The black walnut is one of six species of walnut that are native to North America. The tree grows in the eastern part of the United States and up through Canada. It is deciduous hardwood that can reach to 100 feet. The walnut is prized for its ornamental and shade-giving qualities, and the nuts are harvested for culinary and medicinal value. When using black walnut, as with all remedies, a qualified health care professional should be consulted to determine the most appropriate course of therapy.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Black walnuts contain high levels of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid known for its ability to reduce inflammation and help in the prevention and management of chronic conditions such as arthritis and heart disease, according to the website WalnutsWeb.com. A 2006 study in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology," found that the omega 3 fats in black walnuts reduced the damaging effects of a high fat meal on arteries. Walnuts performed better than olive oil, in the study. While both reduced inflammation, walnuts also increased flexibility and elasticity of arteries.
Juglone
Juglone is a compound produced by the leaves, roots, husks and bark of the black walnut and is toxic to many other plants, helping the black walnut to compete for space by discouraging its competitors. Juglone is useful in human health and nutrition for its antiparasitic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, according to the website KitchenDoctor.com.
Tannins
Tannins found in the hull of the black walnut are antibacterial, anti-hepatotoxic anti-hypertensive and anti-tumor, according to the website Vitamins-Supplements.org. Tannins are astringent and bitter and are responsible for the dry filmy sensation in the mouth caused by eating unripe fruit or red wines, which contain high quantities. When used topically, these compounds are said to be effective against a variety of skin ailments including eczema, herpes, psoriasis, ringworm acne and canker sores, according to Vitamins-Supplements.org. As a caution, the website HerbalExtractsPlus recommends that due to the high tannin content, black walnut hull extracts should not be taken on a continual basis.
Minerals
Black walnut has been used for its high organic iodine content to help combat bacterial infections and other infectious microorganisms. Iodine is popularly used as an antiseptic in medicine and kills pathogenic bacteria by attaching itself to them. A 1-oz. serving of black walnut also contains 55 percent of the daily value of manganese, 10 percent of the daily value for copper and 14 percent of the daily value for magnesium and phosphorus.
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Vitamin Content
One oz. of black walnuts contains 8 percent of the daily value for B6 and 5 percent of the daily value for pantothenic acid--B5. And, while the walnuts themselves contain only 0.5mg vitamin C per ounce, black walnut hulls contain higher concentrations of vitamin C, which are obtained when taking capsules of the powdered hull as a supplement for brief periods of up to two weeks at a time.
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