Nettle in, dock out. Dock rub nettle out!

I am the proud caretaker of the herb garden at the Tivoli housing co-op in upstate New York. And by caretaker, I mean I'm just following the plan of the previous gardener, getting starting on planting and clearing space for cultivated herbs these last few warm weeks of Sprin-winter. 

harvesting yellow dock in the herb garden

There are many medicinal plants growing in the "way" of the garden, but the one I was digging up last week first was Yellow Dock. One of my most powerful experiences with herbs involved a 1 week liver detox that included yellow dock, oregon grape, dandelion, and yes, yellow dock. A common field weed, yellow dock is a superior reliever of liver stagnation and deficiency. I had had a rough winter, and the yellow dock helped to jump-start my body and mind - relieving past bad habits and creating space for new habits of health and lightness.  Yellow dock is nutritive and gets things moving, resolving dampness and stagnation in a deficient Spleen/Stomach and Liver/Galbladder meridians. Yellow dock is also a remedy for nettle stings - and often grows close by - but only if you sing the tune "Nettle in, dock out. Dock rub nettle out!"

I've noticed dandelion, burdock, violet and other old friends sprouting up all over the place. Nettles are next, ramps, and the elderflowers! 

Be in touch if you'd like to talk more about liver detoxing - I'm starting my annual one in a week or so and would love to do it with you.