How to Make YELLOW DOCK TEA for ANEMIA (DIY herbal remedy)

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How to Make Yellow Dock Tea for Anemia introduces the herb yellow dock, shares its herbal properties and how to make tea from it.

Yellow dock goes by many names, including Rumux crispus, Curly Dock and Garden Patience. Yellow Dock Tea is a decoction of the bitter but (sometimes) delicious root that can be a rich source of iron and highly bioavailable. This “iron wine” is a natural, herbal remedy for anemia.

Actually: The root contains approximately 30mg of iron per 100g. While this is a decent amount for an herb, it is generally used in combination with other iron-rich foods (like molasses or nettles that we’ll discuss!) to treat anemia effectively.

Herbalists prize yellow dock because: The iron it does contain is often “biochelated” or in a form that is readily absorbed by the body.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with anemia. My doctor put me on three cups of yellow dock root tea a day. This article shares how to make the recipe and when to use this effective root.

What are the health benefits of yellow dock root tea

In addition to being a potent source of iron, yellow dock may have the following health benefits:

• aids low stomach acid
• helps the liver to regenerate and cleanse
• provides detox support
• improves digestion
• benefits immune system
• balances hormones (helps to eliminate excess estrogen)
• provides energy during menses
• supports healthy blood sugar levels
• is a prebiotic food, beneficial for colon health
• relieves constipation and diarrhea
• adds soil minerals to the diet
• used topically, helps with acne and psoriasis
• is excellent for arthritis and issues of inflammation

Yellow dock is a digestive stimulant that affects bile production. This increases the overall efficiency of the digestive system, allowing for better absorption of iron and other nutrients from the diet. It also helps release iron that is stored in the liver, potentially making it available for use.

The toxicity of bile and how to add activated charcoal

Because bile can be toxic with other compounds from the liver, I like to take it with hardwood activated charcoal. Thus, we get bile’s benefits, but we’re protected from its caustic components.

(Activated charcoal acts as a potent binding substance in the digestive tract, trapping toxins, bacteria and excess substances. It’s been shown to bind to bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption. This can be particularly useful if the stimulation of bile by the bitter herb causes digestive upset or if there is a high turnover of toxic components in the bile [which is common]. By binding to these substances, activated charcoal can prevent them from irritating the gut lining or being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, making it a “protective” agent.)

Find the best hardwood activated charcoal here. Starting dose is to stir half a teaspoon into a little water.

Increases uptake

Because yellow dock increases the uptake of other iron-rich foods, a powerful anemia remedy includes other iron-rich ingredients: burdock root, dandelion root, nettles and molasses. A dark brew made from these five ingredients is an effective approach to getting one’s iron levels up quickly.

In general, humans absorb less than 1% of the iron they consume. Adding yellow dock root to meals, or drinking this tea, can improve one’s iron levels more effectively than other methods.

Why not take iron pills

Iron pills often cause constipation or other side effects.

Additionally, it’s hard to know which kind of iron to take. Every doctor says something different, but taking a whole food source simplifies the decision with time-tested effectiveness.

What yellow dock tea tastes like

Yellow Dock Tea is strong — like what black coffee must taste like to a young child — bitter, dark and dry. The first time I tasted it, I was surprised, and thought: I have got to figure out how to make this taste good. (Otherwise, three cups a day is a lot!)

Getting the right ratio of root to water took some figuring. Sweetened, yellow dock becomes palatable. Because I’ve come to love this strong tea, I’m eager to share with you not only this whole food remedy, but also the recipe — how to make yellow dock tea delicious and enjoyable!

I share below (see the Recipe itself) how to make the herbal decoction — a remedy tea from a woodsy root — and then, what to do to make it delicious and more iron-rich.

Can yellow dock root be mixed with other herbs

Yes! Yellow dock is synergistic with several other herbs, including burdock root.

I add ground burdock root to yellow dock to make the simple brew more delicious and beneficial nutritionally.

