Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Dock leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which is what gives them their yummy sour flavor. The clusters of mature fruits, along with the entire top of the plant, turn dark brown when mature and are easily seen along roadsides. Usually considered a weed of pastures, hay fields, and crop fields. No problem! Leaves grow mostly at the base of the plant and are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins. for medicinal reasons, most of which are based on the . The seed heads are also decorative and can be collected for ornamental flower arrangements. Because it is so widespread and well-known, curly dock and its relatives have been the namesake for several other plants that have similar leaves. Calories from Fat8.37 Kcal. Simply click the play button on the right! Keep an eye out for this ordinary plant, and soon you will be able to pick it out of the landscape! Both plants are native to Britain and Ireland and naturalised in North America. These leaves are not as bitter. The Medicinal Uses of Curly Dock: Curly dock may be dried alongside its roots which may be formed into capsules for oral consumption. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. I eat sorrel mixed with my salad leaves, must try dock its leaves are enormous! Its a simple way for you to help Four Season Foraging keep producing the informative content that you enjoy. But the leaf shape is highly variable, both on a single plant, and from plant to plant. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
The root of the Curly Dock plant may also be used to treat anemia (it has quite a bit of iron in it). Yellow Dock, in particular the taproot, has a long history of traditional use. As far as I know, there are no poisonous species of dock, though some are considered inedible due to unpalatability. I just dont eat a big plateful to avoid overdoing it. (2009)Edible wild plants: a North American field guide to over 200 natural foods. Manganese is vital for enzymes such a glutamine synthetase, arginase and manganese superoxide which acts as an antioxidants, reduce the oxidative stress as well as inflammation which can lead to cancer or heart disease. I hope you enjoy them! One source lists it as safe but I would do a lot of research before eating if pregnant. *Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Traditional uses and benefits of Spanish Cedar, Traditional uses and benefits of Asiatic Dayflower, Traditional uses and benefits of Climbing Dayflower, Traditional uses and benefits of Duck Lettuce, Traditional uses and benefits of Hairy Eggplant, Traditional uses and benefits of Desert Date, Health benefits of Air Potato ~ Dioscorea bulbifera, Traditional uses and benefits of Chinese Yam, Health benefits of Ramp ~ Allium tricoccum. Larger amounts have been given as a laxative and tonic. This is why with foraging its important to try species from varying locations! Diuretic: increases the secretion and expulsion of urine. Emergence: Curly dock seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit. They produce large quantities of fruits and seeds, which can be boiled into a mush or ground and added to flour or meal for making bread, muffins and gravies. Management: Biological Predation/grazing: Not readily eaten by livestock, intensive grazing will likely result in an increase in curly dock populations. Please note that you have the option to accept or reject cookies by clicking on the Privacy Policy tab along the bottom of the page. Leaves are hairless. Im glad you are willing to eat the wild foods I cook . It stimulates production of stomach acids and enzymes. Another lovely gift from the foraging world is that the process of harvesting curly dock seeds is an exceedingly simple one. Sift the seeds through a sieve or colander to remove any bugs or debris. Bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by approximately (to 2 cups). From http://www.ediblewildfood.com/yellow-dock-crackers.aspx. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. Beta carotene in the form of Vitamin A helps to prevent macular degeneration which is one of the causes for the age related blindness. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); POLICY Cut into desired shapes. Some people use yellow dock as a toothpaste. Young leaves are edible raw at this point. You can unsubscribe anytime. The seed is edible, and easy to harvest, but many people avoid collecting it because it can be difficult to process. My grandparents took me cow slipping in early spring as a kid. Dock leaves are used as an aid for the nettles sting in Western Europe. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate to ovate and are 30 inches long. Yellow Dock has many traditional uses, including: Treating diarrhoea; Reducing inflammation due to arthritis or gout; Variations of the yellow dock. Curly Dock Medicinal Uses Curly Dock, Rumex crispus, is closely related to common or broad leaf dock, Rumex obtusifolius. The greens are known to have approximately 4 times more vitamin A than carrots. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
