Just when I think I have finally harvested all that will be needed for the year ahead, I realize there is another root that must be harvested. I poured the last of my yellow dock into a tincture bottle for a client this week. Now I know why I had such an abundance of first year plants right by the back deck.
The roots were very easy to dig, practically jumping right out of the ground as soon as I inserted the shovel. I sang and talked to them a bit and then hosed them off and took them inside for a little more cleaning and chopping. Right now the roots are macerating in vodka. They'll stay there until December's Full Moon, when theoretically I'll strain and bottle the resulting tincture. However, December is a busy month and many of my tinctures have been known to spend a little extra time with the herb or root still in the menstruum.
I'll use this tincture for many things. Yellow Dock is a great alterative that's high in mineral content. It cleanses the blood, acts a mild laxative, improves skin conditions, and builds the immune system. It's a favorite for iron deficiency in pregnancy. That's a lot of medicine from a humble plant with beautifully golden root.
If you'd like to read more about Yellow Dock, check out Waverly Fitzgerald's blog. My friend Acey has a good tutorial on tincture creation on the Sparkling Lotus-land blog today as well.
Comments