Yellow dock and blackberry roots

You can make herbal remedies from weed roots!

I helped my mom clear an area of yellow dock (Rumex crispus). It’s a common weed that gardeners will recognize. It also happens to have a root that can help soften stool when someone is constipated. Before and after harvest is pictured below.

Yellow dock roots on the left below, then I also pulled out blackberry roots (Rubus fruticosa), shown on the right. (Blackberry roots actually have the opposite effect — they help with loose stool and diarrhea.) 😊

Notice the yellow color on the dock roots after the first rough clean with the hose. Honey Bee is a great helper!

Yellow dock – alterative, laxative, hepatic, cholagogue, tonic, aperient (stool softener)

Promotes the flow of bile and gall bladder.

It’s also often used for chronic skin issues, such as psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, prurigo, and itching hemorrhoids. It can help with jaundice caused by congestion. It seems to free iron stored in the liver, especially when combined with other high-iron herbs. (One might also add something high in vitamin C, such as rosehips, to increase absorption.)

Blackberry root – astringent, diuretic, tonic and vulnerary. (The leaves can be used for a similar, but gentler affect. Sometimes this is used as a children’s medicine.)

It can be helpful in cases of diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and cystitis. It can also help soothe a sore throat. Consider creating a syrup that also contains blackberry fruit with honey.

Blackberry roots are beautiful. I love working with them.

To make tincture, I clean the roots really well with a scrubber brush and water. Then I chopped them up into small pieces.

The recommended ratio for fresh herbs is 1 part herbs to 2 parts 95% organic alcohol. However, with tough things like roots, I usually cut them as small as possible, put them in a jar, and pour the alcohol over them until they are covered. This is sometimes referred to as the folkloric method. I’ve been happy with my results.