Curly dock is characterized by its distinctive pointed green leaves with curled edges; pale green, drooping flowers; and reddish-brown winged fruit. When low levels of oxygen are present in the body, brain cannot synthesize properly. Intake of an adequate amount of water is essential for the fiber to provide these effects. Leaves: Leaves are shiny, progressively becoming more reddish purple through the season. The leaves are herbaceous to somewhat leathery, with untoothed, unlobed, but crisped and wavy margins. Two of the most commonly known varieties is Curly Dock and the Broad-leaved Dock. amzn_assoc_linkid = "cb7ce61c68c9eb3df3234d89c728f6b1";
Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum), for instance, is in the sunflower family with sunflower-like flowers, but its whorls of broad, leathery leaves look very similar to this Rumex dock from the Old World. Here are some of the insects whose favorite or only foods are species of Rumex: Globally, there are about 200 species in genus Rumex. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Leaf blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Curly dock foliage is long and narrow, up to 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. The fruits turn from green to reddish to finally, in June, dark brown. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Traditionally for maintaining healthy liver function*. Take this tea three times a day. Additional Resources. Curly dock is considered an aggressive weed, and is now one of the most widely distributed plants in North America, as well as globally. Curly dock contains oxalic acid which gives it a tart flavor and locks up nutrients in your digestive system if consumed in quantities. Some text suggests they should be avoided during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. Also known as curly dock, yellow dock has long been used as a form of skin remedy. The plant has a stout, branched and yellow taproot. The leaves are also used to soothe blisters, burns and nettle stings. Curly dock's fruit clusters turn dark brown in June. It treats rashes as well as eczema and other skin conditions. Lower leaves are longer and more rounded than the stem leaves. Because it's so familiar, many other, unrelated plants have been named "dock" after it, just because the leaves are similar. The greens are known to have approximately 4 times more vitamin A than carrots. Otherwise you can harvest the root in the spring of its second year, or any year thereafter. Description Perennial weed from a stout tap root. THANK YOU for your inspiration much needed in todays times! It is also useful against internal inflammation, such as arthritis and rheumatism. It is an amino acid which is obtained from the consumption of protein foods such as meat. Cornell Universitys Turf and Landscape weed identification app provides recommendations for chemical management of curly dock. Kershaw, L. (2000)Edible & medicinal plants of the Rockies. Thank you for your support! Use the young leaves in salads and older leaves in frittatas for brekky. When applied topically, a decoction of the roots can help relieve skin sores. Think of all the ferns, grasses, sedges, lilies, peas, sunflowers, nightshades, milkweeds, mustards, mints, and mallows weeds and wildflowers and many more! Serves 4 to 6. You are responsible for your own health and well being! Flowers grow in branching clusters at the top of the plant, in groups of 10 to 25. Phosphorus is essential for the functioning of kidneys and also detoxifies the body by removing the waste and toxins through the urination. It is reputed to taste similar to buckwheat, another related plant. Edmonton: Lone Pine. Curly dock is a widespread, well-known introduced plant, often viewed as a weed. The plant, which is found all across the United States, has considerable invasive potential due to the humongous number of seeds it produces and the length of time they remain viable in the soil (decades!). 1. By HerbaZest Editorial Team | Updated: Jun 18, 2020. I mix dock with silverbeet and make pie. Cut into desired shapes. Then observe the plant as it ages through the fall and winter, and then start picking the dead winter stalks. Simply pick the entire stem using a knife or clippers. Because it usually blooms about the same time that many grasses are also releasing large amounts of pollen into the air, it usually isnt recognized as a main cause of hay fever. Seeds appear in late summer and fall. The herb has a long history of medicinal applications. The Greeks and Romans both used it medicinally. Grieve, M. M. (1998)A modern herbal. I HAVE A DOCK PLANT IN A POT I TAUGHT IT WAS CALLED RED VEINED DOCK BECAUSE VEINS IN THE LEAVES ARE RED HAS IT ANY MEDICINAL USES. This will be my first time eating CURLY DOCK!! The best time for planting is springtime, so roots can be harvested during the fall of the following year. amzn_assoc_linkid = "cb7ce61c68c9eb3df3234d89c728f6b1";
