- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
North America · Herb · № 576
Juglans nigra
Herb · North America
Black walnut
Juglans nigra
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Stains the skin; not with a nut allergy or in pregnancy.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: The bark was used cautiously because it is poisonous; do not take it.
Preparation
Tea: 1–2 tsp per cup, 15 min, 1–3 cups a day; tincture: 3–30 drops 3 times a day; compress externally; 1 dropperful of tincture with salt in the neti pot.
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples ate the nuts, dyed with the husks and used decoctions of bark and husk for skin diseases, worms and toothache. The green husk stains skin and wood dark brown and was used by settlers as a dye. In Western herbalism it is known as a remedy against intestinal parasites and fungi.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.
Preparation and amount
Tea: 1–2 tsp per cup, 15 min, 1–3 cups a day; tincture: 3–30 drops 3 times a day; compress externally; 1 dropperful of tincture with salt in the neti pot.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
As a laxative; as a dye for baskets and traps. Bark of a tree struck by lightning, put in water, was said to bring rain.
Preparation and amount
Scrape the bark downwards and boil it; boil the husks for brown dye.
Caution: Stains the skin; not with a nut allergy or in pregnancy.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
The bark chewed for toothache, an infusion as a wash for sores; bark, roots and husks gave brown dye, the leaves green. The nuts were dried and cooked with corn and beans.
Preparation and amount
Chew the bark; an infusion as a wash.
Caution: The bark was used cautiously because it is poisonous; do not take it.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureCompress, poultice and paste