Herbal Profile: Black Walnut

Black Walnut trees are hard to miss and have been used for both healing and magick for millennia. In the summer their hard green fruit hide amongst the leaves and one of the first signs of Autumn are when these fruit beginning falling to the ground offering up their delicious magic. In ancient times witches in Italy would dance under the walnut trees to perform certain secret rites and rituals.

Identification You can often identify Black Walnut by a noted lack of vegetation around the base of the tree, Black Walnut is an allelopathic plant which means it puts biochemicals into the soil it grows in, impacting all the plants around it. In the case of Black Walnut it excretes a biochemical called juglone that interferes with the growth of other plants nearby.

Medicinal Uses Black Walnut has been used for thousands of years as a way to fight parasites, protect the heart, fight viral and fungal infections, and treat skin blemishes. A relatively recent study done by a team from Johns Hopkins found that Black Walnut is effective at helping the body fight HIV. You can read more about this study here. Thanks to the biochemicals in Black Walnuts, they also aid in digestion and have a laxative effect.

Household Uses The hulls of Black Walnuts are green throughout the summer but after they fall off the tree they begin to darken and will turn black, giving the tree it’s common name. This hull is where we find all our household uses. The hulls have been used by many indigenous peoples as dyes, stains, and ink. Today many people use the hulls to create an all natural black hair color.

Culinary Uses The most common culinary use for Black Walnuts is to use them in baking; they are a delicious addition to baked goods like muffins, cakes, and breads. They make a wonderfully unique ice cream and fudge. Another fun use for the walnuts is to create extract to use in your own culinary creations or gift to the bakers in your life.

Magickal Uses Black Walnuts have long been associated with the Sun and Fire elements. Use Black Walnuts anytime you want to work a spell or ritual to increase health, intuition, psychic abilities, prosperity, or fertility. I

n Appalachia a traditional magickal use of Black Walnuts is a simple charm, carrying a walnut in your pocket will bring you good luck.

Be sure you check back for our next Herbal Profile. Get out there, get wild, be safe, and spend some time connecting with Black Walnut this month!