YELLOW DOCK Overview Information
Yellow dock is an herb. The leaf stalks are used in salads. The root is used as medicine.
Yellow dock is used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of nasal passages and the respiratory tract, and as a laxative and tonic. It is also used to treat bacterial infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Some people use yellow dock as a toothpaste.
Historically, yellow dock has been used for skin diseases, skin inflammation (dermatitis), rashes, a vitamin deficiency called scurvy, obstructive jaundice, and psoriasis with constipation.
How does it work?
Yellow dock contains chemicals called anthraquinones, which work as stimulant laxatives.
YELLOW DOCK Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Constipation.
- Inflammation of nasal passages and the respiratory tract.
- Bacterial infections.
- Jaundice.
- Scurvy.
- Other conditions.
YELLOW DOCK Side Effects & Safety
Yellow dock seems to be safe for most adults. Taking too much yellow dock can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, excessive urination, skin irritation, and low blood levels of potassium and calcium.
Don't use raw or uncooked yellow dock. It can cause serious side effects including vomiting, heart problems, breathing difficulty, and even death. Also, handling raw yellow dock can cause skin irritation in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t take yellow dock if you are pregnant. It has laxative effects that might be UNSAFE. It’s also best to avoid yellow dock if you are breast-feeding. The chemicals that cause the laxative effects can be transferred to a nursing infant through breast milk.Allergies: People who are allergic to ragweed may also be allergic to yellow dock.
Blood clotting problems: Yellow dock may speed up clotting. If you have a clotting disorder, get your healthcare provider’s advice before starting yellow dock.
Gastrointestinal (GI) blockage: Don’t use yellow dock if you have any kind of blockage in your digestive tract.
Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Don’t use yellow dock if you have ulcers. Yellow dock can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestine, making ulcer symptoms worse.
Kidney disease: Yellow dock contains a chemical that can bind with calcium and form crystals that can damage the kidneys. If you have kidney stones or have ever had kidney stones, get your healthcare provider’s advice before starting yellow dock.
YELLOW DOCK Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with YELLOW DOCK
Yellow dock is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with YELLOW DOCK
Yellow dock is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking yellow dock along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with YELLOW DOCK
Yellow dock can work as a laxative. In some people yellow dock can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not to take excessive amounts of yellow dock.
YELLOW DOCK Dosing
The appropriate dose of yellow dock depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for yellow dock. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
