Yellow dock is thought to benefit the digestive tract, liver and skin. It is used primarily for skin conditions associated with poor digestion, poor liver function or "toxicity". Yellow dock has a mild laxative effect. It appears to stimulate the release of bile and digestive enzymes. Contact your health practitioner if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Yellow dock should not be used by people taking drugs that decrease blood calcium, such as diuretics, Dilantin, Miacalcin, or Mithracin. Yellow dock should not be used by people with kidney disease, liver disease, or an electrolyte abnormality. Overuse of yellow dock can cause a blood disorder called metabolic acidosis and life-threatening calcium deficiency in the blood. Call your health practitioner if you experience signs of low blood calcium, such as fatigue, seizures, confusion, muscle spasms, and numbness around the mouth. Yellow dock should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Yellow dock’s laxative properties make it an important herbal medication for minor cases of constipation. The laxative action of yellow dock is enhanced with the fiber content in your diet.