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Yellow dock

Yellow dock suppliers and sourcing guide

Yellow dock is Rumex crispus, a common perennial weed in the buckwheat family native to Europe and western Asia and now widespread in North America. The herbal trade uses the long yellow taproot, wild-harvested, dried and sold cut, powdered or as extracts; the root contains anthraquinones and tannins. Young leaves are eaten as a vegetable in some regions.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Rumex crispus · curly dock · curled dock · yellow dock root
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of yellow dock

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut root

    Dried root cut for tinctures and decoctions.

  • Root powder

    Milled dried root for capsules and blends.

  • Liquid extract

    Hydroalcoholic or glycerin extract of the root, usually not standardized.

  • Certified wild or organic

    Root from certified wild collection or organic sources, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC)
Checks to confirm Rumex crispus root and flag other Rumex species.
Anthraquinone assay
Hydroxyanthracene derivatives by a named UV or HPLC method, where the specification sets limits.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density and, for extracts, the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvent.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Wild-harvested root varies in species, anthraquinone content and soil, so check each lot's identity and metals results against your specification. Record the supplier lot and harvest region, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Rumex crispus (POL-NF-00668) lists the leaves as not novel in food, and all plant parts other than the leaves as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Yellow dock suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking yellow dock suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell yellow dock? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of yellow dock can brands buy?

Common forms include cut root, root powder, liquid extract and certified wild or organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for yellow dock include?

Expect identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC), anthraquinone assay, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should yellow dock be stored?

Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of yellow dock?

The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Rumex crispus (POL-NF-00668) lists the leaves as not novel in food, and all plant parts other than the leaves as not novel in food supplements.

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