-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Rumex crispus

synonyms: yellow dock

part(s) used: root

qualities:

affinities: liver, kidneys

actions: alterative, astringent, cholagogue, detergent, purgative, renal depurative, tonic

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

specific indications: vitiated blood with chronic skin diseases; low glandular and cellular deposits with tendency to indolent ulcers; feeble recuperative power; chronic sore throat, with glandular engorgement and hypersecretion; cough, with shortness of breath and precordial fullness; dry, irritative laryngeal-tracheal cough; stubborn, dry summer cough; nervous dyspepsia, with epigastric fullness and pain extending into the chest. (Felter and Scudder, p. 610)

therapy: ulcerative stomatitis, morning diarrhea, necrosis, cancer, scrofula, syphilis, tuberculosis, stomach ulcer (Ellingwood, p. 378); obstructive jaundice; constipation (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 183); skin disease, especially psoriasis; anemia; lymphatic problems; coughs; chronic upper respiratory infections; slow healing wounds; hemorrhoids; varicose veins (Anderson Geller)

toxicity: 0; see oxalate toxidrome

» may cause changes in lactation; milk may become ill-flavored and reduced in nutritional quality; a reduction or cessation in lactation may also occur (Muenscher, p. 19); an assortment of plant chemicals, including some toxins, can be secreted during lactation; oxalic acid and oxalates may decrease absorption of some nutrients (Libert and Franceschi; Westbrooks and Preacher, p. 47); may also induce gastric disturbances (Duke, p. 415)

» handling of fresh leaves may cause contact dermatitis

» Caution is advised for individuals with a history of kidney stones, due to oxalate content (McGuffin)

constituents: anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, rumicin and oxalates

footnotes

Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.

British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Libert, B., Franceschi, V.R. 1987. Oxalate in crop plants. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 35: 926-938.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

Westbrooks, R.G., Preacher, J. W. 1986. Poisonous Plants of North America. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.