Cornell Universitys Turfgrass and Landscape Weed ID app. Later in the season, or in second year of growth . Typically it's the vitamin-rich leaves which are most often enjoyed. The 6-8" long elliptical or lance-shaped leaves of curly dock have entire but wavy margins (not toothed). Cooked up as greens in a pot of boiling water, curly dock leaves remind me very much of the flavor of marsh marigold, which my family called cow slips. I started this blog to share my adventures in homesteading and self-sufficiency. I havent tried eating the seeds of curly dock yet. Gather a few of these tender leaves and rub them vigorously in the palm of your hand. The seed is roasted or a perfect substitute for coffee. The juice from the leaves can be applied as a compress to heal bruises. To be exact, it is a perennial herb in the family Polygonaceae. The dried fruit stalks have been used in flower arrangements and holiday wreaths. Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure. The main compounds behind curly dock's health benefits are anthraquinones and flavonoids. Curly dock grows throughout the US and southern Canada. The high intake of magnesium prevents osteoporosis and magnesium deficiency. This sheath become brown and papery with time, and eventually disintegrates. So look around you for a young curly dock plant with green leaves. In a bowl mix together the ground yellow dock seed, flour, and salt. However, the plant is valued by herbalists, who use its roots and leaves in supplements and various medicinal preparations. Curly dock gets its other common name (yellow dock) from its yellow root, which gets its color from the compound anthraquinone. (See previous blog post, link .) They are three-sided, oval to egg-shaped, with a sharp point on one end. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Flowers have greenish sepals that become reddish brown at maturity. The species scientific name is rumex crispus, and crispus in latin means curly while the word dock describes the solid part of an animals tail and "to dock" a tail is to remove it. Similar species: Thirteen additional species of Rumex have been recorded for Missouri. amzn_assoc_asins = "1647397111,1648769640,B08J6C17G4,B08S7S98L2";
. Blanch leaves for 1 minute, cool, and freeze or dehydrate and store in a cool, dry, dark place until ready to use. Thank you for the information! Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. The seeds have been ground into a flour and eaten, similar to buckwheat. Try adding yellow dock or dock vinegar to iron-rich foods, such as nettle, chickweed, and seaweed. Figure 1: Curly dock can thrive in a variety of habitats, including agronomic fields and pastures. Health Benefits of Dock Plants for Chickens; How to Feed Dock Leaves to Your Chickens; Some Other Weeds That Are Also Great for Chickens: In Summary; Resources; Health Benefits of Dock Plants for Chickens. In curly dock, there's a tan membrane-like sheath where each leaf joins the stem. The leaves of Dock contain oxalic acid which is also found in spinach as well as beets. A close relative is sheep sorrel (R. acetosella), a common pasture weed with red stems and flowers that can cover large patches of ground. The flavor is often described as lemony. Due to its astringent properties, the plant has been used generally unsuccessfully in the treatment of venereal diseases and skin conditions. When the plant sends up a stem, the basal leaves generally become too tough and bitter to eat, but those on the stem may be palatable. Cattle would need to eat considerable quantities of the plant to be affected (10-20 lbs of green plant for an adult cow.) Harvest dock stems in late spring and early summer, before it reaches full height and any flowers appear. The seeds are encased in a leaf-like capsule that turns brown and papery with age. Hatfield, G. (2008)Hatfields herbal: the secret history of British plants. The most common and widespread species that is most similar is bitter dock (also called broad-leaved dock or red-veined dock, Rumex obtusifolius), which has much wider, less wavy leaf blades. Ive read several comments that curly dock roots may be eaten as a substitute for potatoes, but Im pretty sure that they dont taste the same. Vitamin B6 helps to regulate the homocysteine levels in the blood. Description. Curly dock plants are ubiquitous in the wild and it is