A black walnut tincture is easy to make at home, and all it takes is a fresh supply of ripe black walnuts. The walnuts themselves will still be perfectly good to eat since a black walnut tincture is made using the green outer husk rather than the nut itself. The resulting tincture is used to purge parasites and as a topical anti-bacterial. It also has the added benefit of being an emergency iodine supplement.
Harvesting Black Walnuts
Unless you have a backyard nut tree, you’ve likely never seen the green husk on a walnut. It’s a fleshy coating that grows outside of the nut itself. Inside you’ll find a hard nutshell, and then inside that is the nut meat. By the time walnuts reach the supermarkets, the soft fruit like outer coating has already been removed.
Black walnuts fall from trees right around the first fall frost. In Central Vermont that happens in mid-October, but they’re harvested a bit earlier in northern areas and later further south. Black walnut grow wild in the eastern half of the United States, and they make up whole forests in some areas. They’re a tasty cold hardy nut tree, so they’re commonly planted even in areas outside their wild range.
Beyond their nuts, black walnuts trees are one of more than two dozen trees that can be tapped for syrup, just like maples. That’s just one more great reason to plant a black walnut tree. The nuts themselves are tasty, although they have a higher tannin content than the Persian walnuts you find in the stores these days.
Black walnuts taste best if the green hulls are removed as soon as possible so they don’t leach into the nut and make them bitter. Since the outer husk of black walnuts is almost always a discarded waste product, a homemade black walnut tincture is a great way to put it to use.
Black Walnut Tincture Uses
I first learned about black walnut tincture as a natural remedy for intestinal parasites. A friend was trying to treat her dog’s intestinal worms without resorting to harsh prescription de-wormer. While I can’t speak to black walnut tincture’s supposed safety with pets, I know that it worked in this case.
In humans, a black walnut tincture is most commonly used for that same purpose. Besides it’s used as an anti-parasitic agent, a black walnut tincture is also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial due to the high levels of tannins extracted from the black walnut hulls.
If you don’t happen to have black walnut trees nearby, or they’re not currently in season, black walnut tincture is available from Starwest Botanicals. They also sell black walnut hull capsules for an easy pill form, or dried black walnut hull powder for use in topical antifungal remedies (such as salves and creams).
Black Walnuts and Iodine
Not only is black walnut tincture a potent medicine, it’s also one of the few land-based sources of iodine. While you can forage for salt deposits inland or extract salt from plant material when you’re far from ocean salt sources, most inland sources of salt lack iodine. Black walnuts, specifically black walnut husks, are a great source of iodine in a pinch.
I’ve found spotty references that suggest that black walnut hull extracts were applied to those exposed to radiation after the Chernobyl disaster. Supposedly if you apply the black walnut tincture to the skin, the iodine can be absorbed directly. I’m still looking for a good, reputable source to back up this information.
Other sources say that it contains enough iodine to be used as a topical anesthetic for wounds. Given that black walnut tincture also contains tannins which are antibacterial, and this makes sense even if iodine levels are in fact relatively low. Add in the fact that it’s in a suspension of high proof alcohol, and you’ve got a great recipe for wound sterilization.
How to Make Black Walnut Tincture
If the husk is left on the nut too long, it’ll quickly begin to spoil. The smell is not fun, and the husks more or less liquify into a slimy, highly staining mass. Choose fresh black walnuts that have just fallen from the tree within the past day or two. They should be firm and have no visible breaks or insect damage on the outside.
Using a sharp knife, cut the husks off of each black walnut. As each husk comes off the nut, it releases an exotic, almost intoxicating scent. I’ve read that the smell supposedly comes from the high iodine content, but I used to work in a surgical suite, and it didn’t bring to mind any iodine scrubs I’ve ever smelled. That said, I think it’s quite pleasant, but my husband disagrees. Keep in mind that a strong smell is normal, and it’s not a sign of a spoiled black walnut.
The hull themselves are very staining, so much so that black walnut has been used historically as a wood stain, natural ink and hair dye. Use gloves when handling black walnuts or your hands will be stained brown for weeks.
As you first cut a very fresh black walnut it can be a bit deceiving. The fresh husks are a creamy white color. As they’re broken and exposed to air, they oxidize almost immediately and begin to turn brown. I was hoping to get a picture of the white interior, but they brown in less than 2 seconds and I just couldn’t move that fast.
