It is the season for my Juglans nigra tress, a.k.a “Black Walnut,” to lose their leaves and also their precious and most medicinal fruits. These trees were planted almost 80 years ago, and I just happen to be one of the blessed persons in the world to be able to harness their power and use it to help others. What is Black Walnut used for, you ask? We’ll get there. But, let’s talk about harvesting it first. That is the most important part!
First of all, we have to get those hulls off those nuts. I like the way my friend used to describe black walnuts… “The nuts you need to run your car over to crack;)” Yep! They are hard to work with! You can try to cut off those green husks, or even wait it out and try to get as much green on them before they fall off into a gushy black mess (hair and fabric dye at that point). But, if you know the key (stepping on them), then there is no problem.
This is what it looks like fresh, right off the walnut inside, after separating it. My method: Put the fresh hull with nut between two clean boards and then gently smash with your foot until it squeezes off. Walla!
I have even just put the whole nut in the tincture bottle too. I sometimes add Tulsi (Holy Basil) because well… tulsi goes with everything!… but mostly for additional gastrointestinal benefits.
I use grain alcohol right now (95%), but I will be switching to surgical grade soon. Let your tinctures cold infuse for six weeks or more!
When I leave some nuts on the ground, I come back and find them empty. The critters come and have their fill, leaving me their hearts behind:) The empty nuts make great arts and crafts projects, and gifts for those who have your heart or hearts of gold. I love seeing these tucked into the homes of my friends.
With the left over dried hulls, you can use them for a natural wormer for your pets and farm animals too! I sometimes use the black powder for adding extra iodine (super great detox!) to smoothies or teas too.
But what is it good for medicinally? Well, since I just like to be the harvester and medicine maker, I will leave you with some links that I like.
In a nutshell though;), here is a quick list:
- Anti-Parasitic, Anti-fungal, Antiseptic
- Laxative
- Candida and General Yeast Infection Killer
- Aids in reversal of Leaky Gut Syndrome and IBS
- Inhibits activity of Auto-Immune Diseases like AIDS
- Fights Cancers
- Helps Heart Issues and Disease
- Great source of Iodine for Detox and Radiation Exposure Protection
- Diabetes
- High Cholesterol
- Skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Warts
- Hair and Fabric Dye
I feel so blessed that the old homesteaders who raised their kids on this land were wise enough to plant these hardwood trees for us all to use! When cut, they are most beautiful color as well. That purple fades as it dries, but I wish to be able to preserve it in a table or bowl someday.
I should always have stock of this wonderful medicine every year! There are not much side effects, so it is ok to take a dropper full every day to start detoxing your gut, helping your heart, or aiding with extra iodine in your system. Did I mention that it can clear up any toe fungus issues too??? I cured a Figi foot fungus on a woman that was forty years old. I am pretty proud of the beautiful toes she gets to have again. She even said it removed the systemic infection that she did not know had been affecting her health for so long too. This is a great medicine!!!
Helpful Links for you to study:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Black-Walnut.htm
http://www.naturalalternativeremedy.com/black-walnut-benefits/
http://wellnessmama.com/257/black-walnut-hull-herb-profile/
http://www.fungusfocus.com/html/black_walnut.htm
http://jonbarron.org/herbal-library/foods/black-walnut-hulls-benefits
Crystal Gardens 