Due to a shortage of black walnut raw material from the recent harvest out of the USA, owing in part to limited pickers, we would like to provide you with some alternative herbs.
Traditionally black walnut leaf was used as a laxative and vermifuge to help remove intestinal pinworms and threadworms. As an alterative is also useful in the treatment of skin diseases such as acne, cold sores, warts, eczema, psoriasis and ulcers which do not heal quickly. Black walnut is a cousin to butternut (Juglans cinerea), or white walnut, which has similar actions and the same procurement issues.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Clove is typically used alongside black walnut and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) to take care of parasite eggs which can hatch later and cause re-infection.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic is an effective remedy against bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections. In the digestive tract it has been found that garlic will support the development of the natural bacterial flora whilst killing pathogenic organisms.
Nigella (Nigella sativa): While the panacea herb, nigella, might not be the first herb to think of as a substitute for black walnut it has been used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of disorders, diseases and conditions relating to the digestive tract and liver function. A tincture prepared from the seeds has been used in the treatment of worms and skin eruptions.
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): Wormwood is a potent bitter herb used, as the name suggests, to expel intestinal worms. It promotes the appetite and enhances digestion by stimulating peristalsis and increasing the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile from the liver and gallbladder. It is an excellent remedy for dyspeptic complaints including stomach disorders, gastritis, liver and gallbladder ailments. It also has a general tonic action.
Yellow dock (Rumex crispus): Yellow dock has a long history of use for stimulating liver function. It has a powerful cleansing and cooling effect on the body making it an excellent remedy for inflammatory skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. The bowel cleansing action of yellow dock is very mild, and it is generally considered one of the safest herbs to use long term when the liver and bowel need some stimulation. It is a mild version of cascara sagrada (Frangula purshiana) or rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), which could also be used as substitutes for black walnut.
References
SPetre A. Black Walnuts: A Nutritious Nut Reviewed. Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company c2005-2022 (updated 29 March 2019; accessed 21 Nov 2022). Available from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/black-walnut#uses
Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester: Healing Arts Press. 2003. p. 526
Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, Khan SA, Najmi AK, Siddique NA, Damanhouri ZA, Anwar F. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 May;3(5):337-52. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1. PMID: 23646296; PMCID: PMC3642442.
Wood M. The Book of Herbal Wisdom. California:North Atlantic Books. 1997.
McIntyre A. The Complete Woman’s Herbal. Gai Books Limited:London. 1994. p. 128
Mills S. The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism. Thorsons:London. 1994. p.444
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