Black Walnut Leaf
Juglans nigra
History: Native American Indians enjoyed the pleasures and health benefits of the Black Walnut well before European explorers arrived. The upper Great Lakes region provides archeological evidence of walnut consumption dating back to 2000 BC. Black Walnut was used by several Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Delaware, Iroquois, and Meskwaki, in teas as a cathartic, emetic, or disease remedy agent. It was also chewed or applied for toothaches, snake bites, and headaches. The Comanche pulverized the leaves of black walnut for treatment of ringworm.
Uses: worms, burns, skin conditions
The Commission E approved the use of walnut leaf for mild, superficial inflammations of the skin and excessive perspiration of the hands and feet.
The German Standard License indicates walnut leaf aqueous decoction to be used topically as a cataplasm or partial bath for the same conditions as approved in the Commission E (Braun et al., 1997). An infusion of equal parts walnut leaf and wild pansy herb (Viola tricolor), for external use, is particularly useful for skin complaints in children (Weiss, 1988). In France, walnut leaf is used topically to treat scalp itching, peeling, and dandruff, sunburn and superficial burns, and as an adjunctive emollient and itch-relieving treatment in skin disorders (Bruneton, 1995). In India, walnut leaf decoction is used externally as a wash for malignant sores and pustules
Active Ingredients: Tannins, Juglone, vitamin C, zinc
Actions: Antifungal, antiparasitic
Warning: Prolonged use is not advised due to the presence of significant quantities of juglone, a known mutagen in animals.