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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Black Walnut
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedBark, leaves, rind of the fruit Description of Plant(s) and CultureBlack walnut is a large, Temperate Zone forest tree growing to 120
feet; its bark is rough and dark. The leaves are pinnately compound,
with 9-21 ovate lanceolate, serrate leaflets. Male and female flowers
grow in separate catkins. The fruit is a deeply grooved nut inside
a spherical, rough husk. October-November. Where FoundFound in rich woods. Western Massachusetts to Florida; Texas to Minnesota.
Canada Medicinal PropertiesBark: astringent, laxative, alterative Leaves: alterative Rind: herpatic Biochemical InformationJuglon (also called nucin or juglandic acid) Legends, Myths and StoriesBlack walnut produces the famous walnut wood of commerce, as well
as the familiar edible nuts. Treats dog or man bites, painter's oil,
flavoring. Black walnut hulls are used for dyeing hair. Boil the hulls
in 1 quart of water. Allow to steep until a very dark brew is obtained.
Add copperas, the size of a pea, to set the dye. Strain and use as
a hair rinse after shampoo. Repeat rinses until desired shade is acquired. UsesUse an infusion or decoction for diarrhea and to stop the production of milk. Use it as a douche for leukorrhea and as a mouthwash for soreness in the mouth or inflamed tonsils. The leaves can be used to make a cleansing wash, and the green rind of the fruit makes a good poultice to get rid of ringworm. Dried bark may be taken in a strong infusion as a purgative. The unripe nut kills intestinal worms. Chewing the bark is a remedy for toothache; an insecticide for bed bugs. Rubbed on the skin, the extract of black walnut is said to help eczema, herpes, psoriasis, fungus infections, and skin parasites. Native Americans used inner-bark tea as an emetic, laxative, chewed
the bark for colic, poulticed
for inflammation. Formulas or DosagesTea: steep 1 oz. of either the bark or leaves in 1 cup water and take 2 or 3 times daily. Extract: mix 10 to 20 drops in water or juice daily. Externally: rub extract on skin 2 times daily. WarningHusk will stain anything it touches.
Resource LinksMayo Clinic - Cholesterol: Top 5 foods to lower your numbers PubMed.gov: Antihypertriglyceridemic effect of walnut oil. PubMed.gov: Blood cholesterol and walnut consumption: a cross-sectional survey in France. Bibliography
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Walnut
The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.