The black walnut tree, Juglans nigra, grows in the central and eastern parts of the United States, bearing shelled nuts with a distinct flavor. The bark and roots of the black walnut tree have medicinal value, according to the Physician's Desk Rsference (PDR) of Herbal Medicines. Use herbal remedies under the direction of a medical doctor.
A tincture is the liquid extract of an herb's medicinal properties. To make a black walnut tincture, soak finely chopped bark or roots in an alcohol-and-water solution. After straining the liquid, the tincture remains. You can substitute glycerol when alcohol is undesirable.
Topical Uses
Black walnut tincture in a glycerol base may be beneficial in ointments or applied full strength to the skin to combat fungal infestations such as athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicines.
Other skin irritations may benefit from the application of black walnut tincture, including eczema and psoriasis. Gale reports that black walnut tincture may also be beneficial in the treatment of syphilis sores.
Applied topically, black walnut tincture may discolor the skin with repeated use.
Worms/Parasites
High in Juglone, a worm-destroying agent, black walnut tincture, combined with water or tea, may be taken daily when a patient has intestinal worms. Use only as directed by a certified herbalist or doctor of naturopathy. When taking black walnut internally, side effects include diarrhea and mild nausea. Gale suggests using 5g of the tincture in approximately 4 oz. of water and drinking up to three doses per day.
Other Uses
Although clinical studies confirming the benefits of black walnut tincture are lacking, Gale reports that the herb is used to purify the blood, to reduce gout and to increase glandular health. Patients may also use the tincture to lower high blood pressure, stimulate bowel movements, and treat rheumatism.
East Asian herbalists use black walnut tincture to treat respiratory ailments, including asthma, chronic coughs and bronchitis.
Drugs.com warns pregnant women and nursing mothers to avoid using black walnut.
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 1"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition, Joerg Gruenwald, PhD, 2000
- Drugs.com: Black Walnut
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