Since 500 BC, an Edible and Medicinal "weed": Curly Dock!

Recorded in Greek and Roman writings this eurasian weed was used for food and medicine. Known as Curly Dock, or Sour Dock, or Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus, non-native to the USA is now found in all 50 states. It can be recognized by its distinctly curly edged leaves and its numerous 3 sided seeds. While considered invasive especially in plowed fields and gardens it does not spread into natural areas where other plants are established. In Virginia it is most commonly found in waste places, roadsides and edges of trails. It is however a prolific seed producer like many invasive plants. A single plant can produced upwards of 50,000 seeds. These seeds, in turn, can stay viable in soil for over 50 years. The leaves may have a sour taste to them because of oxalic acid. Oxalates can be found in cultivated vegetables such as rhubarb, beets and other leafy greens. Oxalates can be toxic if consumed in large quantities as they can interfere with calcium and iron uptake. While Curly dock is considered an edible for humans, it can be easily over grazed by cattle or sheep and cause harmful reactions though it is rarely fatal. Farmers seek to remove it from pastures. The leaves are rich in vitamin A and C. The leaves and stems can be used in salads and stews. The chaff can be removed from seeds and used as a flour substitute or addative. Medicinally, a decoction can be made from the yellow root to treat many differen ailments and was used as a diuretic or laxative. The root contains pharmecutically active anthraquinones. This weed is commonly overlooked, pulled from the soil or mowed down with a string trimmer but it seems worthy of our regard. Many so-called weeds, have fascinating ethnobotanical histories. If you like learning about plants and animals right outside your door my channel covers all things nature. If you want to learn more about nature and natural history, this is the channel to subscribe to!

[@misspomerol]

This is one of the most beautiful and delicious wild plants out there. You can collect it in abundance and the variety that grows here in Italy where I live it’s so mild it’s like I don’t even buy leafy greens at the grocery store anymore because between this and perpetual spinach I can literally just forage all of my greens.

[@natureatyourdoor]

That is awesome. I am actually in Ticino switz ..right on the Italy border...on Lugano lake! Where are you? Check out my switz play list!

[@misspomerol]

I live in the Chieti province of Abruzzo on the Adriatic 🥰

[@gerardjohnson2106]

I have eaten dock. My grandmother parboiled it like she did poke. She said it was good for your "system". I couldn't tell any difference. It didn't taste too bad with a splash of vinegar over it. I suppose if you harvested it from along one of those trails the taste might depend on intensity and length of time for glyphosate treatment. Might have a Monsanto backnote flavor.😳🥺 As always, thanks for sharing your research and knowledge.👍👍

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome...lol..my sister in law worked for Monsanto!

[@angelaroney6390]

Wow?! I had pain in my knee while working in my hilly yard. I looked down and saw this and wrapped it around my knee. After a bit I had no pain and just left it on for the rest of my chores. Ive been trying to figure out what it was! Thanks!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Wonderful!

[@IamwhoIam333]

I am so greatful that you are willing to share your knowledge with the world. I have learned so much.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Your comment makes it all worthwhile.

[@PhotoV53]

Learned many new things about this plant from you and enjoyed the story and how you presented it. I am now a subscriber and glad to find out more of your knowledge through your videos. Thank you very much for your time and doing these videos. From the heartland!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hello to my new friend and subscriber in the heartland! I hope you will check out my Wildflower Playlist! Let me know what you think!

[@MiskimVeniceJohnson]

Thank you for sharing

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thanks for watching! 😀

[@judyfinnegan6225]

Hello Frank, i am amazed at all the plants GOD has given us to help us! Learned something new again! Nice video! Take care be safe! Thanks soo much! GOD bless ya! 🙂

[@natureatyourdoor]

And so many more I want to share about.

[@WildWoodlandMinstrel]

I appreciate this video. I learned some new things about this plant who is springing up a lot in my garden areas.

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome!

[@berniemarkley]

Grew up around dock, Sour and Burdock, all my life, 66 yrs. I had no idea of its nutritional and medicinal qualities until the last year or so. Amazing!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

I love discovering the history and context of "weeds"!

[@merrybrown7761]

Thanks for your info!!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome.

[@gayewilliams2521]

Thank you for your plant info, love ❤️

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome!

