Sixteen varieties of Walnut have been noted for their medicinal
value: Juglans ailanthifolia - Japanese Walnut, Juglans ailanthifolia
cordiformis - Heartseed Walnut, Juglans californica - California
Walnut, Juglans cathayensis - Chinese Walnut, Juglans cinerea,
Juglans hindsii - Hind's Black Walnut, Juglans intermedia, Juglans
major - Arizona Walnut, Juglans mandschurica - Manchurian Walnut,
Juglans microcarpa - Texas Walnut, Juglans nigra - Black Walnut,
Juglans regia, Juglans regia fallax, Juglans regia kamaonia, Juglans
sinensis, Juglans x bisbyi – Buartnut
Only
two Walnuts are native to my region: Juglans cinerea (Butternut) and
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)
Among
the most regal and historied of these medicinal trees is the
Juglandaceae, the Walnut family…. Walnuts, black walnuts, pecans
and hickories. Although some members of the family have more
specific actions or are stronger in one regard than another, I will
generalize these under “Walnuts”.
The
properties of Walnuts are many, and not the least of these are the
delicious and nutritious nuts. Walnuts are rich in protein, omega 3
and omega 6 fatty acids, ALA, copper, folic acid, manganese, B-6,
vitamin E and a variety of other antioxidants and useful substances.
Our herbalist ancestors, though, who subscribed to “The Doctrine of
Signatures” (a school of thought that an herb’s usefulness may be
indicated by the similarity of its appearance to a corresponding body
part or visible illness) would certainly have noticed the similarity
between the nut and the human brain. William Cole, an exponent of
the doctrine of signatures, says in Adam in Eden, 1657:
Wall-nuts
have the perfect Signature of the Head: The outer husk or green
Covering, represent the Pericranium, or outward skin of the skull,
whereon the hair groweth, and therefore salt made of those husks or
barks, are exceeding good for wounds in the head. The inner wooddy
shell hath the Signature of the Skull, and the little yellow skin, or
Peel, that covereth the Kernell, of the hard Meninga and Pia-mater,
which are the thin scarfes that envelope the brain. The Kernel hath
the very figure of the Brain, and therefore it is very profitable for
the Brain, and resists poysons; For if the Kernel be bruised, and
moystned with the quintessence of Wine, and laid upon the Crown of
the Head, it comforts the brain and head mightily.
The
medicinal properties of the Walnut are not in the nut alone, however.
The husk, shell, leaves and bark all have their uses. The Lost Book
of Herbal Remedies states, “Black walnut is an anti-inflammatory,
anti-fungal, antiviral, astringent, emetic, laxative, painkiller, and
vermifuge. The green hulls are more potent than the mature black
hulls….”
Saint
Hildegard, von Bingen recommend:
…take
the leaves of this tree while they are fresh. Squeeze the juice from
them onto the place where maggots are eating a person, or where
maggots or other worms are growing on him. Do this frequently, and
they will die. But, if worms are originating in his stomach, he
should take the leaves of the walnut tree, with equal amount of peach
tree leaves, before their fruits are ripe, and pulverize them over a
fiery hot stone. He should eat this powder often, either with an egg
, or in broth, or cooked in a bit of cereal. The worms in his
stomach will die.
If
leprosy has begun to grow on someone, squeeze the juice from these
leaves and add old fat to it, making an ointment. When the leprosy
is still new on him, he should anoint himself with this, near the
fire. Without a doubt he will be healed, unless God does not wish
it.
One
who has much phlegm in him should take that which exudes from the
walnut tree when its branches or rootstock are cut. He should cook
it gently in wine with fennel and a little savory, strain it through
a cloth, and often drink it warm. It will throw off phlegm, and he
will be cleared out.
One
who has bad scabies on his head should take the outer skin of the
walnut, that is its shell, and squeeze its juice over the wounds,
that is over the scabies on his head. When they have swollen up
from the bitterness of the juice, he should anoint them with olive
oil, which will check the bitterness. If he does this often, the
scabies will be cured.