quite easy to come across them in fields, gardens, and roadsides. This plant's roots are prized for their anti-inflammatory, laxative, and antioxidant properties. Curly dock is technically considered a weed in over 40 countries, so there is no substantial information about its economic value. So do I! ---Description---It is a large and spreading plant, its stout stems 2 to 3 feet high, the leaves 6 to 12 inches long, with rather slender foot-stalks, the margins waved and the end or apex of the leaf rounded.The flowers are small, green and numerous, arranged in whorled spikes at the ends of the stem. It enhances the digestion as the soluble fiber absorbs the water to evolve into viscous, glutinous substance and fermented by bacteria in digestive tract. The flowers are not fragrant. It should feel supple and bendy; if not, its probably too tough to eat. A wide variety of insects eat curly dock. Quite like the stronger taste of the older leaves. About Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants in Missouri. Neurotransmitters depend on adequate amount of iron in the blood to maintain the positive mood. I believe that this is due to an unfair bias against wild foods. The appearance of the mature leaves resembles leaf lettuce (very curly). The aerial parts are a food source and the roots have strong medicinal values. Broad-leaved Dock and Curled Dock has been used in food and medicine for centuries. I wonder if you have bloody dock. For general guidance on weed control, get the latest edition of the Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines. Curly dock blooms April through June. Small, greenish white flowers appear on tall spikes. The flowers are many, about inch long, consisting of yellowish-green sepals that redden as they mature. Put the chopped root in a non-reactive pot, such as stainless steel or glass. Yellow dock benefits, scientifically known as Rumex crispus, is a versatile herb commonly found in Europe and Africa. I added a little salt and a vinaigrette dressing, but Im sure it would be good with just vinegar and salt. If you live in a warmer climate you can probably dig curly dock roots throughout winter. However, it is rarely a problem in tilled soils. As mentioned above, both docks contain Several Rumex species are high in vitamin c, vitamin a, protein, and iron. It was known as butter dock during old times as the large leaves was used to wrap butter. Mature seeds may be harvested and used to grind flour, although this is a time consuming task. The young leaves are tasty but its best to avoid them as they get larger and contain more oxalic acid. By late spring or early summer, dock produces tall flower stalks that bear copious amounts of seed, which are also edible. Oxalic acid is also common in several other plants such as spinach, wood-sorrels, lambs quarters, parsley, sorrel, and rhubarb. Blooms AprilJune. To make dock seed flour, start by collecting as much dock seed as you can. The astringent, laxative, and antioxidant properties of curly dock have made it a useful herb with many medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation. An altered form of Vitamin A helps to slow down the growth of Stargardts disease which causes vision loss in young peoples. Curly dock, Rumex crispus L., is a robust perennial with a deep, fleshy taproot that is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. Ill have to cruise around your site for a bit. The flowers turn pink or reddish as they mature. Stem leaves are alternate, subtended by an ocrea, and reduced in both number and size compared with basal leaves. Calories20 Kcal. Herbicide AI by Weed Species. Order Livestock Feed from Azure Standard! Calories29 Kcal. On a well-floured surface roll dough thinly. It is a gentle and safe laxative, less powerful than rhubarb in its action so it is particularly useful in the treatment of mild constipation. Due to its astringent properties, the plant has been used, generally unsuccessfully, in the treatment of venereal diseases and skin conditions. It possess various antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, homeopathy and laxative properties which has beneficial effects to maintain the overall health. It has a slender, erect stem that grows to about 3 feet (90 cm) in height. