Traditionally, yellow dock root has been thought to be a blood purifier and general detoxifier, especially for the liver. The herb, properly known as Rumex crispus, supports detoxification from a few angles. First off, yellow dock root stimulates bile production, which helps digestion, particularly of fats. Yellow dock root can stimulate a bowel movement to help remove lingering waste from your intestinal tract; it also increases the frequency of urination to assist in toxin elimination. Maintaining an efficient rate of waste elimination can help prevent toxins from accumulating in the liver, gallbladder, and bloodstream and circumvent the associated concerns.
Most phytonutrients are high in antioxidants and yellow dock root is no exception. Antioxidants are beneficial in that they slow down oxidative damage. Oxidative damage is a process that happens at the cellular level and can be summed up as good cells in your body being attacked by bad cells (free radicals). The outcome of this attack can lead to cellular damage and aging. Antioxidants are nutrient power-ups to fight against damaging free radicals.
Evaluations of the antioxidant potential of yellow dock root have confirmed it to reduce oxidative stress.[1] A study by the Department of Chemistry at Jamia Hamdard in India showed yellow dock root to possess potent antioxidant activity; working to scavenge for free radicals and thwart oxidative damage, including in liver tissue.[2]
Yellow dock root isn’t just a warship in your battalion of antioxidants, some studies have also shown it to be toxic to harmful organisms.[3] Research at the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at Jadavpur University showed yellow dock root extract to exhibit significant defense against harmful organisms.[4] A similar action has been observed in additional research.[5]
When using rats, research by the Department of Pharmacology at Atatürk University in Turkey showed yellow dock root to inhibit redness activity and also showed it to be nontoxic.[6] In a separate study, researchers also found that yellow dock root relieved discomfort and fever in mice and rabbits; that’s interesting.[7]
So does the formal research support the traditional use and oral history surrounding yellow dock? Researchers at the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology in Ethiopia, a country where it’s extremely common to use herbs and botanicals for medical application, certainly believe so. They conducted a study to estimate the fidelity level, or “healing potentials” of therapeutic plants. Yellow dock root scored among the highest.[8] For this reason and its detoxifying and antioxidant properties, I’ve added yellow dock root as one of the main ingredients for Liver Health, my liver and gallbladder detoxifying formula.
Have you tried adding yellow dock root or any other detoxifying herb to your diet? Please tell us about your experience.
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