John
Gerard, the great herbalist, was a collector and grower of most any
plant he could acclimate to the English climate. His gardens may
have provided inspiration for William Shakespeare (believed to be a
neighbor and friend), and likely provided much inspiration for those
wonderful plays and poems full of woodland scenes and plant lore.
Surely, the two knew much of the grand English Walnut and its uses.
Of Walnut, Gerard wrote:
Dry
nuts taken fasting with a fig and a little Rue withstand poison,
prevent and preserve the body from the infection of the plague, and
being plentifully eaten they drive worms forth of the belly. The
green and tender nuts boiled in sugar and eaten as succade, are a
most pleasant and delectable meat, comfort the stomach, and expel
poison. The oil of walnuts made in such manner as oil of almonds,
maketh smooth the hands and face, and taketh away scales or scurf,
black and blue marks that come of stripes or bruises. Milk made of
the kernels, as almond milk is made, cooleth and pleaseth the
appetite of the languishing sick body. With onions, salt, and honey,
they are good against the biting of a mad dog or man, if they be laid
upon the wound….The outward green husk of the nuts hath a notable
binding faculty…. The leaves and first buds have a certain binding
quality, as the same author showeth; yet there doth abound in them an
hot and dry temperature. Some of the later physicians use these for
baths and lotions for the body, in which they have a force to digest
and also to procute sweat.
Being
an herbal historian, Gerard also included, “Being both eaten, and
also applied, they heal in short time, as Dioscorides saith,
gangrenes, carbuncles, ægilops, and the pilling away of the hair:
this also is effectually done by the oil that is pressed out of them,
which is of thin parts, digesting and heating. Galen devised and
taught to make of the juice thereof a medicine for the mouth,
singular good against all inflammations thereof.”
Culpepper
believed Walnuts to be useful for dog bites (although I would not
suggest them for rabies, unless there was no other treatment
available!), and for other venoms and poisons:
…if
they' [the leaves] be taken with onions, salt, and honey, they help
the biting of a mad dog, or the venom or infectious poison of any
beast, etc. Caius Pompeius found in the treasury of Mithridates, King
of Pontus, when he was overthrown, a scroll of his own handwriting,
containing a medicine against any poison or infection; which is this:
Take two dry walnuts, and as many good figs, and twenty leaves of
rue, bruised and beaten together with two or three corns of salt and
twenty juniper berries, which take every morning fasting, preserves
from danger of poison, and infection that day it is taken. . . . The
kernels, when they grow old, are more oily, and therefore not fit to
be eaten, but are then used to heal the wounds of the sinews,
gangrenes, and carbuncles. . . . The said kernels being burned, are
very astringent . . . being taken in red wine, and stay the falling
of the hair, and make it fair, being anointed with oil and wine. The
green husks will do the like, being used in the same manner. . . . A
piece of the green husks put into a hollow tooth, eases the pain.
As
usual, Maude Grieve gives us the most complete explanation of how
herbs were used in the British tradition, her book being published in
the 1930s and summing up so many centuries of folk medicine:
The
bark and leaves have alterative, laxative, astringent and detergent
properties, and are used in the treatment of skin troubles. They are
of the highest value for curing scrofulous diseases, herpes, eczema,
etc., and for healing indolent ulcers; an infusion of 1 OZ. of dried
bark or leaves (slightly more of the fresh leaves) to the pint of
boiling water, allowed to stand for six hours, and strained off is
taken in wineglassful doses, three times a day, the same infusion
being also employed at the same time for outward application.
Obstinate ulcers may also be cured with sugar, well saturated with a
strong decoction of Walnut leaves.
The
bark, dried and powdered, and made into a strong infusion, is a
useful purgative.
The
husk, shell and peel are sudorific, especially if used when the
Walnuts are green. Whilst unripe, the nut has worm destroying
virtues.