Once you’ve sliced the soft green husk from the outside of the black walnut shells, place the hunks of black walnut hull in a jar. Pick a jar that you don’t mind losing because the tincture will stain the glass and it will not wash off. Fill the jar to within about 2 inches of the top with black walnut husks.
Once the jar is nearly full, fill it to the top with alcohol. You don’t need anything high proof here, just a cheap bottom shelf vodka. Store the infusing tincture out of direct sunlight and allow it to infuse for 1-2 months. Give the jar a shake every time you think about it, but be extra sure the lid is on tight. If it’s not, that’s one unholy staining mess that’s much worse than your average homemade tincture.
Once the tincture has fully infused, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer and store it in amber dropper bottles until needed.
Black Walnut Tincture Dosage
Though black walnut tincture is considered a gentler way to purge parasites than conventional prescription de-wormers, it’s still hard on the system. There is some evidence that it can cause mouth or throat cancer if taken internally over long periods. Do not use black walnut tincture for more than 2 weeks at a time.
The dosage for black walnut tincture is usually set at 15-20 drops taken in water 2-3 times per day.
Black Walnut Powder
Besides a black walnut tincture, the green hulls can also be dried to make a black walnut powder. The powder is a bit more versatile since it can be mixed with water to make it into an ink, dye or wood stain. A black walnut powder can also be used for medicinal purposes just like a tincture (but without the alcohol).
I’ve also seen it made into a salve for topical antifungal use.
I covered a baking tray with black walnut husks and placed them in the oven at 300 degrees for 3-4 hours. They didn’t feel that wet in my hands when I put them on the tray, but they took a surprisingly long time to dry in the oven.
I would not suggest trying to air or sun-dry black walnut hulls. They degrade and spoil quickly, and will liquify within a day or two of cutting. Get them into an oven or near a woodstove quickly to dry.
Once they’re fully dry, allow the black walnut husks to cool completely. At this point, they can be ground into a powder with a food processor or small coffee grinder. Be careful not to use anything that cant be stained, as the powder will stain the plastic of a food processor quickly.
Out of season, you can also purchase dried black walnut hull powder and it’s rather inexpensive given that the hulls are commonly considered a waste product of nut production.
Stephanie Harren
How much powder would you use to make a tincture? I dont have black walnit around me.
Ashley Adamant
Good question and I’m sorry to say I don’t have an exact answer. The powder is a lot more concentrated than the husk, since it’s ground up and the husks are pretty fluffy and full of air (a bit like packing peanuts). If I were trying to make a tincture from black walnut powder, I’d fill a jar about 1/4 of the way full with the powder and then fill it the rest of the way with alcohol. That’s my best guess at what would give the same concentration as using the husks themselves.
John Bell
I have a large black walnut tree in my yard and picking up all those nuts is a pain. Most times I put them in a box and put them by the road marked as FREE. Someone always takes them. I will try to make medicines from them for sure. If you want some I live in Chazy NY,very near VT. THANKS FOR THE info.
John Bell.
Tina
Thank you for posting this. I have many black walnut trees in the woods behind my house and coincidentally, my naturopathic doc just told me to get some black walnut husk tincture as an iodine supplement. However, when reading through your instructions, I’m not clear if the outside green casing of the walnut is considered part of the husk that goes into the jar with the vodka, or does it get stripped off? Any further clarification appreciated!
Ashley Adamant
The outside green part is what you put in the alcohol. The nut (shell and all) are not involved in the tincture, it’s only the green husk.
Tina Story
Thank you for clarifying! I thought perhaps we were supposed to peel off the green part…LOL but as soon as I cut into the walnuts, it became quite obvious so this was probably a dumb question!
Ashley Adamant
No worries, happy to help!
Anna
Tha k you for this blog. It is very helpful. And, thank you for all that you do for the world as an off grid homesteader, sharing knowledge and insight as to how to better care for oneself!
Ashley Adamant
You’re quite welcome, it’s fun to write =)
Barbara
You say it’s good for fungus. Will it help tonnail fungus?
Ashley Adamant
I’ll start with a note that I’m not a doctor, or even a clinical herbalist, so I’d suggest you consult a real one to be sure. That said, from what I’ve read black walnut is used for all manner of topical fungal issues, including ringworm and athletes foot. It stands to reason that some kind of foot bath would help toenail fungus, but I don’t have any personal experience trying to treat it.
Roseann
A personal story…steeped green hulls in olive oil, discarded and steeped a second batch. Used this to make a salve. My mother put it on toenails for fungus problem…it helped.
