Yellowdock Root, Rumex crispus

Description

Yellow dock is in the knotweed family that is referred to as a wayside herb, meaning it sprouts in undisturbed and unlikely places where many other plants won’t.

Although the leaf of the plant contains numerous vitamins and minerals, it also contains a high degree of oxalic acid, which lends a very bitter taste and poses a potential risk for toxicity, even when cooked. The yellow taproot, however, is harvested to make tinctures for internal use and infusions for topical use.