Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff8b09ff46884347400
Scientific name Rumex dentatus
Authority L.
First published in Mant. Pl. 2: 226 (1771)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

The kite-shaped leaves of Rumex dentatus have long served in poultice form for wounds and skin sores across parts of South Asia and the Himalayas. In the Kumaon Himalaya, Ghimire et al. (2006) recorded that communities crush fresh leaves and apply the mash as a wound dressing for cuts and sores. North‑Indian practice follows a similar line: Kumari et al. (2012) reported that the fresh leaf mash is applied to boils, sores, and cuts. In Bangladesh, Khan et al. (2015) noted the leaf poultice used for wounds and skin irritation; related survey work by Mazumder et al. (2005) confirms comparable external use of dock leaves for cuts and sores. Farmers’ ethnobotanical lists from western India record the leaf poultice for treating wounds and skin infections (Malhotra and Moorthy, 2013). These accounts consistently involve fresh or lightly crushed leaves, sometimes moistened with water before packing into the affected area.

Practical recipe: For a fresh leaf compress for minor skin irritation or non‑bleeding abrasions, clean 4–6 fresh leaves, bruise them in a clean bowl, and add 2–3 teaspoons of warm water to make a spreadable mash. Apply a thin layer to the affected area, cover with a fresh cloth, and reapply every 2–4 hours or until the skin is no longer sensitive. Safety: do not use on deep or actively bleeding wounds; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes; wash hands after handling the material.

Active constituents reported for this species include flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, anthraquinones such as emodin and chrysophanol, and tannins (Raza et al., 2017; Kumari et al., 2012). These compounds plausibly account for the astringent, antimicrobial, and styptic properties traditionally ascribed to the leaf poultice.

Modern relevance: While controlled clinical trials on Rumex dentatus are lacking, pharmacological studies indicate antioxidant and antibacterial activity supporting its recorded use as a wound poultice; the leaves remain locally collected for skin applications across parts of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Young leaves and tender stems are occasionally consumed as a leafy green after cooking. Processing typically involves boiling, blanching, or sautéing to reduce acidity.

Industrial and craft applications:
No industrial or craft applications are recorded for this taxon.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Young leaves and shoots are used as a cooked green and may be incorporated into mixed vegetable dishes and pickles in parts of South Asia.

Colorants and tanning:
No dye or tannin uses are documented for this species.

Wood and fiber:
No timber or fiber uses are documented for this species.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No fragrance or cosmetic uses are documented for this species.

Properties relevant to use:
Leaves contain oxalates, which influence palatability and food processing; the plant’s morphology and phenology suit simple horticultural utilization as an edible potherb.

Standards and regulation:
No food, cosmetic, or timber standards specifically mention this species.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Populations are commonly ruderal; it is harvested locally from wild or semi-wild stands. No conservation assessment is recorded for this taxon.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Rumex limosus Thuill. Fl. Env. Paris , ed. 2: 182 (1799)
Rumex dentatus subsp. klotzschianus (Meisn.) Rech.f. Beib. Bot. Jahr. 49(2): 19 1932
Rumex nipponicus Franch. & Sav. Enum. Pl. Jap. 2: 471 (1878)
Rumex halacsyi C.Rechinger Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 49: 105 (1899)
Rumex klotzschianus Meisn. Prodr. 14: 57 (1856)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English toothed dock
English golden dock
English aegean dock
Arabic ضرس العجوز
Bengali সোনালি জল পালং
Welsh tafolen ddanheddog
Persian ترشک دندانهدار
Finnish hammashierakka
ks اَبُج
ks اۆبُج
Punjabi ਜੰਗਲੀ ਪਾਲਕ
Punjab جنگلی پالک
Swedish tandskräppa
Urdu جنگلی پالک
Chinese 牛舌草
Chinese 牛舌草花
Chinese 齿果酸模
Chinese 齒果酸模

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Rumex dentatus subsp. callosissimus (C.F.W.Meissn.) Rech.f. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 49(2): 13 1932
Rumex dentatus subsp. halacsyi (Rech.) Rech.f. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 49(2): 18 1932
Rumex dentatus subsp. mesopotamicus Rech.f. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 49(2): 16 1932
Rumex dentatus subsp. reticulatus (Besser) Rech.f. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 49(2): 18 1932