[@brianquilty687]

Thanks Mr. Taylor, very interesting.

[@natureatyourdoor]

👍😀

[@Jeni-ow1kl]

WONDERFUL & SO INFORMATIVE!!! THANKS!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! Thanks for your encouragement!

[@darrelllancaster9554]

I did learn something. And enjoyed your video. 🌿

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@troonlegend8317]

Love watching your videos keep it up! Definitely my fav KZbin. Humble and knowledgeable

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you for your support!

[@benmoffitt7524]

I have encountered this plant many times but never realized what it was called, that it was at all useful, or that it could be harmful to my livestock. Thanks as always!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome Ben.

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Another great video.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you, Curtis.

[@GrandmomZoo]

Great video! Thank you!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad you liked it!

[@marquitagovan7613]

Thank you so much for this video. I passed by this plant growing in an area where there is construction at work. Before them there were Dandelions. Things just keep popping up and I use Google lens to identify them. This video was very informative and I love learning that most of these "weeds" are edible!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! No weeds exist in my book! Just interesting plants with interesting histories!

[@ThuyVu-bn4zp]

Great video 😊

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Thuy!

[@rattlesnakehaven]

Fascinating! I haven't noticed it here, but now I'll look for it.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Let me know if you find it. I am climbing in Switzerland at the moment....and saw it here at lower elevation.

[@rattlesnakehaven]

@@natureatyourdoor Safe travels!

[@shannahonea714]

Excellent informative video😃👍🌱

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Shanna! I appreciate your encouragement!

[@shannahonea714]

@@natureatyourdoor you're welcome I appreciate the knowledge it's always wonderful to learn new things

[@natureatyourdoor]

@shannahonea714 it's all about life long learning! Btw..did you see my latest in my Switzerland playlist?

[@MariaBeatrix972]

thank you my dear friend for sharing,, great upload,, very information,, i really enjoy lookng our channel

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ah Maria....you are to kind...thanks for letting me know! It energizes my effort and enthusiasm I try to bring to every video!

[@edrissmith9991]

Well im also getting the root for family members that have iron issues and ive found out that you can make flour from the seed that will be what ill make from seeds of curly dock ive been on this road of learning for almost one year im 57 so it shows your never too old to learn

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes...and I as well and a life long learner and teacher!

[@edrissmith9991]

@@natureatyourdoor well let me say a BIG THANK U for sharing your knowledge i also have MS so this is very important to me ive been living with this for 29years now im done being held hostage by it im TAKING CONTROL 😁

[@natureatyourdoor]

@edrissmith9991 wishing you courage and strength! Also ...I am sure you understand I am always available to answer questions!

[@edrissmith9991]

@@natureatyourdoor thank u i found prunella vulgaris growing right on my 2 acres so this plant has really helped me what if anything do u know about it ? Ive been collecting it for a month now and dtink it in tea form i love it

[@natureatyourdoor]

@edrissmith9991 yes...I need to do an episode on this one for sure. Central plant in ancient Chinese medicine! You can't go wrong with that!

[@troonlegend8317]

Hey Mr Taylor! Love your videos I live in the blue ridge parkway area and would love to go on some nature hikes with you.

[@natureatyourdoor]

😎! Email me [e-mail]. I am climbing in Switzerland at moment...be back end of September.

[@mamasmurf7830]

I love to think about the jobs that plants have. Dock shows up on disturbed soil to regenerate it…. It has a very long tap root, which means that it pulls minerals from deep in the Earth, into its leaves, and deposits those minerals onto the top soil when it dies. So, basically, it’s creating nutrient rich top soil…. It shows up in areas that have terrible soil, and it fixes it. ☺️

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! What a great way of thinking about it! Thanks for sharing!

[@TedNLouTherapy-cs8ly]

This is a diuretic very powerful same family as Burdock root, the burdock root has the highest alkalinity in the plant world, do not take for for than 21 days you must break for a week it’s potent. I drymibd and group down or break and steep in distilled boiled water. Grows in abundant here in uk. Thank you I enjoyed your video from across the pond. God bless 🙏😍

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you for your informative share! Love my UK 🇬🇧 viewers! Appreciate your contribution to our learning/sharing together channel! I hope you will check out my other wildflower vids and contribute to our learning there too!

