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Black Walnut | | |
The bittersweet and nutritious oil of the black walnut has a long history
of medicinal and food uses. Once used as treatment for diphtheria and
syphilis, black walnut is now used mostly for the astringent properties of
its hulls and bark. It has been used world-wide for several centuries for
its anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal actions and remains in
use today. Studies of black walnut are scarce. However, the existing data
coupled with overwhelming cross-cultural use of black walnut in treating
similar health conditions for centuries cannot be ignored. Further studies
are certainly warranted and deserving for the use of black walnut in
Western medicine.
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| Common Name | | | Black Walnut
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Juglans Nigra
| | | Parts Used | | | Hulls, bark, and leaves.
| | | Other Names | | | Eastern Black Walnut, American Walnut.
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| | | Description | | | The walnut tree is also known as the English, Persian, or Carpathian
walnut tree; it is just one species in the vast walnut family called
Juglandaceae. About one-fifth of all
Juglandaceae species are Juglans, including black walnuts (J. nigra),
butternuts (J. cineria), and heartnuts (J. ailantifolia); all these are
believed to have tannins and other healing compounds in their
leaves.
Although the J. regia tree had its origins in eastern
Europe, it is now cultivated throughout North America, Europe, North
Africa, and other temperate regions of the globe. Most of the walnuts
produced for consumption are cultivated in California. The black walnut
tree grows widely in the western U.S. and Canada and is native to the
hardwood forests of the Central Mississippi Valley and the Appalachian
region of North America. It is a large tree and can sometimes reach a
height of 100 feet and 4-5 feet in diameter.
Black walnut extract
is made by harvesting the green hulls which surround the nut of the black
walnut tree. These green hulls are stripped from the nuts, cleaned, and
then they are broken down into smaller parts for use in prepared
supplements and liquid extracts.
The earliest known reference to
the walnut tells that Alexander the Great introduced it to Greece from the
Middle East. In fact, in almost every part of the world,
the walnut is part of local herbal nutrition.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | Black walnut has been used to relieve both constipation and diarrhea due
to a normalizing effect that juglone, one of its active compounds, may
exert on intestinal tissue. It is thought to have some effectiveness, as
well, for eliminating internal parasites such as
tapeworms.
Astringents shrink and tighten the top layers of skin or
mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and
improving tissue firmness. These effects may contribute to the
anti-diarrheal properties of oral black walnut preparations as well as
giving them some usefulness for treating other gastrointestinal complaints
such as indigestion.
As a laxative, black walnut is often used due
to its gentle, non-irritating, and cramp-free intestinal actions. All of
these therapeutic uses are based on case reports; however, none have been
verified through clinical studies in humans.
A gargle made from
black walnut extract in water may be used to treat mouth sores and sore
throat. A similar liquid preparation is sometimes used topically to
disinfect injuries and treat skin conditions such as acne and ringworm.
Results from animal studies show that black walnut may have anti-infective
and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a response to
irritation, injury, or infection. It usually includes pain, redness, and
swelling in the area of the damage and it can occur within body tissues as
well as on the surface of the skin. The juice of black walnut hulls has
also been used to treat warts.
Historically, Native Americans such
as the Cherokee have used black walnut as a laxative, a remedy for
tapeworms, and to detoxify the body. The ancient Greeks used the hulls to
support the intestinal system and to treat skin infections. The bark has
been used in India and Pakistan as a toothpaste.
In veterinary
medicine, black walnut is commonly used for canine heartworms, ringworm,
candida, hotspots, and intestinal parasites.
Black walnut trees
even produce a natural insecticide. According to a professor and extension
forester at Iowa State University, juglone is known to repel various
garden insects. Just by placing branches of the tree around the house and
under furniture, dog and cat owners are amazed to find that their pets
have fewer fleas! (1)
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| | | Traditional Topical Uses | | | Recently, the delicious and easy-to-crack nuts from the walnut tree
(Juglans regia) have received a lot of attention because of their rich
stores of omega-3 fatty acids and other healing nutrients. But for
centuries herbalists have recognized the healing properties of another
part of the walnut tree - its pointy green leaves.
High
concentrations (up to 10%) of astringent compounds called tannins account
for most of the healing qualities in walnut leaf preparations. Tannins
tighten and constrict tissues, making them valuable for protecting areas
of skin and controlling inflammation and itching.
Because of the
astringent properties of black walnut, that is, its ability to tighten top
layers of skin and mucous membranes, many topical mask formulas include
black walnut hulls as a means of maintaining vibrant, youthful-looking
skin.
Black Walnut's anti-fungal actions also make it useful as a
body cream for persistent skin rashes such as eczema, psoriasis, herpes,
boils, ringworm and other difficult skin conditions. Many commercial
preparations include black walnut hull with other active ingredients such
as tea tree oil, slippery elm, and witch hazel.
Topical black
walnut formulations have been used for excessive sweating of the hands and
feet. In France, in particular, the leaf is often applied to sunburns and
to a scalp that is peeling and itching from dandruff.
