Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Folk Names: Dock, curly dock, curled dock, Garden Patience, Narrow Dock, Patience Herb, Sour Dock, Parell
Parts Used: Roots, Seeds, Leaves
Yellow dock is a perennial plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family. It’s scientific name is Rumex crispus although there are a couple of subspecies including Rumex crispus ssp. littoreus which has a coastal distribution, and Rumex crispus ssp. uliginosus which is found along tidal estuarine mud.
The History of Yellow Dock
Yellow dock is native to Europe and Western Asia but has spread to a variety of places and is considered an invasive species in many areas including South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Culinary Uses
Add leaves to salads moderately, the young leaves are better as yellow dock leaves get bitter with age.
Yellow dock is often used in the form of a decoction, to create a decoction: Bring 1 litre of water to the boil and then reduce the heat adding one cup of dried or fresh root of dock, cover the container and allow to boil for 12 minutes. Allow the liquid to rest for a further hour and then sieve out the yellow dock, sweeten with a little honey and drink up to four cups a day.
Another way to use yellow dock is in the form of a syrup. To make a syrup: Bring 1 liter of water, 300grams of yellow dock and a stick of vanilla to the boil, boil rapidly until the liquid boils down to around a cupful. Sieve the liquid to remove the yellow dock, then add half a cup of honey, half a cup of molasses and a teaspoon of maple syrup.
Medicinal Uses
The laxative properties of this herb is well established and it can often be found as a main ingredient in such therapies from your herbalist. A decoction is a great way to help constipation (see the recipe above).
Drinking a cup of warm tea prepared with yellow dock is said to aid digestion and improve appetite while assisting the liver and invigorating the colon.
Yellow dock also helps to settle the intestines and reduces inflammation of the intestinal lining. These properties make it a favorite for continues therapy of slow moving bowls and is beneficial for treating bowl infections and peptic ulcers.
As a diuretic yellow dock helps to remove toxins from the body through the urinary system as well as healing urinary stones and water retention.
Syrup is also another way to use yellow dock (see recipe above) one teaspoon of yellow dock syrup can be taken to relieve a scratchy throat and also to help with bronchitis and asthma. Place on the skin to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes, boils and abscesses.
With an extremely high content of iron yellow dock is a beneficial treatment for iron deficiency. It also contains high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium.
Magickal Uses Of Yellow Dock
Yellow dock can help us release the burden of emotional waste, cut bindings and clear blockages that are stopping us from moving on.
Yellow Dock is used to draw in money and business, to do this rinse the door nobs and cash resister of your business using a cloth and yellow dock tea. You can also use yellow dock tea to wash your floor or carry a mojo bag with dried yellow dock inside.
Yellow dock also attracts a lover or love to you, simply drink a cup of tea thinking of attracting love or use it as a face and hand wash before you see the one you love.
Warnings
Yellow dock should be consumed in moderation as it can, in high doses irritate the urinary tract and increase the risk of kidney stones. It should also be used with care when breastfeeding as it can cause babies to get diarrhea.
We have listed known warnings about this plant. These warnings are a guide only and although some magical herbs are safe in small quantities they can be poisonous in large doses or if used incorrectly. If you are not experienced in herbs the rule to stick by is “when in doubt….don’t risk it”.
We have plenty of herbs for ritual and magickal use that can be ordered online through https://thesacredwillow.com.au/
References: “Wikipedia.org”. Rumex crispus. Retrieved 05/04/2016, “Herbs2000.com”. Yellow Dock. Retrieved 05/04/2016, Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (October 1985). Print.
Disclaimer: This site is for informative purposes only and its content should not be considered professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy it is no replacement for the attention of a dedicated professional. The Sacred Willow and it’s proprietors cannot be held responsible for any damage and/or injury suffered resulting from actions and/or decisions based on information found on the site. Please do not self diagnose any condition regarding your own or another’s health. Always seek professional advice or arrange a consultation.
Some of the information provided on this Witchcraft Blog are based on myth, folklore and tradition and may suggest some supernatural or medicinal powers, however we make no claims as to their medical, magickal, psychic or esoteric properties and are sold as curios only.
