Herbs of the Field - Curly Dock

Also known as Yellow dock, is known for its tenacious grip when in your garden! Curly dock has a history of domestic herbal use. It has been used internally and externally for common aliments.

Drying the leaves and grinding, can be used in salves, or dusting on sores, ulcers, and other skin problems. Mashing the roots can then be used in poultices for skin problems. In addition, the root has been used as alternative and tonic and taken for some cancers. Also the root harvested in the fall before front, can be used for a cough. Curly dock’s root is known as an alternative, antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, laxative, and mild tonic. Curly dock has been used for diarrhea and/or constipation (depending no the amount consumed), as well as bleeding of the lungs, and chronic skin diseases. Curly dock is a gentle and safe laxative for mild constipation. 

Identification: germinates in late spring through early fall. Prefers moist soils and cool temperatures. Young leaves are smooth, egg-shaped with red spots on the upper surface. Leaves are shiny, becoming more reddish-purple. Leaves are alternate on stem. Rosette of 15-20 cm long leaves, wavy margins. Late June, flowers through summer. Flowers in clusters 15-60cm long. Greenish to reddish brown when mature. Seed is enclosed in the fruit in a papery 3-winged triangular structure. Seeds are triangular, glossy and reddish brown when mature.

Harvesting: Young leaves early in spring are less bitter, or in autumn are pleasant tasting. Seeds dried and ground can be used as a flour. 

Usage: poultices, flour, raw or cooked, soups

Cautions: contains oxalic acid, okay in small quantities, amount is reduced when cooked