Black Walnut Benefits | Gut Health, Parasites, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is highly valued for its dark timber and is native to the western states of northeast America. In the past, herbal extracts made from black walnut hulls were used as hair dye & skin colourants. Medicinally, black walnut hulls are utilised to manage acne, inflammatory diseases, parasites, fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
Black Walnut Pharmacology
Botanical Name
Juglans nigra
Other Common Names
Green Black Walnut, Green Walnut, Jupiter's Nuts, Walnoot & Walnut.
Part Used
Hulls
Main Therapeutic Compounds
Juglone and other phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, myricetin, quercetin, tannins, fixed oils, volatile oils, terpenoids, gallic acid and caffeic acid.
Herbal Actions
Depurative
Astringent
Laxative
Antiparasitic
Antiviral
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Black Walnut Herbal Benefits
Intestinal Parasites | Fungal, Bacterial and Viral infections | Constipation | Diarrhoea | Excessive sweating | Skin conditions
Antifungal & Antibacterial
Black Walnut's main constituent, Juglone, has antifungal properties useful for conditions such as athlete's foot and ringworm. One study showed that Juglone inhibits the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, responsible for causing gastritis and peptic ulceration. It has been suggested that Black Walnut and the compound Juglone could become a new antibacterial agent to treat infections and prevent antibiotic resistance.
Black Walnut has antifungal actions that have shown to be effective in reducing Candida. A study conducted at the University of Mississippi concluded that Black Walnut Hulls prevented Candida from developing and growing by inhibiting enzymes needed for yeast metabolism.
Antiparasitic
One of the primary benefits of Black Walnut Hulls is their ability to expel gastrointestinal worms and parasites. Black Walnut Hulls, are frequently used in parasite digestive cleanses for their high content of tannins and Juglone to improve bowel motility and expel parasites.
Constipation & Diarrhoea
Herbalists commonly use Black Walnut extract to relieve constipation and diarrhoea due to the astringent and soothing effects that the compound Juglone has on intestinal tissue.
Black walnut Typical Use
Tea & Infusion
1 level teaspoon of Black Walnut powder mixed in herbal tea.
Tincture & Liquid Extract
Typical use of Black Walnut tincture or liquid extract is approximately 1-5mls daily, or as directed by your practitioner.
Herbal Combinations
Black Walnut combines well with Myrrh, Sweet Wormwood, Andrographis, Oregano, Thyme & Calendula
Cautions & Safety
Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
Must be avoided in people with nut allergies.
If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical medications, please consult your primary healthcare practitioner prior to use.
References
Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
Inbaraj JJ, Chignell CF. Cytotoxic action of juglone and plumbagin: a mechanistic study using HaCaT keratinocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 2004;17:55-62
Montoya, J., Varela-Ramirez, A., Estrada, A., Martinez, L. E., Garza, K., and Aguilera, R. J. A fluorescence-based rapid screening assay for cytotoxic compounds. Biochem Biophys.Res.Commun. 12-24-2004;325(4):1517-1523.
Amarowicz, R., Dykes, G. A., and Pegg, R. B. Antibacterial activity of tannin constituents from Phaseolus vulgaris, Fagoypyrum esculentum, Corylus avellana and Juglans nigra. Fitoterapia 2008;79(3):217-219.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal primary healthcare practitioner. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Naturopath Herbals nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their doctors or qualified health professionals before beginning any herbal product, nutritional supplement or lifestyle program.