Black walnut, or Juglans Nigra (also known as English and Persian walnut), is well-known to be a toxic plant, killing most other plants that try to grow within its shade. This tall, deciduous hardwood tress grows to around 30m (100ft) tall in Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. And yet its active Naphthaquinone chemicals – juglone, juglandin and juglandic acid – have led to the walnut being used as a natural medicine in Asia, Europe and the Americas – largely because of its extraordinary "killing power."
Black Walnut's Anti-bacterial Properties
Black walnut's uses as a herbal medicine are extremely wide, ranging from eradicating worm infestations (tapeworm and ringworm) in the intestines to acting as a cure for chronic skin conditions such as eczema, herpes and psoriasis. Dr. Christopher, the renowned herbalist, was able to cure an "incurable" case of impetigo in an American soldier during World War II using a black walnut tincture, with which he claimed also to have cured cases of scrofula, acne, dandruff and even shingles.
Black walnut has been found to have strong antimicrobial properties (1), proven to be effective against Trichophyton mentagrophtes, B. subtilis, B. anthracis, B. cereus and B. anthracoides. In one 1968 study, compounds isolated from the plant were found to slow tumor growth rate in mice. (2)
Hypothyroidism and Black Walnut
Black walnut is also rich in minerals, especially manganese, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron – and most of all, iodine. It is by far the richest plant source of iodine, and so has been used for centuries to help in conditions of hypothyroidism, where the body is producing too little thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism causes symptoms that reveal the body's slowing metabolism, including depression, constipation, weight gain and constant fatigue.
Hashimoto's Disease and Black Walnut Tincture
But is it useful for someone with Hashimoto's, the auto-immune form of thyoid disease? Typically someone with Hashimoto's experiences a bewildering fluctuation between hyper- and hypo-thyroidism, and has to maintain a careful balance, often by following a controlled diet and making significant lifestyle changes. Hyperthyroidism lies at the opposite extreme from hypothyroidism, and in this state people experience a significant "speeding up" of the system, including rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, tremors, anxiety and weight loss. Certain foods can help balance the system in cases of Hashimoto's, but others that are commonly used in cases of hypothyroidism – notably bladderwrack and kelp seaweeds – are dangerous in cases of Hashimoto's, as their iodine content is so high they can cause a high degree of thyroid inflammation and bring on a short-lived spell of hyperthyroidism.
For this reason, black walnut might seem to represent an illogical option for someone with Hashimoto's. On the other hand, there is now a growing consensus that auto-immune conditions, including Hashimoto's disease, may have a bacterial cause or element and for this reason, the "double-whammy" of iodine and intense bactericidal action of black walnut may be worth considering as a treatment. Many herbalists supply black walnut tincture either pure, or mixed with Pau d'arco and barberry root bark, to support the immune system while undergoing treatment. However, note that if you suffer from Hashimoto's, herbalists caution that any black walnut tincture should be taken one drop at a time, to establish safe levels. Black walnut tincture should never be taken by anyone pregnant or breast-feeding.
Find out The Truth About Hashimoto's Disease
References:
- Bhargava, U.C., B. Wesfall & D. Siehr. Preliminary pharmacology of ellagic acid from juglans nigra (black walnut). Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 57(10), 1728-1732, 1968.
- Bhargava, U.C. & B. Westfall. Antitumor activity of juglans nigra (black walnut) extractives. J Of Pharm Sci, 57(10), 1674-1677, 1968.
Sarah Tomley - Sarah is an editor and writer who has been working in the UK publishing industry for over 18 years. She has an honours degree in ...
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