Black Walnut Husks (Juglans nigra) - Botanical Medicines

Black Walnut Husks ( Juglans nigra )

Expert gardeners know better than to plant under the black walnut tree because walnuts contain a chemical that kills anything in its proximity. American Indian tribes recognized black walnut bark's destructive power and used it to treat ringworm, a fungal skin infection. It apparently binds directly with the infected cells, and is able to quickly eliminate stubborn fungal problems such as athlete's foot and jock itch. Black walnut husks may also be effective against cancer, and German researchers have obtained a patent to use black walnut husks for anti-cancer treatments.

Preliminary studies conducted during the 1960s revealed that large doses of the chemicals in walnuts may help lower blood pressure. More recent studies of the English walnut have documented its effectiveness in helping lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet.

Black walnut supplements are also one of the highest concentrated sources of natural serotonin, the neurotransmitter that performs a variety of functions. Ample amounts of serotonin in the nerve cells, for example, help regulate sleep, mood, food intake, and pain tolerance, while low serotonin levels produce insomnia, depression, food cravings, increased sensitivity to pain, aggressive behavior, and poor body temperature regulations. The discovery of a possible link between low levels of serotonin and some cases of major depression has already led to the development of more precisely targeted antidepressant medications that boost serotonin to normal levels. Further research may find a new role for black walnut husks as a natural, non-addictive source of serotonin to treat mental disorders such as anorexia nervosa, kleptomania, self-mutilation, schizophrenia, and aggressive behavior.