The
fruit, when young and unripe, makes a wholesome, anti-scorbutic
pickle, the vinegar in which the green fruit has been pickled proving
a capital gargle for sore and slightly ulcerated throats. Walnut
catsup embodies the medicinal virtues of the unripe nuts.
The
leaves have a very strong, characteristic smell, aromatic and not
unpleasant, but said to be injurious to sensitive people. They have
three, sometimes four pairs of leaflets and a terminal one, the
leaflets varying in size on the same leaf, being 2 1/4 to 4 inches in
length and 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide, entire, smooth, shining, and paler
below.
Gather
the leaves only in fine weather, in the morning, after the dew has
been dried by the sun. The prevalence of an east wind is favourable,
as the dry air facilitates the process of drying. Reject all stained
leaves.
Drying
may be done in warm, sunny weather, out-of-doors, but in half-shade
as leaves dried in the shade retain their colour better than those
dried in the sun and do not become so tindery. They may be placed on
wire sieves, or frames covered with wire or garden netting - at a
height of about 3 or 4 feet from the ground, to ensure a current of
air - and must be taken indoors to a dry room or shed, before there
is any chance of them becoming damp from dew or showers.
The
juice of the green husks, boiled with honey, is also a good gargle
for a sore mouth and inflamed throat, and the distilled water of the
green husks is good for quinsy and as an application for wounds and
internally is a cooling drink in agues.
The
thin, yellow skin which clothes the inner nut is a notable remedy for
colic, being first dried, and then rubbed into powder. It is
administered in doses of 30 grains, with a tablespoonful of
peppermint water.
The
oil extracted from the ripe kernels, taken inwardly in 1/2 OZ. doses,
has also proved good for colic and is efficacious, applied
externally, for skin diseases of the leprous type and wounds and
gangrenes.
An
Irish Herbal states:
Two
or three walnuts eaten with a fig and a little rue, on an empty
stomach, provide prevention against infection. The kernel oil will
heal bruises and scabby and itchy skin, and taken internally, will
break up the stone in the bladder and urinary crystals. A decoction
of the green peel or husk of the walnut is useful against tumors and
ulcers of the mouth and throat. The bark of the tree, either green,
dried or crushed, encourages vomiting.
Brother
Aloysius wrote of Walnut:
The
infusion of the leaves contains ½ to ¾ cup per 2 cups boiling water
and is one of the best remedies for scrofulous constitutions. An
infusion of flowers contains 2/3 to 1 cup per 2 cups boiling water
and is used for leukorrhea. The green rind of the unripe fruit,
prepared in gin, is a well known stomatic. The fruit septa, ground
to a powder, is a commonly known remedy for fleshy excrescences: this
powder should simply be sprinkled on the effected area. It can
especially be used for gangrene: 1 sugar spoon of powder should be
taken twice a day in wine, and a little powder should be sprinkled on
the wound. The young buds can be used to prepare an excellent
ointment to prevent hair from falling out and the prevention of
dandruff; a handful of buds should be fried for about ½ hour in 1 ½
cups lard. Take 1 to 2 cups of the flower infusion daily for
jaundice, heavy bleeding or lupus.
Maria
Treben wrote:
A
tea of walnut cleanses the blood and is an effective remedy for
intestinal disorders, as well as for constipation and lack of
appetite. It is used successfully for jaundice and diabetes.
A
decoction of the leaves, added to bath water, is beneficial for
scrofula, rickets, caries, and swellings of the bone, as well as, for
festering toe and finger nails. An improvement is noted soon, if
areas affected by cradle- cap, scabs and scurf are washed with a
decoction of the green leaves. Baths and washings enriched with his
decoction are used for acne, festering eczema, sweaty feat and
leucorrhea. As a mouthwash, it is used for stomatitis, inflamed
gums, throat and larynx.
A
strong decoction of the leaves, added to bathwater is used for
chilblains. It is also beneficial for hair loss, when massaged
frequently into the scalp. This decoction is an excellent remedy for
head lice. The fresh leaves are used to repel insects.