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The dried roots of the herb can be prepared as an herbal tea, which is prescribed by herbalists for treating rheumatism, liver problems, and sore throat. The leaves can be eaten as a side or added to soups. London: Tiger Books International. Ardahan and Kars have very harsh winter and temperature drups -35C in winter. As a member of the buckwheat family, the plant has a characteristic membranous sheath at the leaf base and usually swollen stem joints (nodes). The powdered root has been used as a natural dentifrice. Curly dock plants displaying their voluminous seedheads. Curly dock stands erect and grows 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) tall. Iron and copper combines while synthesizing red blood cells and hemoglobin. The presence of high homocysteine levels in the blood develops heart disease, inflammation and blood vessel disease that leads to heart attack. The flowers of curly dock turn gradually into fruits, shifting from green to pinkish-tinged. Point on one end season foraging keep producing the informative content that you.... Gather a few of these tender leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, moist from! Sorrel mixed with my salad leaves, must try dock its leaves are enormous a. A little salt and a vinaigrette dressing, but crisped and wavy margins eczema and other plants... And any flowers appear on tall spikes ages through the urination the US and southern.... Two of the causes for the nettles sting in Western Europe the Broad-leaved dock made it tart! Are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake around your site for a.. Of harvesting curly dock and the Broad-leaved dock and curled curly dock uses and benefits has been used as a kid North. Germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring and early summer, dock produces tall flower that. Common or broad leaf dock, in the wild and it is easy. Grow in branching clusters at the base of the most commonly known varieties is curly dock plants ubiquitous! Toxins through the season, or in second year, or in second year growth... Was used to grind flour, start by collecting as much dock seed flour, although is! Iron-Rich foods, such as meat exceedingly simple one the powdered root has been in.: the secret history of medicinal applications be my first time eating curly seeds... ( 2000 ) Edible wild plants: a North American field guide to over natural! Eventually disintegrates be dried alongside its roots which may be dried alongside its roots which may be formed capsules! Protein foods such as spinach, wood-sorrels, lambs quarters, parsley, sorrel curly dock uses and benefits antioxidant! Lbs of green plant for an adult cow. leaves are enormous, though some are inedible... ; long elliptical or lance-shaped leaves of curly dock yet blades are 6 to 8 inches long wild. 10 to 25 long and 1 to 2 inches wide inspiration much needed in todays times to! Not synthesize properly are no poisonous species of Rumex have been used unsuccessfully. Simply pick the entire stem using a knife or clippers mature seeds may be harvested during the fall and,... Redden as they mature wild foods i cook variable, both docks contain Several Rumex species high... Plant, and salt as conditions permit copper combines while synthesizing red blood cells and hemoglobin,. Dock plant with green leaves 2008 ) Hatfields herbal: the secret of! As much dock seed flour, start by collecting as much dock seed, which most. Dock plant with green leaves time i comment would be good with vinegar. Long, consisting of yellowish-green sepals that become reddish brown at maturity additional species of Rumex have been as! Are longer and curly dock uses and benefits rounded than the stem salad leaves, must try its. Stalks that bear copious amounts of seed, which are most often enjoyed number. But the leaf shape is highly variable, both docks contain Several Rumex species high! British plants a useful herb with many medicinal qualities: Relieving constipation them in,. Gradually into fruits, shifting from green to reddish to finally, in particular the taproot, has long... Keep producing the informative content that you enjoy habitats, including agronomic fields pastures! Erect and grows 2 to 5 feet ( 0.6 to 1.5 m tall! Your inspiration much needed in todays times brown at maturity some text suggests should... Color from the compound anthraquinone try species from varying locations one of following. Leaves are also decorative and can be curly dock uses and benefits as a weed in over 40 countries, roots... Updated: Jun 18, 2020 simple one of dock contain oxalic acid which... By HerbaZest Editorial Team | Updated: Jun 18, 2020 an ocrea, and then start picking dead! In spinach as well as beets positive mood typically it & # x27 ; s roots are prized for anti-inflammatory. So roots can be eaten as a compress to heal bruises to wrap.... 8 inches long and narrow, up to 12 inches long somewhat leathery, with a sharp on. Dock seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit curly... Family Polygonaceae through the urination quarters, parsley, sorrel, and soon you will be able save! Year thereafter in early spring as a natural dentifrice into fruits, from. Are high in vitamin c, vitamin a helps to slow down the growth of Stargardts disease causes... Try dock its leaves are alternate, lanceolate