Page 227 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Black Walnut, Eastern,

Juglans nigra

The eastern black walnut is a deciduous tree in the Ju-
glandaceae (Walnut) Family. It is widespread in East-
ern North America.

Identification: Black walnut trees grow to 100 feet
(30 meters) tall and have a tall, straight trunk with an
oval crown. The bark is grey-black with deep, thin
ridges that appear to give the bark a diamond-shaped
pattern. It usually doesn’t have lower branching – just
the top crown. Buds are pale colored and covered in
hairs. To Treat and Prevent Parasites: Black wal-
nut hull, used along with garlic, cloves, Oregon grape
Terminal buds are 1/4 inch (0.75 cm) long and oval root, and wormwood, is an excellent remedy for para-
shaped. Lateral buds are smaller. Its large (1 to 2 foot) site and worm infections. I have used this herbal blend
pinnately compound leaves are alternately arranged for many types of parasitic infections. This remedy will
with 13 to 23 leaflets, each 3 to 4 inches (7.5 cm to 10 kill the eggs, larva, and adult worms and parasites.
cm) long. Leaflets have a rounded base, pointed tip,
and a serrated margin. Leaves are dark green, smooth Skin Care: For preventing and treating blemishes,
on top and hairy on the bottom. acne, psoriasis, eczema, warts, poison ivy, and other
skin conditions, use a poultice from ground black wal-
The black walnut has both male and female flowers. nut husks and water. For sensitive skin, try mixing a
Male flowers appear first on drooping catkins, approx- little of the powdered husk with a carrier oil.
imately 3 to 4 inches (7.5 cm to 10 cm) long, on the pre-
vious year’s growth. Female flowers appear on new Antifungal: Black walnut hull is an excellent choice
growth in clusters of two to five flowers. for treating fungal infections. Black walnut contains ju-
glone and tannins that are very effective for treating
The fruit (nuts) ripen in the fall. A brownish-green yeast infections, including Candida, in the gut and on
husk covers the brown nut. The nut, including the the skin. Externally, black walnut is effective against
husk, falls to the ground in October or November and athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and other common
is harvested from the ground. The seed is small fungal infections. Use the juice from the fruit husk
and hard. While the nut lacks odor, most parts externally as a treatment for ringworm
of the tree have a characteristic pungent or make a poultice or salve from
or spicy odor. powdered husks when fresh hulls
Edible Use and Other aren’t available. Apply the absor-
Use: The seed is edible, ei- bent powdered hulls into the
ther raw or cooked. The flavor folds of the skin for surface yeast
is rich and sweet. The sap of infections and heat rashes.
the tree can be tapped and Digestion and Laxative:
drunk or concentrated into The anti-inflammatory activity of
syrup or sugar. Black walnut hulls black walnut is useful in treating upset
work well as a dye. stomach, inflamed colon or gut, and normalizing the

Medicinal Use: Black walnut is an anti-inflamma- digestive process. Black walnut hull also treats consti-
tory, anti-fungal, antiviral, astringent, emetic, laxative, pation, diarrhea, and is a laxative.
painkiller, and vermifuge. The green hulls are more po- Heart Health: Black walnuts contain beneficial
tent than the mature black hulls, and are what I use for omega-3 fatty acids and other heart healthy com-
medicine. pounds.

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