> Supplement Index > Bitter Dock / Rumex obtusifolius / Blunt-leaved Dock / Broad-leaved Dock / Common Dock / Red-veined Dock / Round-leaved Dock > Bitter Dock General Information Bitter Dock Uses & Scientific Evidence For Bitter Dock Dosage Information Bitter Dock Safety & Interaction Information - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Bitter Dock General Information Bitter Dock is best known as a tenacious garden weed that can grow 2-5 feet tall. It has large basal leaves with heart-shaped bases and a tall stalk with tiny greenish flowers in dense clusters at the top of the stalk. There are more than 20 species of dock in the world but the main ones used medicinally are Bitter Dock, yellow dock, and patience dock and even though they vary in size, flower, fruit, and leaf, their medicinal and culinary uses are the same. In the 17th century, Bitter Dock root was used in a tea to alleviate toothache and was used to cure an itch when used as a wash. It was also used to clear up skin blemishes. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Bitter Dock Uses & Scientific Evidence For Scientific studies have shown Bitter Dock tea to be effective as a laxative. Bitter Dock is also used though in treating conditions of the blood and glandular system and is indicated in scrofula, eruptive diseases, especially when discharges are experienced, as in running of the ears, ulcerated eyelids and skin conditions, itch, scurvy, and brittle nails. As a folk remedy, the root and fruit has been used as an astringent to help stop bleeding of the lungs, heavy menstrual flow, hemorrhoids, bleeding diarrhea, and also for tubercular lungs. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Bitter Dock Dosage Information Bitter Dock comes in various forms and is an ingredient in other products. For best results, read and follow product label directions. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Bitter Dock Safety & Interaction Information Bitter Dock is generally regarded as safe when taken in the recommended doses. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known. If you are taking any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) it is best to seek the advice of your physician before using Bitter Dock for the treatment of your condition. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - -