Docking with Docks

A ship coming into dock. A prisoner In the dock. Docking a lamb's tail.

Dock is one of those odd words that has a host of meanings and uses. 

A ship's dock comes from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German docke, which is probably via Late Latin ductia from which we also get 'duct' - a channel. The dock at a court comes from the Flemish dok meaning a pen or cage for animals. To dock a tail comes from the Old English docca or 'muscle'. 

So why is a Dock Leaf a Dock Leaf? It gets its name from its shape as docce was Old English for a bundle or tuft. 

It's a funny old language isn't it? 

And Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a funny old plant because the one thing it's most famous for - soothing Nettle stings - isn't true. No wonder its scientific name includes 'obtuse'.

The whole Nettle sting business is, sadly, an Old Wives' Tale with no basis in fact. It's been tested many times under laboratory conditions and Dock contains no active chemicals for soothing pain. 

So how did it get this reputation? 

Probably by being mistaken for Greater Plantain (see here) which commonly grows alongside Dock and Nettle and has a superficial similarity. You can see how they might be mistaken - here's Dock (left) and Greater Plantain (right).

Plantain leaves are very effective at dealing with nettle stings or insect bites/stings because they contain natural antihistamines, antifungal agents, antioxidants, analgesics and even a mild antibiotic.

Meanwhile, I'm afraid that any results from use of Dock are simply due to the placebo effect. There is some evidence that the act of rubbing the stung area (with any kind of leaf) disperses the poison. And Dock leaves are large and feel cool against the skin, which may provide some relief too. The fact that they do feel cool was used by farmers in the past, who would wrap home-made butter in Dock leaves while it was being transported to market. The plant was therefore sometimes known as Butter Dock.  

Dock is an edible plant - it's closely related to Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) but tastes rather more bitter. The leaves can be used as salad (the younger the better) or cooked like spinach. Or you can stuff them like vine leaves. The stems of young plants can be chopped, simmered and sweetened with honey as a substitute for rhubarb. You can make Dock soup too and the dried seeds can be used as a spice. However, like Sorrel, it does contain oxalic acid and eating a lot of it can cause tummy upsets.

It's another common 'weed' that has actually got a lot more going for it than most people realise.