About
the middle of June, the unripe nuts are picked (a pin should easily
run through them) and used to prepare a delightful cordial, which
cleanses the stomach, liver and blood, strengthens weak stomachs and
improves foul intestines. It is an excellent remedy for thick blood.
Jolanta
WIttib writes:
Walnut
is valued not only for the delicious nuts. I collect the leaves, the
green shell of the nuts and the nuts, of course. The leaves and
green outer layer of the nuts have a lot of tannins which make them
valuable as home medicine. I add them to my mixtures for stomach
problems, spasms or light diarrhea. My favorite is the nut! I add
them to my apple pie (apple strudel), or baked apples. Or have nuts
as a snack while hiking. Have you tried to store nuts in honey? It’s
delicious.
Resources
of the Southern Fields and Forests states:
JUGLANDACEAE.
(The Walnut Tribe.)
BUTTERNUT;
OIL-NUT, (Juglans cinerea,Jj.) Grows in the mountains of South and
North Carolina. Fl. April.358 IT. S. Disj). 710 ; Archives Gen. 3c
seric, x, 399, and xi, 40; Frost's Elems. Mul. Med. 131. ' The inner
bark of the root. affords one of the most mild and efficient
laxatives we possess.
The
extract was a favorite remedy in General Marion's camp during the
Revolutionary war. It is very efficacious in habitual constipation,
in doses often to thirty grains; the tirst acting as a laxative, the
maximum purging. Big. Am. Med Bot. ii, 115; Mx. N. Am. Sylva, 160;
where it is spoken of as a mild cathartic, operating without pain or
irritation, and resembling rhubarb in its property of evacuating
without debilitating the alimentary canal. Dr. Rush employed it
during the war. Wood says it is highly esteemed in dysentery, Lind.
Nat, Syst. 181. The rind of the fruit and the skin of the kernel are
extremely astringent, anthelmintic and cathartic; the oil extracted
from the fruit is of a very drying nature. Mer. and do L. Diet, de M.
Med. iii, 687, (J. cathartica.') He remarks that the inner bark of
the root is acrid and caustic, and purges, but occasions neither heat
nor irritation; adapted to bilious constitutions and to dysentery;
often combined with calomel. It is given to animals in a disease
called “yellow water;" Bull, des Sci. Med. Fer. xii, 338. To
extract the cathartic principle, the bark is boiled in water for
several hours; remove the extraneous matter and boil down the
decoction to the consistence of honey or molasses—pills may be made
of this. A syrup may also be made. The bark is strongest in the early
summer. The powdered leaves are rubefacient, and act as a substitute
for cantharides. Coxe, Am. Disp. 365. The bark of the branches af-
fords a large quantity of soluble matter, chiefly of the extractive
kind, water seeming to be a solvent. Wetherill found in it fixed oil,
resin, saccharine matter, lime, potash, a peculiar principle, and
tannin. Dr. B. S. Barton, in his Collections, 23, 32, thinks it is
possessed of some anodyne property. Dr. Gray ascertained that four
trees, eight to ten inches in diameter, produced in one day nine
quarts of sap, from which was made one pound and a quarter of sugar,
equal, if not superior to that produced from the maple. This plant is
always given in the form of extract or decoction. Griffith's Med.
Bot. 589; Thacher's Disp. 245; Eush's Med. Obs. i, 112; Pe. Mat. Med.
and Therap. ii, 767 ; Lind. Med. Fl. 387.
BLACK
WALNUT, {Juglans nigra, L.) Diffused in lower and upper country of
South and North Carolina; Newbern. Fl. June. Mer. and de L. Diet, de
M. Med. iii, 687; Griffith, Med. Bot. vi, 89. The bark is styptic and
acrid; the rind of the unripe fruit is said to remove ring-worms and
tetter ; and the decoction is given with success as a vermifuge. "
A kind of bread is obtained from the fruit." In a communication
received from J. Douglas, M. D., of Chester District, South Carolina,
his correspondent, Mr. McKeown, informs me that a bit of lint, dipped
in the oil of the walnut kernel and applied to an aching tooth, is an
effectual palliative; he has employed it for thirty years with great
satisfaction. The following appeared in one of the journals during
the year 1861: Walnut leaves in the treatment of Diseases.—Dr.
