medicinal herbs
Golden Dock
Rumex maritimus

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Golden Dock

Latin name: Rumex maritimus

Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

Medicinal use of Golden Dock:

The leaves are applied externally to burns. The seeds are aphrodisiac. They contain about 5% tannin. The plant is cooling. an infusion is used to treat bloat.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Bare muddy ground by lakes, reservoir margins, dried up ponds and occasionally in damp grassy places, often by the coast.

Edible parts of Golden Dock:

Leaves - cooked. Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a powder then mixed with water and cooked like porridge.

Other uses of the herb:

Although no specific mention has been made for this species, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of many species in this genus, They do not need a mordant.

Propagation of Golden Dock:

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Cultivation of the herb:

Bare muddy ground by lakes, reservoir margins, dried up ponds and occasionally in damp grassy places, often by the coast.

Known hazards of Rumex maritimus:

Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.