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Yellow Dock at a glance: Latin name: Rumex crispus Family: Polygonaceae Origin: Europe and Western Asia Energetics: bitter, cooling, astringent, drying, moving Description: Traditional herbalism uses yellow dock primarily for the liver and gall bladder, the digestive tract, and the skin. As a bitter, it activates the liver and gall bladder, clearing liver congestion and jaundice and aiding in the digestion of fats. Because yellow dock is gently moving as well as drying, it simultaneously activates and calms the entire digestive tract, helping with sluggish digestion, constipation and abdominal distention, but also with diarrhea and dysentery. Herb box packing list: 3 oz organic yellow dock root cut and sifted 4 oz Nourishing Spring Tonic Tea (not in the small box) Yellow dock tincture/extract (not in small box) Yellow dock bitters herbal blend 4 oz Apple Cider Vinegar Compostable or recyclable packaging Lots of love and good intentions Yellow dock is also good for inflammation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the mouth; as an energetically cooling remedy, it's good for the kind of red, sore, angry conditions traditionally associated with heat. Medicinal Actions: alterative, astringent, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiscorbutic, cholagogue, decongestant, gently laxative, tonic Dose Tincture of root: 5 75 drops; root decoction: 1 pinch 1 Tbsp. Contraindications Use caution when consuming the leaves; the young leaves are high in chrysophanic acid, which can irritate the mouth, but can be washed off with water. The leaves are also generally high in oxalic acid, which binds calcium. Ir It is a cooling remedy, so contraindicated in chronically cold people and conditions.
Notes: Yellow Dock Root - Decoction A yellow dock decoction of root is a fine way to help get a daily dose of vitamins A and C, and keeping the digestive system moving along well. It can help improve liver function, and support healthy digestion. When you drink the decoction what flavors are prevalent there? Do you feel the tea affecting a particular part of your body? How do you think yellow dock would work in your body? Ingredients 1 teaspoon yellow dock root 1C water A non-reactive pot like stainless steel Directions Place the root and water into a stainless steel pot, and simmer it on low, while the pot is covered, for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, add honey if desired, and enjoy!
Yellow Dock Tincture This yellow dock tincture was made right here in Colorado by my apprentices and my self. Every winter I take the apprentices out to go and harvest yellow dock. We dig in the soil and compare the color of the roots from dry, arid, barren soil, and from well nourished grass lands. The color of the root is always much more yellow and rich than that of the more moist, farmer friendly soil. In this, I think it shows tenacity, as the tincture illustrates, it works well on deep seated conditions in the body, which require a release and flush of toxic build up in the body in order to improve health. Notes: This isn t a tincture to be used daily, but it works well as a spring tonic, for people with liver dysregulation or congestion, and people who need movement of fluids and stool in the body. Ingredients: Ethically wild harvested yellow dock root, 95% grain alcohol (by volume), purified water. Directions: Take 5-75 drops as needed. The drops can be added to tea, water, honey, or juice to make it more palatable. Cautions: Seek advice from a botanically knowledgeable practitioner if you have any health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is not a drug, therefore it is not approved by the FDA, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Notes: Nourishing Spring Tonic Tea This spring tonic tea is the perfect way to start spring off right. Featuring some of the first tonic plants to pop up in the spring, it is full of beneficial nutrients to help nourish the body and support it around the spring seasonal change. Ingredients you provide: 1-2 tablespoons of the spring tea blend 1-2 cups of boiling water Directions: Place 1-2 tablespoons of the spring tea blend into a tea pot or glass jar. Pour boiling water over it and allow to steep 15-30 minutes. Sweeten as desired and enjoy! Ingredients in the Nourishing Spring Tonic Tea (all organic): Red raspberry leaf, yellow dock root, dandelion root, rose hips, peppermint leaf Note: The recipe can be found in Angela s article in the Yellow Dock Issue of Natural Herbal Living Magazine
Directions: Yellow Dock Bitters Recipe Bitters are a tried-and-true remedy for helping along healthy digestion. I like to combine gentle bitters like yellow dock, with aromatic bitters like ginger to encourage movement, reduce inflammation, and disperse stagnation. This bitters recipe was inspired by a client whose sluggish digestion was made worse by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. This person had a very cold constitution, and constipation is generally a cold condition. This recipe, because it contains a number of warming aromatics, may irritate people with a hot/pitta type constitution. Overall, though, it has quickly become a favorite of mine. We are making these bitters with Apple Cider Vinegar, not like the alcohol used in the Yellow Dock Issue, in Amanda s digestion article. You can add 1-2 tablespoons to your bitter vinegar to make it an oxymel. The sweetness not only makes it more palatable, but also cools the bitters down a bit more for those with hot digestion. Apple Cider Vinegar has the benefit of adding probiotics to the mix, and helping to improve PH levels in the stomach. Ingredients (already packaged and in the box Recipe is in Amanda s digestion article): Yellow dock root, turmeric root, ginger root, cinnamon, black pepper Place your yellow dock bitters herbs in a 1 pint jar Pour the apple cider vinegar over the top. Add 1-2 tablespoons raw, organic, local honey (optional not in the box) Place either a plastic lid on the jar, or place some plastic between the lid and the jar so that the lid doesn t rust. Close the jar, label it, and allow it to sit 4-6 weeks. Strain well and bottle. Take 5-30 drops before each meal, to help improve digestion Enjoy!