Black Walnut Leaf Profile

Also known as

Juglans nigra, Akschota, ructus Cortex, Juglans, Juglandis, Juglandis Folium, Juglans regia, Nogal, Walnut, Walnut Fruit, Walnut Hull, Walnut Leaf.

Introduction

The black walnut is native tree of North America, but their history goes back quite a ways in antiquity. The genus name, juglans, is derived from two Latin words; lupiter, meaning Jupiter, and glans, meaning acorn. The literal translation is therefore "Jupiter's nuts". According to a Chaldean clay tablet, walnut groves were known to be in the hanging gardens of Babylon. Pliny the Elder (ca.23-79 C.E.) reported cultivation in Italy from trees that had been transported from countries farther east. In ancient Persia, only royalty were supposed to eat them, and they were even referred to as the "royal walnut". In America, there is archeological evidence that they were consumed and used by the Native Americans as far back as 2000 B.C.E. Black walnuts are smaller, harder, and more pungent than the English walnuts sold in grocery stores. The hulls without the meaty kernels inside are used in herbal medicine. Black walnut trees exude a sap that discourages growth of competing plants over their roots.

Constituents

Tannins.

Parts Used

Dried leaf.

Typical Preparations

Washes, compresses, and baths.

Summary

Precautions

None known, however its long term use is not recommended.