Herb: Bladder Dock


Latin name: Rumex vesicarius


Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)



Medicinal use of Bladder Dock:

The leaves are aperient, astringent, diuretic and cooling. The seed is cooling. It is roasted and used in the treatment of dysentery. The juice of the plant is cooling. It is useful in treating heat of the stomach, to allay the pain of toothache and, by its astringent properties, to check nausea.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Flowering:
May

Habitat of the herb:

Not known

Edible parts of Bladder Dock:

Leaves - raw or cooked. An acid flavour, they are used like sorrel as a flavouring in salads or as a spinach.

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 Bladder Dock:

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Not known

Known hazards of Rumex vesicarius:

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.