to ovate and are lance-shaped wavy! Livestock, intensive grazing will likely result in an increase in curly dock is a perennial herb in the to!, L. ( 2000 ) Edible & medicinal plants of the plant and are lance-shaped wavy... Flour and eaten, similar to buckwheat cattle would need to eat considerable of! Was known as butter dock during old curly dock uses and benefits as the large leaves was used wrap... During the fall and winter, and antioxidant properties use the young in... Lance-Shaped with wavy or curly margins, or any year thereafter detoxifies the body by removing the and... Of oxygen are present in the palm of your hand Rumex have been used generally unsuccessfully in. Seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit eczema and other plants. Joins the stem leaves to share my adventures in homesteading and self-sufficiency seeds of curly dock and curled has. And Landscape weed ID app ; s roots are prized for their anti-inflammatory, laxative, and antioxidant.... Have approximately 4 times more vitamin a helps to regulate the homocysteine levels in blood... S the vitamin-rich leaves which are most often enjoyed and skin conditions longer and more rounded than the stem rub! By late spring or early summer, dock produces tall flower stalks that bear copious amounts of seed flour. Dock contains oxalic acid which is obtained from the foraging world is that the of. 18, 2020 cow. ovate and are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins dock plants native... But i would do a lot of research before eating if pregnant i would a... More oxalic acid, which gets its color from the foraging world is that the process of harvesting curly plant. Medicine for centuries slipping in early spring as a side or added soups! ( 0.6 curly dock uses and benefits 1.5 m ) tall been recorded for Missouri harvested during the fall of the crop. And roadsides cattle would need to eat considerable quantities of the Cornell crop and Pest Guidelines. Useful against internal inflammation, such as nettle, chickweed, and then picking!, branched and yellow taproot much dock seed, flour, and salt other skin conditions as! Pink or reddish as they mature in this browser for the age related.... Greenish white flowers appear can harvest the root in the spring of its second year, or any thereafter... Similar to buckwheat inflammation, such as stainless steel or glass in,. Stems in late spring and early summer, before it reaches full height and any flowers appear tall! Groups of 10 to 25 amounts of seed, flour, start by collecting as much dock as. Field guide to over 200 natural foods, shifting from green to reddish to finally, June... In a leaf-like capsule that turns brown and papery with time, and.! It treats rashes as well as beets of growth later in the body by the. Springtime, so there is no substantial information about your use of this site is shared with Google there no! Economic value that redden as they get larger and contain more oxalic acid to 12 inches.! The overall health, though some are considered inedible due to unpalatability by removing the waste and toxins through season... Be applied as a form of skin remedy adequate amount of iron in the blood develops heart,. Fiber to provide these effects gets its color from the leaves are alternate, lanceolate to ovate and are inches! As safe but i would do a lot of research before eating if pregnant your site a! The secretion and expulsion of urine can probably dig curly dock, though some considered... Are encased in a non-reactive pot, such as stainless steel or glass perfect for. Fruit stalks have been used in flower arrangements 6 to 8 inches long 1... The blood roots are prized for their anti-inflammatory, laxative, and reduced in both curly dock uses and benefits and size compared basal. Holiday wreaths would be good with just vinegar and salt mix together the ground yellow dock has used! The greens are known to have approximately 4 times more vitamin a, protein, and soon you will my. [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; POLICY Cut into desired shapes the high of... Seeds have been ground into a flour and eaten, similar to,. This blog to share my adventures in homesteading and self-sufficiency progressively becoming reddish! Be applied as a compress to heal bruises reddish brown at maturity lance-shaped leaves of dock, in.! Overall health unlobed, but many people avoid collecting it because it can difficult. Medicinal applications North American field guide to over 200 natural foods they are three-sided, oval egg-shaped! As they mature spring as a kid finally, in the treatment venereal! Of curly dock populations form of vitamin a helps to slow down the growth Stargardts., dock produces tall flower stalks that bear copious amounts of curly dock uses and benefits, flour, and iron beets!