836/YELLOW DOCK PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESfruit is a triangular, brown-black nut, which is enclosed by
the wing-like enlarged inner tepal.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is about 100 cm high and
has a carrot-like rhizome. The roots are 20 to 30 cm long,
about 1.25 cm thick, fleshy and are not usually branched.
The roots are rusty brown on the outside, whitish on the
inside and have a relatively thick bark. The stems are
angular, grooved and usually branched from the base up. The
lower leaves are large and have flat petioles. They are
supported at the base or almost cordate, lanceolate acute,
undate-curly at the margins and alternate. The upper leaves
are smaller and narrow-lanceolate.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe and Africa, but
grows wild in many regions of the world.
Production: Yellow Dock root is the fresh root harvested in
spring from Rumex acetosa.
Other Names: Curled Dock
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Oxalates: oxalic acid, calcium oxalate
Tannins (3-6%)
Flavonoids: including among others, quercitrin
Anthracene derivatives (0.9-2.5%): anthranoids, aglycones
physcion, chryosphanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, their
glucosidesNaphthalene derivatives: neopodin 8-glucoside, lapodin
EFFECTS
No documentation is available, but laxative, alterative and
mildly tonic characteristics have been attributed to Rumex
crispus.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Yeliow Dock is used for acute and chronic
inflammation of the nasal passages and respiratory tract. It is
also used as an adjuvant in antibacterial therapy. The plant
has traditionally been used like the Red Dock (R. aquatica)
for its similar properties, in decoctions for scurvy and other
skin_eruptions, and as a 'blood cleanser.' It is also used as an
astringent for hemorrhoids and pulmonary bleeding. It has
been used as a remedy for jaundice and a tonic for the
stomach.Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include inflamma-
tion of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract,
asthmatic conditions, tracheal cough and morning diarrhea.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. However, mucus membrane irritation, accompanied
by vomiting is possible following intake of the fresh
rhizome, due to its anthrone content. The anthrones are
oxidized to anthraquinones after dehydration and storage.
OVERDOSAGE ^
Oxalate poisonings are conceivable primarily with the
consumption of numerous leaves eaten as salad. One case of
death following consumption of a soup made from the leaves
of the curled Yellow Dock has been described (see Frohne).
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Preparations are available in ground
form or as an extract.
How Supplied:
Capsules — 500 mg, 505 mgLiquid I.T
LITERATURE
Fairbairn JW, El Muhtadi FJ, (1972) Phytochemistry 11:263.
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-
Ges. Stuttgart 1997.
Grznar K, Rada K, Farmaceut Obzor 47:195. 1978
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Midiwo JO, Runkunga GM, (1985) Phytochemistry 24(6): 1390.
Morton JF, An Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America,
Charles C Thomas Pub. USA 1981.
Sharma M et al., Indian J Chem Sect B 15B:544. 1977.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - ^iologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Koukol J, Dugger WM Jr, Anthocyanin formation as a response
to ozone and smog treatment in Rumex crispus, L. Plant
Physiol, 42:1023-4, Jul 1967.Yellow Gentian
Gentiana lutea
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the
dried or fresh underground plant organs.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are yellow, terminal, pedicled
and axillary in cyme-like false whorls. The calyx is deeply
divided in 2. The corolla is rotate and divided almost to the
base into 5 or 6 lanceolate tips. There are 5 stamens with 8
mm long anthers and 1 superior ovary. The fruit is 6 cm long