An adaptogenic herb, burdock has been recognized for centuries for its unique cleansing and restorative qualities. Burdock helps with the breakdown of toxins and the elimination of waste. These properties align it well with yellow dock, which cleanses the liver. Burdock, too, is bitter, and it, too, stimulates the liver and gall bladder to produce and release digestive juices.

Burdock is also used to heal skin conditions, kidney disease and may be beneficial in cancer treatment and prevention.

For our purposes with this tea, burdock root is high in vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron.

Find bulk, organic burdock root here. I use powdered burdock root in my kitchen and in this recipe. You can grind your burdock root in your coffee grinder, or find powdered burdock root here.

Two other herbs also work well with yellow dock:

• Dandelion root is high in iron and stimulates bile production. Dandelion gently improves liver and gall bladder health, then sometimes benefiting skin and hormone health. (Many other benefits are also attributed to dandelion, including its ability to reduce inflammation and its anticancer effects.) Find organic bulk dandelion root here.
• Nettle leaf is high in highly digestible iron, easy to assimilate. Nettle leaf is rich in minerals, may help to relieve stress and improve digestion. Nettle leaf is considered a superstar in treating anemia and the fatigue caused by iron deficiency. I include nettles in a variation you will find in the Recipe Notes below. Find organic bulk nettle leaf here. (For those reducing vitamin A in their diet for broader healing, omit this ingredient.)

Can you cook with yellow dock

Powdered yellow dock can also be mixed into curry powders. Curry with yellow dock added once a week is recommended by herbalist Ryan Drum to gradually improve one’s iron levels. He saw improvements in many of his clients with this simple dietary change.

Grind dried yellow dock root to a fine powder in your coffee grinder. (I have not found a good organic powdered product.)

Vanilla extract — optional

I sometimes make Yellow Dock Tea with vanilla extract, for two reasons: One, the vanilla flavor makes the dark beverage more palatable. Two, the small amount of alcohol in vanilla extract helps to pull the healing properties from yellow dock root.

Print Recipe

5 from 15 votes

Yellow Dock Tea for Anemia

Yellow dock is synergistic with several other herbs, including burdock root. I like to add ground burdock, when I have it on hand, for a more delicious brew. The vanilla extract is added to the decoction because the alcohol in it helps pull the healing properties from the yellow dock root. The vanilla flavor makes the drink more palatable.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: 3 x daily, Beverage, Breakfast

Cuisine: American, European

Keyword: anemia, iron, remedy, tea, yellow dock, yellow dock root

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 15kcal

Author: Megan

Cost: .75

Equipment

• saucepan
• strainer

Ingredients

• 6 cups water divided
• 3 Tablespoons yellow dock root
• 2 Tablespoons burdock root , ground to a powder (optional)
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• raw honey , coconut sugar, maple syrup or sweetener of choice

Instructions

• Boil 4 cups water, yellow dock and vanilla for 15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, stir in burdock and cover.
• Allow the brew to steep for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Add remaining 2 cups water and reheat to serve.
• Pour through a strainer. Sweeten to taste with coconut sugar, honey or sweetener of choice.

Notes

Variation with dandelion, nettles and molasses:

1. Use 8 cups water total.
2. Boil 6 cups water. Add 3 Tablespoons dandelion root with the yellow dock root and vanilla (follow recipe above).
3. Stir in 3 Tablespoons nettles with the burdock.
4. Add 1 Tablespoon molasses with your sweetener of choice.

Other variations/herbs that taste good with yellow dock

I also learned to add hibiscus.

High in Vitamin C, hibiscus adds a lovely, rich, fruity note and helps the iron to assimilate.

To the recipe above, add 2 tablespoons of loose hibiscus petals during the last 10 minutes of steeping. If you wish, sweeten with raw honey. The addition of hibiscus makes a delicious cup of nutrient-dense tea.

Nutrition

Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 9mg

Find yellow dock root here and hibiscus here.