Negries, physician at Anglers, France, has published a statement of
his success in the treatment of scrofulous disease in different forms
by preparations of walnut leaves. He has tried walnut leaves for ten
years, and of fifty six patients, afflicted in different forms,
thirty-one were completely cured, and there were only four who
appeared to have obtained no advantage. The infusion of the walnut
tree leaves is made by cutting them and infusing a good pinch between
the thumb and forefinger in half a pint of boiling water, and then
sweetening it with sugar. To a grown person, M. Negries prescribed
from two to three teacupsful of this daily. This medicine is a
slightly aromatic bitter its efficiency is nearly uniform in
scrofulous disorders, and it is stated never to have caused any
unpleasant effects. It augments the activity of the circulation and
digestion, and to the functions imparts much energy. It is supposed
to act upon the lymphatic system, as under its influence the muscles
become firm, and the skin acquires a ruddier hue. Dry leaves may be
used throughout the winter, but a syrup made of green leaves is more
aromatic. A salve made of a strong extract of the leaves mixed alone
with clean lard and a few drops of the oil of bergamot is most
excellent for sores. A strong decoction of the leaves is excellent
for washing them.
The
salutary effects of this medicine do not appear on a sudden—no
visible effect may be noticed for twenty days, but per-severance in
it will effect a cure. As walnut tree leaves are abundant in America,
and as the extract of them is not dangerous or unpleasant to use, and
scrofula not uncommon, a trial of this simple medicine should be
made. In directing attention to it good results may be expected.
The
Thomsonian System of Medicine states:
BUTTERNUT.
Juglans Cinerea. (Dr. Thomson.)
This
tree grows common in this country, and is well known from the nut
which it bears, of an oblong shape and nearly as large as an egg, in
which is a meat containing much oil, and very good to eat. The inner
bark of this tree is used by the country people to color with. The
bark taken from the body of the tree or roots, and boiled down till
thick, may be made into pills, and operate as a powerful emetic and
cathartic; a syrup may be made by boiling the bark and adding
one-third molasses and a little spirit, which is good to give
children for worm complaints. The buds and twigs may also be used for
the same purpose, and are more mild.
BUTTERNUT.
Juglans Cinerea. (Dr. Greer.)
The
inner bark of the white walnut tree has an important place in the
Materia Medica. Its principal use is as a physic, and in that respect
it is exceedingly valuable on account of its mild action and the
tonic impression left upon the structures of the bowels. Its chief
influence is exerted upon the lower bowels, and for that reason it
cannot be excelled for prolapsus and constipation due to a sluggish
condition of the large bowels. It is best administered in the form of
syrup made by slowly boiling a pound of the bark in water and
evaporating to one pint and adding two pounds of sugar; dose, a
teaspoonful. Butternut syrup is a valuable physic for use in
protracted febrile diseases.
Juglans
Cinerea. (Dr. Lyle.)
The
inner bark of the root is more active than that of the trunk, but
both are used. It yields its properties to boiling water, except its
astringency, which property is yielded when alcohol is the menstruum
used instead of boiling water. Juglans is an active stimulating
hepatic and cathartic. It relieves the portal system, disgorges the
liver and cleanses the bowels. For catharsis it usually takes from
four to eight hours, according to the dose given. Juglans Cinerea
tones the entire alvine mucous membrane, but especially that of the
lower bowels, influencing peristalcis. The alcoholic fluid extract
may be used in diarrhoea and dysentery. It cleanses the surface and
leaves the parts toned and astringed. The aqueous extract being free
from this astringency may be used to relieve chronic constipation. It
is in this sphere one of the most valuable preparations. In relieving
the portal circulation it also relieves hemorrhoids and rectal
hemorrhages. In dysentery, in small doses, it cleanses the bowels,
relieves the portal circulation and tones the mucous membranes. To
prepare the syrup of Juglans, gather your bark from the fifth to the
twentieth of April in the country. It is then strongest. Crush or
chop fine. Then boil till quite strong and pour off and cover a
second and third time to completely exhaust the strength of the drug.
