Black Walnut Hulls C/S

Black walnut trees, native to the United States, produce an abundance of round, baseball-sized fruits. Within each fruit is an edible walnut kernel protected by a hard shell and a thick, spongy layer known as the hull.

The hulls have a distinct smell — earthy and medicinal with a citrus overtone — and change color from green to dark brown or black when exposed to the air. They produce a warm brown stain that makes a natural hair dye, textile dye, wood stain, or ink for calligraphy or painting.

Naturally anti-fungal and antibacterial, black walnut hulls are rich in tannins and contain juglone, a chemical that suppresses the growth and development of other plants. They are also one of the few land plants rich in iodine, an antiseptic and an essential mineral for thyroid health.

As a tea or tincture, black walnut hulls are often used to control internal parasites in humans and some livestock animals. A salve of black walnut hulls may also be used to treat stubborn skin conditions like athlete’s foot. Black walnut should not be used by anyone with a nut allergy.