Can you drink too much yellow dock tea

Yellow dock is moderately high in oxalates. Yellow dock can be used in small amounts for short periods of time or intermittently. Sources warn it should not be consumed long term. Yellow dock should be avoided or used with caution when a history of kidney stones is present.

One of the best approaches to high oxalate foods and many herbs is to rotate them. Provide variety for the body to prevent excess.

Please consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning any new herb or healing protocol.

Regarding pregnancy, most herbalists agree that yellow dock may be safer than the ferrous sulfate found in iron supplements, which cause constipation. Ask your practitioner about using Yellow Dock tea or tincture (1 teaspoon daily, in divided doses) combined with iron and vitamin C-rich foods to gently and safely raise iron levels. (source)

Ryan Drum tells us that if you have diarrhea from yellow dock, you’ve probably had too much. That’s logical.

What if you don’t want to drink the tea? Is there an alternative?

If you prefer an alternative to tea, here’s how to make a tincture from yellow dock root.

Find a good Yellow Dock tincture here.

(And: Remember the idea of making a weekly curry with powdered yellow dock added.)

What’s a long term solution for anemia

The root cause of anemia varies patient to patient, but one new finding points to the liver’s capacity for vitamin A storage.

Glyphosate (the poison commonly used in conventional farming) impedes the body’s detoxification mechanisms, which may contribute to chronic vitamin A toxicity over time. (source)

Eating “the rainbow” (colorful foods like kale and red bell peppers), as well as super foods like liver or cod liver oil, adds excessive vitamin A. The theory of vitamin A toxicity speculates that the liver pushes iron out to make room for the storage of vitamin A. Excess vitamin A may cause not only anemia, but also eczema, (ironically) eye health issues, mental health issues, kidney problems and much more.

A temporary low vitamin A diet relieved my iron deficiency. While more testing is needed, it may be helpful to consider the Vitamin A Detox diet (read more here) as a long term solution for anemia.

Other factors in the causes of anemia include pathogen overgrowth, specifically SIBO, and Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. All of these resolve well also, with a low vitamin A diet.

How to have your iron levels checked

Where to start before you supplement? Iron is measured with a ferritin blood test. Doctors don’t always test for ferritin (stored iron).

Doctors’ recommendations for ideal levels of ferritin vary significantly, from 40-70 mcg/L to 70-150 for optimal health. Iron can be too low or too high. Ask your doctor for a copy of your blood work to see if you’ve been tested and what your numbers are.

Also ask your doctor for these iron values tested along with ferritin:

• Serum iron – Measures iron in the blood.
• TIBC (Total iron binding capacity) – Measures how well the protein transferrin can carry iron.
• %Sat (iron saturation) – Calculated by dividing serum iron by TIBC, providing the percentage of transferrin used.

(Serum ferritin can be falsely normal or elevated due to inflammation, liver disease or chronic infection. Combining it with TIBC and saturation helps distinguish between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease.)

If the above three are elevated, then the blood and cells are saturated with iron, and it isn’t being used properly by your body. This could be attributed to liver or thyroid issues, B12 or folate deficiency. We shouldn’t supplement with iron until we understand these values.

If the %Sat and TIBC are low and serum iron is normal or low along with low ferritin, then it may be ideal to start supplementing with iron. These values can be checked every six weeks.

Other resources

After starting with a new doctor about four years ago, I learned about a supplement that balances iron: Lactoferrin. This solution worked well for my adult daughter. We used this product and followed the product’s guidelines for dosage.

Related articles you may like:

• Best Non Toxic Tea Kettles
• How to Make Tea in a French Press
• How to Use Colloidal Silver for Kidney Infections and UTIs
• Rethinking Gallstones: Bile Toxicity, and Zeolite Support
• 7 Reasons Coffee’s Unhealthy

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Additional Sources

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and:
Ganora, L. Herbal Constituents
Tierra, M. The Ways of Herbs
Wood, M. The Earthwise Herbal