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Uganda
    • Northern Africa
      • Egypt
      • Libya
      • Tunisia
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Mali
  • Asia-temperate
    • Arabian Peninsula
      • Gulf States
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Yemen
    • Caucasus
      • North Caucasus
      • Transcaucasus
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Inner Mongolia
      • Qinghai
      • Xinjiang
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Nansei-shoto
      • Taiwan
    • Middle Asia
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kirgizstan
      • Tadzhikistan
      • Turkmenistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • Russian Far East
      • Kuril Islands
      • Primorye
    • Western Asia
      • Afghanistan
      • Cyprus
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Lebanon-Syria
      • Palestine
      • Sinai
      • Turkey
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • Bangladesh
      • East Himalaya
      • India
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • West Himalaya
    • Indo-China
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Vietnam
  • Europe
    • Eastern Europe
      • South European Russia
      • Ukraine
    • Middle Europe
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Netherlands
    • Northern Europe
      • Great Britain
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Albania
      • Bulgaria
      • Greece
      • Romania
    • Southwestern Europe
      • France
      • Spain
  • Northern America
    • Eastern Canada
      • Ontario
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Northwest
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Illinois
      • Missouri
    • Northwestern U.S.A.
      • Oregon
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • Texas
    • Southwestern U.S.A.
      • Arizona
      • California
    • Western Canada
      • Alberta

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000403385
Canadensys 8209
USDA Plants RUDE3
Tropicos 26002657
INPN 119476
Flora of Italy 430
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:697039-1
The Plant List kew-2423932
Open Tree Of Life 65840
Observations.org 121598
NCBI Taxonomy 1006352
NBN Atlas NBNSYS0000014025
Nature Serve 2.136279
IPNI 697039-1
iNaturalist 78902
GBIF 2889038
Freebase /m/0c0075t
EPPO RUMDE
EOL 587351
Calflora (Californian flora) 7216
USDA GRIN 32532
Wikipedia Rumex_dentatus
CMAUP NPO24601

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Bruguiera Genus and Its Endophytes: A Review Luo X, Chen X, Zhang L, Liu B, Xie L, Ma Y, Zhang M, Jin X Mar Drugs 29-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC11050931
doi:10.3390/md22040158
PMID:38667775
Folk Knowledge and Perceptions about the Use of Wild Fruits and Vegetables–Cross-Cultural Knowledge in the Pipli Pahar Reserved Forest of Okara, Pakistan Jabeen S, Arshad F, Harun N, Waheed M, Alamri S, Haq SM, Vitasović-Kosić I, Fatima K, Chaudhry AS, Bussmann RW Plants (Basel) 14-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10974405
doi:10.3390/plants13060832
PMID:38592859
Approaches, Strategies and Procedures for Identifying Anti-Inflammatory Drug Lead Molecules from Natural Products Jamtsho T, Yeshi K, Perry MJ, Loukas A, Wangchuk P Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 22-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10974486
doi:10.3390/ph17030283
PMID:38543070
Management of Rumex dentatus L. in Vicia faba L. cultivations via Ononis vaginalis Vahl. As a potential bioherbicide Elghobashy RM, Rashed SA, Fakhry AM, Mostafa RM, Essawy HS, El-Darier SM Heliyon 18-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10884923
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26381
PMID:38404847
Antibacterial and antibiofilm potentials of Rumex dentatus root extract characterized by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS Khan I, Khan U, Khan W, Alqathama A, Riaz M, Ahmad R, Mahtab Alam M Saudi J Biol Sci 18-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10899039
doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.103962
PMID:38419820
Habitat suitability modelling of Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) in moist temperate forest Badrulislam, Khan KA, Khalil S, Hussain M, Saqib Z, Altaf J, Hadi R, Habiba U PLoS One 15-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10868740
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296921
PMID:38359051
Exploring the benefits of wild plants in dietary nutrition: investigating perspectives, choices, health impacts and sustainable practices Anwar T, Qureshi H, Shahzadi S, Siddiqi EH, Ali HM, Abdelhamid MM, Nazim M BMC Complement Med Ther 14-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10865668
doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04379-4
PMID:38355544
Hormetic Effect Caused by Sublethal Doses of Glyphosate on Toona ciliata M. Roem de Faria GS, Carlos L, Jakelaitis A, de Freitas ST, Vicentini TA, Silva IO, Vasconcelos Filho SC, Lourenço LL, Farnese FS, Batista MA, Vitorino LC Plants (Basel) 15-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10747235
doi:10.3390/plants12244163
PMID:38140490
Associate plant parasitic nematodes to weed species in some newly reclaimed lands AbdelRazek GM, Balah MA Sci Rep 11-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10713981
doi:10.1038/s41598-023-49357-x
PMID:38081941
Phytochemical analysis, GC–MS profile and determination of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities of peel and seeds extracts (chloroform and ethyl acetate) of Tamarindus indica L Tavanappanavar AN, Mulla SI, Shekhar Seth C, Bagewadi ZK, Rahamathulla M, Muqtader Ahmed M, Ayesha Farhana S Saudi J Biol Sci 25-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10730893
doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103878
PMID:38125735
Quantification of pendimethalin residue in green fodder and silage of winter cereals using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Brar NS, Mandal K, Kaur S, Sandhu AK, Bhullar MS, Singh MP J Pestic Sci 20-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10710936
doi:10.1584/jpestics.D23-045
PMID:38090216
Role of anthraquinones in combating insulin resistance Xia W, Li S, Li L, Zhang S, Wang X, Ding W, Ding L, Zhang X, Wang Z Front Pharmacol 20-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10694622
doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1275430
PMID:38053837
Ethno-Dentistry of Medicinal Plants Used in North Waziristan, Pakistan Rehman S, Iqbal Z, Qureshi R, AlOmar TS, Almasoud N, Younas M, Rauf A, Irfan M Int Dent J 11-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10988256
doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.10.001
PMID:37953188
Optimization studies on batch extraction of phenolic compounds from Azadirachta indica using genetic algorithm and machine learning techniques Patil SS, Deshannavar UB, Gadekar-Shinde SN, Gadagi AH, Kadapure SA Heliyon 04-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10658312
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21991
PMID:38027702
Physiological mechanism of action and partial separation of herbicide–active compounds from the Diaporthe sp. extract on Amaranthus tricolor L. Manichart N, Laosinwattana C, Somala N, Teerarak M, Chotsaeng N Sci Rep 31-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10618292
doi:10.1038/s41598-023-46201-0
PMID:37907593