According to
researchers, walnut leaves even have bacteria-killing, anti-parasitic, and
insect-repelling properties. This largely confirms long-held folk beliefs
about the healing qualities of the leaf. An intriguing survey of older
farmers and shepherds in central Italy, published in the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology in 1999, found that walnut leaf was one of the local
plants most frequently used for repelling insects and treating parasitic
infections on the skin.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Parasites / Parasitic Infections, Worms, Ringworms, Tapeworms, Pinworms, Intestinal Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Indigestion, Hemorrhoids, Constipation
Secondary Indications: Athlete's Foot, Canker Sores, Carbuncles, Eczema (Dermatitis), Herpes (Genital), Periodontal / Gum Disease, Scrofula, Skin Disorders
Other Indications: Cancer / Cancer Prevention, Hypercholesterolemia, Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism)
Secondary Indications: Bruising, Skin Itch
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| | | Actions | | | Alterative (Restorative), Anodyne, Anthelmintic, Anti-Diarrheal, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, Antiseptic, Astringent, Blood Tonic, Depurative, Detergent, Emetic, Laxative, Pectoral, Tonic, Vermifuge
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | Nut/Fruit: Alpha-hydrojuglone-4-glucoside, cobalt, ellagic acid,
fat, iron, magnesium, manganese, myricetin, myricitrin, neosakurnin,
niacin, riboflavin, sakuranetin, sakuranin, selenium, silicon, sodium,
tannin, thiamin, tin.
Hull: Aluminum, ascorbic acid, barium,
calcium, chromium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc.
Seed:
Antimony, arsenic, barium, beta-carotene, boron, bromine, cadmium,
calcium, cerium, cesium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, copper, europium,
fat, fluorine, gold, hafnine, iodine, iron, lanthanum, lead, lutetium,
magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, niacin, nickel, phosphorus,
potassium, riboflavin, rubidium, samarium, scandium, selenium, silicon,
sodium, strontium, sulfur, tantalum, thiamin, thorium, tin, titanium,
tungsten, uranium, vanadium, ytterbium, zinc.
Plant/Root:
Juglone (5-hydroxy-alphanapthaquinone).
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| | | Pharmacological Summary | | | It is widely agreed that the astringents in black walnut, known as tannins
and juglone, help to tighten the top layers of skin or mucous membranes,
thereby limiting secretions, relieving irritants and improving tissue
firmness. Consequently, black walnut has been considered an effective
treatment for gastrointenstinal problems such as indigestion, constipation
and diarrhea. One study on Juglans regia extract indicated some activity
against Microsporum canis and Tricophyton mentagrophytes suggesting its
anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic actions.(2)
While there have been
some animal studies to confirm some of the therapeutic properties of black
walnut, further studies, particularly human trials, are required for any
conclusive assertions. It should be noted, however, The American Medical
Ethnobotany Reference Dictionary claims that the juice from Black Walnut
hull is effective against ringworm.(3)
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| | | Research | | | "The Black Walnut Tree: A Vegetative Guardian Angel"
"Black Walnut: From the Kitchen Doctor"
"Parasites: The Hidden Cause"
"Black Walnut Trees Produce A Natural Insecticide"
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | Black Walnut is listed as safe for short term oral use (typical oral dose
is 1,000 mg three times daily with water), but is regarded as possibly
unsafe for topical application. Due to the lack of reliable studies on the
use of Black Walnut during periods of pregnancy or lactation it is not
recommended for use during these times.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | No interactions between black walnut and drugs or other herbals have been
reported. However, the tannin content of oral black walnut products may
interfere with the way that prescription drugs such as Theophylline,
Codeine, and oral Ephedrine; non-prescription drugs such as
Pseudoephedrine; and other nutritional supplements are used by the body.
If prescription drugs and oral black walnut supplements are taken at the
same time, they should be taken at different times of the day.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | Juglone (a constituent of roots and root bark) is a depressant and may
cause severe pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema in dogs (Auyong et
al, 1963; Boelkins et al, 1968).
Black walnut wood shavings have
been reported to cause laminitis in horses (Thomsen, 2000), (Eaton, 1995),
(Galey, 1991), (Galey, 1990), (Galey, 1989), (Minnick, 1987).
Moldy
hulls and nuts may contain a neurotoxic mycotoxin, known as Penitrem A,
which may have strychnine-like effects with tremors and hyperexcitability.
If ingestion is recent, emesis can be induced and activated charcoal
administered. If the patient is showing signs of toxicity, it should be
anesthetized and gastric lavage performed - emesis is contraindicated.
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| | | Dosage | | | Black walnut capsules, in extract and liquid form, are available
commercially and range in strength from 300 mg to 1000 mg. Typically, a
capsule strength of 400 to 500 mg is recommended to be taken 3
times daily.
Alternatively, 10 to 20 drops of the extract can be
mixed with water to drink . Generally, oral doses are taken three times a
day, but oral use for longer than 6 weeks is not recommended, due to the
tannin content.
As an extract black walnut can be used as a skin
application. It also comes already added to creams, lotions, and
ointments. The usual recommendation for topical use is twice a day.
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| | | References | | | 1. Pokorney, Marilyn. Article Warehouse. February 27, 2005
2.
Ali-Shtayeh, M. S. & Abu Ghdeib, Suheil I. (1999). Antifungal activity of
plant extracts against dermatophytes. Mycoses 42 (11-12), 665-672. doi:
10.1046/j.1439-0507.1999.00499.x
3. Moerman, DE. American Medical
Ethnobotany: A Reference Dictionary. New York, NY: Garland Publishing.
1977.
Our thanks to the following information resources:
DrugDigest.org, HerbMed.com.
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| | 6 total products | | | Black Walnut (Read all about Black Walnut.)
Botanical Latin Name: Juglans Nigra
Plant Part: Hulls, bark, and leaves. | |
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Powder - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
4 oz / 114 g
20.93 US
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Powder - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
1 oz / 28 g
10.40 US
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Tea (Loose) - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
4 oz / 114 g
11.59 US
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Tea (Loose) - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
8 oz / 227 g
17.38 US
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Tea - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
25 tea bags
11.54 US
In Stock - Ships Today!
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Black Walnut - Health - Candida Complex Tea - Echinacea, Sheep Sorrel, Barberry and More
50 tea bags
17.49 US
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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