Black Walnut Hulls
Also known as- Juglans nigra, English Walnut, Akschota, ructus Cortex, Juglans, Juglandis, Juglandis Folium, Juglans regia, Nogal, Walnussbl*tter, WalnussfrÙchtschalen, Walnut, Walnut Fruit, and Walnut Hull.
Introduction
The black walnut is native tree of North America. Black walnuts are smaller, harder, and more pungent than the English walnuts sold in grocery stores. The hulls without the meaty kernels inside are used in herbal medicine. Black walnut trees exude a sap that discourages growth of competing plants over their roots.
Constituents
Juglone, vitamin C, zinc.
Parts Used
The powdered hull.
Typical Preparations
Tinctures, pastes and slurries. Up to 1 teaspoon of the herb 3 times a week taken internally as a tea.
Summary
Black walnut hulls contain juglone, a chemical that is antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and a fungicide. As a skin wash, black walnut hulls are used to treat ringworm and yeast infections of the skin. Taken internally, black walnut hulls are used to treat intestinal worms.
Precautions
Black walnut hulls are safe for occasional use up to 2 weeks at a time, but black walnut heartwood is not. Avoid herbal remedies including both heartwood and hulls. The safety of black walnut hulls has not been established.