Yellow dock, also known as curly dock, sour dock and garden patience, is a short-lived perennial herb that is native to Europe and Africa. At one time, the curly leaves of the plant were eaten as a vegetable for tonic purposes because it is high in iron. That is no longer common practice, however, since we now know that the plant also contains oxalates.
The plant is harvested for its root in late summer, after its seeds have turned from green to deep red. As the common name implies, the root of the herb is yellow.
Yellow dock root contains several active compounds responsible for its reputation as a detoxifier and purgative, most notably anthraquinones such as emodin.