Then boil all together and evaporate to threefourth or equality of
one pint per pound of bark. Then for each twelve ounces add alcohol,
two ounces, and sugar, four ounces. It is well adapted to the
treatment of skin eruptions. It is a tonic to both mucous membrane
and dermoid tissue and slightly increases the action of the kidneys.
It is one of the most valuable agents in the whole materia medica. It
relieves the liver, proves gently cathartic and leaves the bowels
soluble and toned. These are qualities that can be accorded to but
few agents. By the use of this agent the faeces becomes more or less
darkened.
King's
American Dispensatory, 1898 tells us:
Action,
Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Butternut in small doses is a mild
stimulant to the intestinal tract, proving laxative and in larger
doses is a gentle and agreeable cathartic, causing no griping, nor
subsequent weakness of the intestines. It resembles rhubarb in its
effect, but without inducing constipation after its action. It is
very valuable in cases of habitual constipation, colorectitis, and
several other intestinal diseases. It is generally used in the form
of an extract, in doses of 1 to 30 grains. An excellent combination
for chronic constipation is the following: Rx Ext. butternut, ʒj;
ext. nux vomica, grs. v. Mix. Ft. Pil. No. 40. Sig. Two pills, 3
times a day (Locke). The same pill is very efficient in deficient
gastric secretion, in atonic dyspepsia, and in indigestion
accompanied with gastric irritation, sour eructations, and flatulent
distension of the stomach. Administer 1 pill a day. Juglans is useful
in tenesmic, burning, fetid diarrhoea and dysentery, and should be
remembered in intestinal dyspepsia with irritation. The specific
juglans may be given in from 1 to 10-drop doses. The same doses of
the same preparation act as an efficient alterative in chronic skin
affections and scrofula, being particularly indicated in those skin
affections exhibiting vesicles or pustules. Webster believes it
effectual in all skin diseases except those presenting parasitic,
scrofulous, or syphilitic manifestations. Juglans is an efficient
cathartic to use when a free action of the bowels is demanded in
rheumatism and chronic respiratory affections. A strong decoction of
it is much employed in some sections of the country, as a domestic
remedy in rheumatism affecting the muscles of the back, and in
intermittent and remittent fevers, as well as in other diseases
attended with congestion of the abdominal viscera; it is also reputed
efficient in murrain of cattle, and yellow water in horses. It was
used with great advantage in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea
occurring among our soldiers in the Civil War. Dose of the extract,
from 1 to 30 grains, usually from 1 to 5 grains; specific juglans, 1
to 20 drops, the smaller doses being preferred for its specific
action.
Specific
Indications and Uses.—Chronic constipation; gastro-intestinal
irritability, with sour eructations, flatulence, and either diarrhoea
or constipation dependent thereon; diarrhoea and dysentery with
tenesmus and burning and fetid discharges; torpid liver; chronic skin
affections of a pustular or vesicular character, discharging freely;
eczematous affections.
