Black Walnut Tincture
Black walnut tincture is an astringent, tannic, and cleansing herbal remedy for the digestive system and body. It’s often used to treat fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections. In herbal tradition, it is also used to treat thyroid disorders. This helpful remedy is easy to make at home and uses the green hulls that would normally be a waste product from black walnuts.
Equipment
- Mason jar or similar glass container with a tight-fitting lid
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer for straining
- Dark glass storage bottle for the finished tincture
- Optional: Gloves (the walnut hulls can stain your hands)
Ingredients
- Fresh green walnut hulls enough to fill about 1/2 to 3/4 of your jar
- High-proof alcohol such as vodka, rum, or brandy—at least 60 proof or 30% ABV
Instructions
- For this tincture, you'll need the green outer husks of fresh black walnuts. When gathering, be sure to wear gloves to avoid staining your hands. You'll want the hulls to be green and unripe, ideally gathered in late summer or early fall when they are fresh and intact. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove the husks from the nuts. If the nuts are still attached, simply slice open the husk to access the green outer layer.
- Once you've collected your hulls, chop them into smaller pieces to help with extraction. Fill a clean mason jar about halfway with the chopped green walnut hulls (fresh is best for potency). You can adjust the amount based on how much tincture you want to make. The hulls should fill about 1/2 to 3/4 of the jar, leaving room for the alcohol.
- Pour your high-proof alcohol over the green walnut hulls, ensuring they are completely submerged. Use enough alcohol to cover the plant material by at least an inch or more. If necessary, add more alcohol to keep the hulls submerged throughout the extraction process.
- Tightly screw the lid onto the jar and give it a gentle shake to mix the contents. Store the jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for the next 4 to 6 weeks. The tincture will need time to extract the medicinal properties from the walnut hulls.
- Every couple of days, shake the jar gently to ensure the walnut hulls stay mixed with the alcohol and remain submerged. Fresh plant material, especially something fibrous like walnut hulls, may try to float. Keep the hulls pressed down or add more alcohol if necessary to keep them fully covered.
- After 4 to 6 weeks, it’s time to strain the tincture. Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth in a funnel and position it over a clean dark glass bottle. Pour the tincture through the strainer, pressing the walnut hulls to extract all the liquid. Discard the spent plant material, as its job is now done.
- Label your tincture bottle with the contents, date of preparation, and any important usage instructions. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place, away from heat and sunlight. Black walnut tincture can last for several years if stored properly.
Notes
Black walnut tincture, made from the green hulls of fresh black walnuts, is a powerful herbal remedy known for its use both internally (for digestive support, parasites, and iodine supplementation) and externally (for wound care, parasites, and topical iodine application).
You can use dried black walnut powder instead of fresh hulls if you don't have any trees nearby (or out of season). Herbal supply stores often sell dried black walnut powder for tincture making, and to make a herbal antifungal salve.
Most people use vodka as the base alcohol because of its neutral flavor, but you can also experiment with rum or brandy for different flavor profiles. The key is to ensure the alcohol is at least 60-proof (30% alcohol by volume) to properly preserve the tincture.
Internal Use
Black walnut hull tincture is commonly used internally for parasite cleansing and as an iodine supplement. The recommended dosage can vary, but generally, it’s taken in small amounts (typically 1-2 drops in a glass of water, or as directed by a healthcare provider). Be cautious with dosage, as black walnut hull can be potent.External Use
Externally, this tincture can be applied to wounds, skin conditions, or used to help with topical iodine supplementation. For topical use, simply apply a small amount to a cotton ball and gently dab it on the affected area.Safety Note
While black walnut tincture is a powerful remedy, it should be used with care, particularly for internal use. It may not be suitable for everyone, and excessive use can cause side effects. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using it, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have existing health conditions.Alcohol-Free Glycerite Option
If you prefer an alcohol-free tincture, you can create a glycerite using vegetable glycerin. To make a black walnut glycerite, fill your jar with dried black walnut hulls and cover them with a mixture of 3 parts glycerin to 1 part water. Shake daily for 4 to 6 weeks, then strain as you would for an alcohol-based tincture. This glycerite can be used in the same way as the alcohol tincture for internal and external applications.Yield
The final yield of tincture will vary depending on how tightly you pack your jar and the type of plant material used. Expect to get about the same amount of tincture as the alcohol you initially add if using fresh black walnut hulls. Dried hulls may absorb some of the alcohol, so you’ll likely end up with slightly less than the alcohol you started with. Typically, for a quart jar, you will need about 2-3 cups of alcohol, and for a pint jar, about 1 to 1.5 cups. Be sure to keep the walnut hulls submerged at all times to ensure the extraction process is as effective as possible. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!