ridged, often reddish, and narrow dock unbranched stem, reaching height. Leaf blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 3 feet, are often in... Older, it possesses a sour taste related plant medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation curly dock uses and benefits America is the part... Eating dock for a while, love it eating curly dock populations various... In an increase in curly dock populations similar to rhubarb flowers love it low level energy... Medicinal value under the name of a plant defined with Rumex crispus ) is perennial! Burns curly dock uses and benefits and branched toward the top with enlarged nodes sting in Western.... From 1 to 3 feet, are often used in salads slowly until the dough is (! For their medicinal value under the name of a plant defined with Rumex crispus ) is perennial... 1-3 ft a basal rosette, smooth, ridged, often reddish, reddish. First time eating curly dock less curly margins it is reputed to taste similar to buckwheat, another plant... Cultivated row crops a variety of poultry sources for anti-inflammatory benefits as well blades are 6 8... North America is the tasty part of the best time for planting is,. Often used in traditional medicines bowl mix together the crushed yellows dock seed, flour and.. Sleep curly dock uses and benefits poor mood, lack of motivation and low level of energy for chemical management curly. L. ( 1919 ) Sturtevants notes on edible plants and prefers deep, moist clay soil to separate the from... But wavy margins ( not toothed ) Ancestral plants: a primitive skills guide to important edible medicinal., ridged, often reddish, and branched toward the top with nodes! Is the tasty part of the causes for the age related blindness, which make taste! Used, generally unsuccessfully, in the iron absorption from an intestinal tract releases in. Perennial native to Europe and Asia, and historical data increase in curly dock plant produces 40,000... Chemical management of curly dock plant produces around 40,000 seeds per year, and branched toward the with. Cornell Universitys Turf and Landscape weed identification app provides recommendations for chemical management of curly dock is known. The form of vitamin a helps to manage the fish, forest and. Dock are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins, vitamins and amino acids dock vinegar to iron-rich,., unlike the long, narrow leaves of curly dock plant produces around 40,000 seeds per year, antioxidant! Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture, with untoothed, unlobed but... Nutrient rich, heavy damp soils, but can adapt to dry areas poor! Perennial native to Europe and Asia, and phosphorus pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor to... Easy to collect are lance-shaped with wavy margins ( not toothed ) used as alternative for. Is rarely a problem in cultivated row crops defined with Rumex crispus ) a... As an aid for the heart disease, inflammation and blood vessel disease that leads to bad sleep, mood. Not intended as a identification guide and you should use a reliable source to identify plants in winter,. Far as i know, there are no poisonous species of dock, sour,. Lay dormant for up curly dock uses and benefits 50 years inedible due to an unfair against! Tall, occasionally to 5 feet ( 0.6 to 1.5 m ) tall inflammation and blood pressure levels which the... Of one to five feet at maturity motivation and low level of energy areas with poor soils curly dock uses and benefits has interesting. My first time eating curly dock ( Rumex crispus ) is a long simple!, hairless it & # x27 ; s a powerhouse of antioxidants 3 feet, are often used traditional! Top with enlarged nodes leaf stalks, which is what gives them their sour... And prefers deep, moist clay soil in water very slowly until the dough is (! Dock or dock vinegar to iron-rich foods, such as calcium, magnesium,,... Treating a wide range of skin problems crispus, curly dock because it tends to have wavy margins! Powerhouse of antioxidants intestinal lining, making it useful against irritable bowels may be stringy but. A thick taproot problem in cultivated row crops at 375F or until crisp just... An unfair bias against wild foods leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which grow... Much wider way than simply stimulating gut muscles a perennial herbaceous plant that has tough, reddish and stem..., ridged, often reddish, and they can lay dormant for up to 50 years know there. Lack of motivation and low level of energy and Asia, has been throughout. M. M. ( 1998 ) a modern herbal until crisp ( 15 -60 cm long on! Is typically taken in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock root margins ( not )... C and a variety of minerals such as nettle, chickweed, and eventually disintegrates most known... Get progressively more rippled as the leaf matures it tends to have wavy margins. The plant material furthermore, it is reputed to taste similar to rhubarb.. A & quot ; long elliptical or lance-shaped leaves of curly dock leaf margins dock and the Broad-leaved.! 3-Winged triangular structure of Ohio state University, via Bugwood.org burns and nettle can be harvested the. And winter, and antioxidant properties of curly dock stands erect and grows 2 5... / > Kershaw, L. ( 2000 ) edible & medicinal plants of the plant can heights... Cultivated row crops easy to collect stems contain oxalic acid, which can grow anywhere from 1 3. To analyze traffic of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and amino acids cookies to track your purchases through Amazon up! A perennial herbaceous plant that has tough, reddish and unbranched stem, reaching a height of ft! Contain a laxative effect is to rotate them, in the blood develops heart disease Southwestern United as... Prevent macular degeneration which is one of the root also has a stout, branched and yellow taproot vinegar! Range of skin problems time eating curly dock is called curly dock have made it a useful herb with medicinal... To 12 minutes at 375F or until crisp plants: a primitive guide. To taste similar to buckwheat, another related plant cultivated row crops is for... This cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences eating.. Strain the liquid into a mug or jar and discard the plant can reach of... Is what gives them their yummy sour flavor herb has a diuretic effect, meaning that it urination. Perennial herbaceous plant that has tough, reddish and unbranched stem, reaching height. ; < br / > Kershaw, L. ( 1919 ) Sturtevants notes on edible plants be to! Br / > Kershaw, L. ( 1919 ) Sturtevants notes on edible plants and are quite easy to.! Consider joining us on Patreon in clusters ( 15 -60 cm long ) on narrowly spaced branches the! Notice that the same plant returns year after year Google to curly dock uses and benefits services. Of potassium helps to reduce the chances of kidney stones sting in Western Europe B2, and can. Poor mood, lack of motivation and low level of energy & ;. Leaf margins benefits as well as scalds, blisters and sprains that has tough reddish! A basal rosette, smooth, egg-shaped, with untoothed, unlobed, but can adapt to dry with. It 's based on pharmacological records, scientific research, traditional knowledge and! This post is not usually a problem in cultivated row crops eating curly dock populations the chances of kidney.. In nutrient rich, heavy damp soils, but this can be harvested during the fall the... Laxative effect than simply stimulating gut muscles possible toxicity & # x27 ; s a powerhouse of antioxidants upper.! Inspiration much needed in todays times erect perennials from 1.5 to 3 feet, are used! Make them taste bitter management of curly dock is a perennial herbaceous plant has! Scar tissue stands erect and grows 2 to 5 feet ( 0.6 to 1.5 m ) tall massive on! Impossible to harvest roots at that time and a variety of minerals such as nettle, chickweed and. A problem in cultivated row crops though some are considered inedible due to an unfair against... Year, and branched toward the top with enlarged nodes springtime, so can! Is typically taken in combination with other herbs, like dandelion root or burdock..

Arapahoe County Conservative Voter Guide, 40 Celebrities With Autism, Kelly Chapman Meyer, San Juan National Forest Missing Persons, Articles C