Patricia Lloyd
Thanks for the personal experience! I love this article, it always pays to read several viewpoints on an herbal medicine. I’ve also found that different herbs work differently for every person. This way to make a salve sounds, well, sound!
Shanel Taylor
I have a recipe that needs the walnuts after the green soft outter part has been removed but BEFORE they’ve been “cleaned” and the “hull” is removed. I understand the green fruit part spoils very quickly but I don’t really need that part. Is there any way you can point me toward where I can find these walnuts with the hull intact OR be willing to sell me a few? Pretty please?
Ashley Adamant
The only place to get them is fresh off the tree. They spoil in a day or two once picked, so you really just have to find a black walnut tree if you want to make it yourself.
Debra
I’d like to know how long the shelf life is on a bottle of black walnut extract.
Ashley Adamant
I believe generally tinctures are considered to be potent for 1-2 years. Since it’s an alcohol extract it shouldn’t “spoil” but it may not keep the same properties forever. In truth though, I’m sure the exact potent shelf life varies by the tincture and I’m not sure anyone’s ever really studied it in detail.
"Wildman" Steve Brill
Excellent info, but you didn’t mention 1 danger of the tincture. Some people can have severely adverse reactions to it. Never use the tincture if you’re a lawyer or a politician: It kills parasites! (-:
north beach
Thank you for this wonderful article. Happy to hear that you are living close to nature. I grew up outside engaging with animals and plants, and playing in the trees (I live in California). People are so far removed from their environment while they constantly talk about “environmental issues” –it is so bizarre. It is wonderful to find a site with real stories about nature. CM
Kristen
Aside from being messy to work with, can black walnuts that have been sitting outside on the ground all winter still be used to make the tincture? Or do they actually spoil/rot, thus eliminating all the health benefits?
Ashley Adamant
That is a good question and one I honestly don’t have the answer to, unfortunately.
marie
You say that drying in the sun or without the use of an oven or dehydrator is not recommended because the hulls turn to mush. I have *only* dried them in the sun or on window screens out of the sun and have *never* had mush. If it has rained soon before you pick them up off the ground, remove the husks as soon as possible and break them apart a bit so that there is more surface area. As with drying anything, airflow is key to keep the mold away. I monitor – turn and further break down the hulls by hand then by walking over a pillowcase full of them (then dump them back out on the window screen hung from rafters) – as they dry down.
You may also notice all of the bugs leaving your hulls at this point so it’s a good idea to keep them outside where the bugs can escape. Walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa) and walnut curculio (Conotrachelus retentus) may be what’s wanting an escape route.
I use the hulls for dye, tincture and in oil. I ferment them in water for dye and have had a dye pot going now (July 20) since autumn 2019 and no mold or any other growth is present. Evidence of the antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, I’d say as other dye baths (acorn shells) go funky if not kept very cool.
Admin
Wow, awesome! I’ll have to try your method next time. Thank you!
Christine McCarthy
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT USING IT FOR HAIR DYE, I GUESS THE POWDER. WONDERING TOO ABOUT IT BEING TOXIC FROM THE IODINE
Cassandre
Hello Everyone,
“Montpelier”, James Madison’s family home in northern Virginia has many Black Walnut trees. They have been dropping their nuts for days now. (Late September 2020) Anyone in the area should stop to gather the husks, pronto. Bring bags and tour masks. You won’t be disappointed! I would suggest checking in with the office first. The staff was not interested in a Black Walnut harvest for themselves….too much work?
Ashley Adamant
Awesome, good to know! Thank you so much for the heads up.
I’ve found that a lot of public land and museum-type spaces love it when people come to pick the walnuts, butternuts, and hickory nuts from their land. Keeps the traditions alive, and is one less thing for their landscape people to clean up.
Sam
Thank you for your great write up! I’m in the middle of my walnut harvest here in Tennessee and excited for the finished products I’ll have after (tincture, hull powder for dye, and nut meat). I began the hull drying process in the oven but a family member had a severe respiratory reaction to that method even while in another room. I did not experience any problems personally. I immediately switched to sun / air drying instead but this is obviously a longer process. I’m wondering if you have heard of reactions to the oven drying method? Thanks in advance!
Ashley Adamant
That’s a good question, but honestly, no I’ve never heard of that. I guess it could happen with anything, as you’re heating it volatile compounds are being released and anyone could be sensitive to just about anything. I’d say if they had that reaction though, they probably shouldn’t eat black walnuts or use the extract/powder.