The Library Brands All Products for Encyclopedia Health Concerns Vitamins, Minerals, etc. The root of yellow dock is used as medicine. The plant is found in many places throughout North America.
Alterative herbs have nonspecific effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the liver.
As a result, they are thought to treat skin conditions that are attributed to toxic metabolites from maldigestion and poor liver function. In larger doses, these are drastic, cathartic laxatives. However, yellow dock is only a very mild laxative. It is also thought to stimulate bile production. It is often used as a digestive bitter for persons with poor digestion.