According
to Plants for a Future:
The
walnut tree has a long history of medicinal use, being used in folk
medicine to treat a wide range of complaints. The leaves are
alterative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, astringent and
depurative. They are used internally the treatment of constipation,
chronic coughs, asthma, diarrhoea, dyspepsia etc. The leaves are also
used to treat skin ailments and purify the blood. They are considered
to be specific in the treatment of strumous sores. Male
inflorescences are made into a broth and used in the treatment of
coughs and vertigo. The rind is anodyne and astringent. It is used in
the treatment of diarrhoea and anaemia. The seeds are antilithic,
diuretic and stimulant. They are used internally in the treatment of
low back pain, frequent urination, weakness of both legs, chronic
cough, asthma, constipation due to dryness or anaemia and stones in
the urinary tract. Externally, they are made into a paste and applied
as a poultice to areas of dermatitis and eczema. The oil from the
seed is anthelmintic. It is also used in the treatment of menstrual
problems and dry skin conditions. The cotyledons are used in the
treatment of cancer. Walnut has a long history of folk use in the
treatment of cancer, some extracts from the plant have shown
anticancer activity. The bark and root bark are anthelmintic,
astringent and detergent. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies -
the keywords for prescribing it are "Oversensitive to ideas and
influences" and "The link-breaker".
Peterson
Field Guides Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants tells us about
butternut and black walnut:
Butternut:
Inner bark tea or extract a popular early American laxative, thought
to be effective in small doses, without causing griping or cramps.
American Indians use bark tea for rheumatism, headaches, toothaches;
strong warm tea for wounds to stop bleeding, promote healing. Oil
from nuts used for tape worms, fungal infections. Juglone, a
component, is antiseptic and herbicidal, some anti-tumor activity has
also been reported.
Black
walnut: American Indians used inner bark tea as an emetic, laxative;
bark chewed for toothaches. Fruit husk juiced used on ringworms; Husk
chewed for colic, poultice for inflammation. Leaf tea astringent,
insecticidal against bedbugs.
Botany
In a Day states:
There
are about 20 species of walnuts in the world. They all produce edible
nuts, but of varying quality… Medicinally, the leaves, bark and
husks are rich in tannic acid, with some bitter components; walnut is
used mostly as an astringent but also as a vermifuge, internally to
get rid of worms, externally for ringworm fungus. The green husk is
rich in vitamin C. Butternut bark contains naphthoquinone laxative.
One
has to wonder how our ancestors discovered the medicinal uses of the
Walnut family. I would suggest that it came about through
observation. Walnuts, as the Latin name suggests, produce a
substance called juglone. Juglone prevents many trees and plants
from growing near the walnut - this most unsociable quality prevents
faster growing trees from competing with the Walnut for sunlight,
water and other resources. Some trees and bushes though are “juglone
tolerant”, and if you wish to include Walnuts in your landscape,
you will want to research such plants. But basically, Walnuts don’t
play well with others! Could our ancestors have noticed this trait
and wondered if such a unique and powerful plant could have medicinal
use against other creatures that may compete for our resources….
parasites, bacteria, etc?
Obviously,
I can only speculate. But I recall the horses on our farm when I was
a kid, eating the tender spring pecan and black walnut leaves that
grew in and near the pasture. I was told not to let them eat too
much, but that the horses somehow knew to eat those leaves to prevent
worms. I also heard of folks feeding them to chickens for the same
reason. I don’t know if that is recommended, but the old folks
would often say, “animals know what they need; they know what
plants are medicine.” Of course, that wasn’t always true, but
this was the folk knowledge our ancestors knew. It makes me wonder
what other wisdom is to be found just over our heads and under our
feet?
This article is an excerpt from The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide: by Judson Carroll
His New book is:
Read About The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else"
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
His other works include:
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6
Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
Read About Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else: http://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R
The Encyclopedia of Bitter Medicinal Herbs:
southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R
Christian Medicine, History and Practice:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB
Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People
southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html
Also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25
Look Up: The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide
http:///www.amazon.com/dp/1005082936
The Herbs and Weeds of Fr. Johannes Künzle:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/05/announcing-new-book-herbs-and-weeds-of.html
Author: Judson Carroll. Judson Carroll is an Herbalist from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
His weekly articles may be read at judsoncarroll.com
His weekly podcast may be heard at: www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs
He offers free, weekly herb classes: https://rumble.com/c/c-618325
Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
