Curley Dock

rumex crispus is short lived wildflower growing in fields and the side of the road. the plant has been used since 500 B.C. and has many medicinal properties, most of which are based in the plant's roots. A poultice of the roots has been used to treat iron-deficiency anemia. it's also a blood purifier and liver decongestant. it remedies constipation while strengthening the colon, was employed to treat syphilis, and the powered roots were used as a tooth powder.
curly dock acts as an astringent to treat wounds and bleeding. application of a dock compress helps with skin irritations and rubbing the leaves on your skin can relieve the itchy symptoms of a stinging nettle rash. the seeds were once roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

the primary human use of this plant is for food. the leaves, stalk, and even seeds are edible. the leaves have a slightly sour flavor and are collected in the early spring. leaves are served as a raw vegetable in salads, a cooked vegetable or added to soups. be sure to wash the very young leaves before eating them because they contain chrysophanic acid that can irritate and numb your tongue. the leaves become bitter by mid-spring which is when the flower stalk is collected. peel off the tough outer layer and then eat the stalk raw or boil it for a few minutes to soften. the seeds are collected when they are dry to the touch and then ground to create flour, which has a flavor similar to buckwheat.

from voyageur country