[@purplefarmdog4047]

How does it taste,sweet sour,earthy,bitter?. Thanks for the info. Great video

[@natureatyourdoor]

I d called it earthy.

[@roguereemerged]

One of the better videos on Curly Dock, thank you! Would love to have had more directions about how to use it.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rodneyb.8795]

Wonder if you are aware of Blanton Forrest in Southeastern Kentucky. It is one of the larger virgin forrests that still exist in this part of the country. It is relatively close to you and would make for some interesting episodes.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Sounds amazing...I will have to check that out. I will enjoy adding new places to my channel shares. Thanks for the tip!

[@baneverything5580]

So THAT`S what`s driving me crazy everywhere in my yard! I`ve been chopping and digging and fighting a losing battle against this stubborn plant and its deep tap root!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ha! Oh, sorry. Yep, that's it!

[@baneverything5580]

@@natureatyourdoor There are thousands here in Louisiana.

[@joshmumpower4077]

Wow thats so cool amazing how life has spread across the whole planet even more amazing is how they will evolve to there environment hawaiia is a special eco system but yet in a sort time from a evolutionary stand point they have adapted so quick reminds me of jurrasick Park life will find a way

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ha yes!

[@anyascelticcreations]

I knew what the plant was immediately. I was very proud of myself. 😂 And I knew about the seeds being used to make flour. But I didn't know that the leaves are edible! Cool! I have passed this plant up many times because I didn't feel up for making flour. I sure would love those slimy leaves in a soup, though! 😋 👍 👌

[@natureatyourdoor]

I hope you will enjoy your soup...likely a good thickener!

[@anyascelticcreations]

@@natureatyourdoor Thanks! If I ever get out there wildcrafting again, and cooking again, I think this one would be a good addition. 😋

[@spacecatboy2962]

i knew a guy that dug the root and dried and sold it

[@anyascelticcreations]

Cool! What did he sell it to be used for?

[@spacecatboy2962]

@@anyascelticcreations i dont know, but they said he had drying racks in his barn where he laid it out

[@anyascelticcreations]

@@spacecatboy2962 cool 👍😊

[@michelleasunnydays140]

awesome! i am using burdock leaf wrapped on my foot to draw out pain.lets see if it works!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Sounds great! Let me know how it worked!

[@ginafriend1690]

I sure hope those farmers are keeping an eye out, who have cattle and sheep!

[@natureatyourdoor]

I know, right.

[@carolyndeck9937]

What is your method for separating the chaff from the seeds? I have three pint jars of seeds that I collected last fall and am having some difficulty with the chaff.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Labor, labor. Yes ...not easy...and no I don't know of any special tricks!

[@mrsoap4074]

so should I just let it run wild or? Should I remove the seeds before they spread and make a ton? Just bought a house with these and have let them grow to my height since we dont have anything nice to look at so its better than nothing but unsure if its bad to let them keep growing or anything?

[@natureatyourdoor]

All your choice!

[@zina6581]

🥰

[@natureatyourdoor]

Great story isn't it!

[@zina6581]

@@natureatyourdoor Yes, Thank you so much!

[@sandynichols6547]

Found something you have not covered in my backyard (im in virginia). How do i get a picture to you so that you may tell me what it is?

[@sandynichols6547]

Frank My daughter did a picture search. Its a "giant imperial moth". It was a good 4 inches long really big. I researched it and i have two huge oak trees in my backyard.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Send to natureatyourdooryt.gmail.com! 😃😃

[@edrissmith9991]

Ive started my curly dock havest for seeds

[@natureatyourdoor]

Cool!!! Let me know how that goes and what you plan for the seeds!

[@rachelcorinnaford9190]

Can you just eat it straight like that right after you pull it from the ground amd rinse it off ?

[@natureatyourdoor]

I think tender young leaves would be good in a salad!

[@victorbunch7725]

Well my good buddy it don't do much for da hair does it? lol

[@natureatyourdoor]

🤔 Ha! 🤪

[@stupidnshinny]

As a kid I used to wait till it turned brown and pretend it was coffee grou ds 😂

[@natureatyourdoor]

😊😊😊