Polygonaceae Alterative Curled dock

Polygonaceae Alterative Curled dock
Family:Polygonaceae Alterative; Antiscorbutic; Astringent; Cancer; Cholagogue; Depurative; Homeopathy; Laxative; Poultice; Salve; Tonic.
Common name:Curled dock
Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. 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. The plant has valuable cleansing properties and is useful for treating a wide range of skin problems. All parts of the plant can be used though the root is most active medicinally.The root is alterative antiscorbutic astringent cholagogue depurative laxative and mildly tonic. It used to be sold as a tonic and laxative. It can cause or relieve diarrhoea according to the dose harvest time and relative concentrations of tannin(astringent) and anthraquinones (laxative) that are present. It is used internally in the treatment of constipation diarrhoea piles bleeding of the lungs various blood complaints and also chronic skin diseases. Externally the root can be mashed and used as a poultice and salve or dried and used as a dusting powder on sores ulcers wounds and various other skin problems.The root has been used with positive effect to restrain the inroads made by cancer being used as an alterative and tonic. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use. Some caution is advised in its use since excess doses can cause gastric disturbance nausea and dermatitis.The seed is used in the treatment of diarrhoea.A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root harvested in the autumn before frost has touched the plant. It is only used in the treatment of a specific type of cough.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 05:12 []