Yellow Dock – 20 Seeds

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus), is a sturdy perennial flowering plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae, that grows about 40 – 120 cm tall. Other common names of the plants are curly dock, curled dock, narrow dock, sour dock, rumex, yellow dock, Chin-ch’iao-mai, garden patience, parell and patience. The yellow roots and rhizomes are used medicinally.

The initial leaves on the plant emerge to form a rosette. As the plant matures, the thick single stem bolts, reaching up to 5 feet in height and the stem leaves become progressively smaller up the flowering stalk.

Yellow Dock Culinary Uses

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 seeds of the yellow dock, once dried thoroughly, are edible as well. 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. 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.

Yellow Dock Medicinal Benefits

• Poor digestion – Stimulant laxative effect to relieve constipation
• Throat Infections – Helps with relieving dry cough, sore throat and laryngitis.
• Intestinal infections – Remedy against internal parasites – tapeworm and roundworm
• Helps in the treatment of Arthritis, Jaundice, Fungal Infections and vascular disorders.
• Skin conditions – With naturally astringent properties, it can be applied topically to alleviate swelling, bruising, rashes, sores, fungal infections, insect bites, acne and eczema.
• Liver detox – Regular consumption of this herb will stimulate the detoxification process in liver and boost the production of bile.

CAUTION: It should not be used by people with kidney disease, liver disease, or an electrolyte abnormality.

Growing Yellow Dock

Indoor Sowing: Cold Stratification and then sow seeds.

Direct Sowing: Autumn.

• The seeds generally require temperature fluctuation to sprout. This can be achieved by planting seeds outdoors in Autumn and germination will then take place in Spring.
• Alternatively you can start the seeds indoors after first cold stratifying the seeds for 1 month in the refrigerator and then sowing the seed.
• Fill a pot or tray with moist seed starting mix.
• Scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly cover them with soil.
• Place the tray in a warm area.
• Keep the seeds evenly moist throughout germination.
• Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, transplant them to their final location when nighttime temperatures are consistently 6°C or higher
• Once established, yellow dock likes moist garden soil.