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives
[(7R,8R)-7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl (2R)-2-hydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-3-methylbutanoate 44584035 Click to see 299.36 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes
1,3,8-Trihydroxy-6-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone 122635 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones
((2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(8-Hydroxy-6-Methyl-9,10-Dioxoanthracen-1-Yl)Oxyoxan-2-Yl)Methyl 3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoate 5315852 Click to see 568.50 unknown via CMAUP database
1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-4a,9a-dihydroanthracene-9,10-dione 24867638 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Aloe emodin 10207 Click to see 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Chrysophanol 10208 Click to see 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Physcion 10639 Click to see 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones
Emodin 3220 Click to see 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Emodin(1-) 25201450 Click to see 269.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthols and derivatives
Nepodin 100780 Click to see 216.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons
(7aS)-1,4,4,7a-tetramethyl-5H-indene 101599337 Click to see 174.28 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters
Ethyl tiglate 5281163 Click to see 128.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Isooleic acid 5282760 Click to see 282.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(2R,4E,6E)-8-hydroxy-2,7-dimethylocta-4,6-dienoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 11099620 Click to see 332.39 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 4-hydroxy-4-[(1E,3E)-5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,3-pentadien-1-yl]-3,5,5-trimethyl-, (4S)- 44584347 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides
(E)-4-[(4R)-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycyclohexen-1-yl]but-3-en-2-one 10872343 Click to see CC1=C(C(CC(C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)(C)C)C=CC(=O)C 370.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 11870456 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Secondary alcohols
(7aS)-2,4,5,7aalpha-Tetrahydro-1alpha,4,4,7aalpha-tetramethyl-1H-inden-2alpha-ol 101609001 Click to see CC1C(C=C2C1(C=CCC2(C)C)C)O 192.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Cyanogenic glycosides
Amygdalin 656516 Click to see 457.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Acetals / Ketals
(1R,6S,8R)-2,2,6,8-tetramethyl-7,11-dioxatricyclo[6.2.1.01,6]undec-4-ene 21636591 Click to see 208.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Dialkyl ethers
(3S)-3-ethoxynonane 101915605 Click to see 172.31 unknown via CMAUP database
Heptane, 1-ethoxy- 519677 Click to see 144.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans / Dibenzofurans
2-Hydroxy-3,4,7-trimethoxydibenzofuran 10355969 Click to see 274.27 unknown via CMAUP database
2,8-Dihydroxy-3,4,7-trimethoxydibenzofuran 441782 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=CC(=C(C(=C3OC2=C1)OC)OC)O)O 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Epsilon-Cotonefuran 10334385 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
Dehydroascorbic Acid 440667 Click to see 174.11 unknown via CMAUP database
Marmelolactone B 101282733 Click to see CC1CC(OC1=O)C=CC(=C)C 166.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes
(1R,9R)-2,2,9-trimethyl-8,12-dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.01,6]dodec-5-ene 21636592 Click to see 208.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrrolizidines
1H-Pyrrolizine-1-methanol, hexahydro-, (1S-cis)- 94259 Click to see C1CC2C(CCN2C1)CO 141.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydrofurans
Marmelo oxide A 14379832 Click to see 152.23 unknown via CMAUP database
Marmelo oxide B 14379831 Click to see 152.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Diarylheptanoids / Linear diarylheptanoids
Tocris-1610 6603986 Click to see CC1=C(C(=C(C(=C1O)C(=O)C)O)CC2=C(C(=C3C(=C2O)C=CC(O3)(C)C)C(=O)C=CC4=CC=CC=C4)O)O 516.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[2,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxychromen-4-one 57339948 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(OC4O)CO)O)O)O)O 464.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
2-(2,3-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one 53399169 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=C(C(=CC=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
CID 44258797 44258797 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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