Overview

Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a common weed found in Serbia, Korea, and China. The leaf stalks are used in salads. The root and fruits are used as medicine.

Yellow dock contains chemicals that work as laxatives and have anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains chemicals that might kill parasites, bacteria, and fungi.

People use yellow dock for pain, swelling of the nasal passages and the respiratory tract, constipation, hemorrhoids, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse yellow dock with sorrel or wood sorrel. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Yellow Dock overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Yellow dock is possibly safe when prepared properly and consumed in amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if properly prepared yellow dock is safe when used in amounts greater than those found in foods. But raw or uncooked yellow dock is possibly unsafe. It can cause serious side effects including vomiting, heart problems, breathing difficulty, and even death.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Yellow dock is possibly safe when prepared properly and consumed in amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if properly prepared yellow dock is safe when used in amounts greater than those found in foods. But raw or uncooked yellow dock is possibly unsafe. It can cause serious side effects including vomiting, heart problems, breathing difficulty, and even death.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking yellow dock by mouth is possibly unsafe while pregnant or breast-feeding. It has laxative effects, which are not wanted during pregnancy. Also, the chemicals that cause the laxative effects can be transferred to a nursing infant through breast milk.

Blood clotting problems: Yellow dock may speed up or slow down clotting. If you have a clotting disorder or take a blood thinning medicine, talk to a healthcare provider before taking yellow dock.

Allergies: People who are allergic to ragweed may also be allergic to yellow dock.

Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: Don't use yellow dock if you have a GI condition. Yellow dock can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestine, making some GI conditions worse.

Kidney stones: Yellow dock contains a chemical that can bind with calcium and form crystals that can damage the kidneys. If you have kidney stones or have ever had kidney stones, talk to your healthcare provider before taking yellow dock.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Yellow Dock

    Yellow dock is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects from digoxin.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with Yellow Dock

    Yellow dock can work as a laxative and cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Yellow Dock

    Yellow dock is a laxative. Some laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking yellow dock along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.

Dosing

Yellow dock has traditionally been used by adults in teas, alcohol extracts, and tinctures. But there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of yellow dock might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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