Herbal Remedies Information - Yellow Dock

This article is part of a series giving information about herbs and their medicinal properties. We are going to look at yellow dock in this article. You will find out what this herb is, how you can use it and the conditions that could be helped by yellow dock.

What is Yellow Dock?

Yellow dock is a relatively small, leafy plant and has a yellow-brown root which is where its name comes from. It can be found growing wild throughout the world and is usually considered a weed. The plant is often also called curly or curled root due to the appearance of the leaves. In many parts of the world the leaves are used for food and the root is used for herbal remedies.

How to use Yellow Root

Both the leaves and the root can be used in herbal remedies and in fact it is quite a mild herb and so is often used in combination with other remedies. You can make a number of your own remedies at home with the plant. For example you can make yourself a yellow dock tea by adding 2 teaspoons of the root to 500ml of water and boiling for 10 minutes. You can add honey once complete to taste.

In addition you can also buy a number of remedies from your health food store and can be found in the form of both pills and capsules. You can also make a number of remedies for external use, for example you can grind down the root and apply it as a poultice. In addition you can boil down the leaves and stem and then apply them directly to skin irritations.

Uses of Yellow Root

Yellow dock has a number of uses and one of the main ones is for digestive problems. It has some laxative properties and so can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from constipation.

In addition another vital use of yellow dock is its ability to restore and support the function of the liver. For that reason it can be a very useful herb in the treatment of liver disease and could be particularly useful alongside other forms of treatment due to the fact it is relatively mild.

Yellow dock can be used externally on a number of conditions due to its antiseptic properties. In this way it is useful for treating things like cuts, swelling, rashes, burns, bleeding haemorrhoids, bites and stings and other wounds. In addition it is commonly used to sooth stings people get from stinging nettles. It can also be taken internally to treat skin condition like psoriasis, eczema, acne, poison ivy, and other rashes. In this case it is often used in combination with other herbs like red clover, dandelion and burdock.

Other condition that could benefit from yellow root include gallbladder disorders, vaginitis, fibroids, anaemia and swollen glands.

Side Effects and Precautions

There is no set dosage for yellow dock and so pregnant women and those that are breast feeding as well as young children should not take yellow dock. In addition people who have any chronic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, such as duodenal ulcers, oesophageal reflux, spastic colitis, diverticulitis, or diverticulitis, should not take yellow dock.

It is also recommended that people who suffer from kidney stones do not take yellow dock. In addition if you are using it as a laxative this should be for only a few days. If symptoms persist you should visit your doctor immediately. Side effects include diarrhoea, skin eruptions, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases damage of the kidneys can occur shown by blood in the urine, decreased urine flow, and swelling of hands and feet.

By: Mercedes Aspland

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

This article has been supplied by alternative therapies directory. You can also find more information on our Herbal Medicine page.