How To Make A Black Walnut Tincture (Simple Recipe)

Black walnut husks have powerful antifungal and antiparasitic properties that can help treat a range of issues. Learn how to make a black walnut tincture using only two ingredients with this simple recipe.

Making a black walnut tincture at home is super simple and only requires fresh, ripe black walnuts, which are the fruit of the black walnut tree. You can make the tincture with the whole walnut or only use the green outer husk (which would leave the nuts perfectly good to eat!). 

Black walnut tincture can be used internally to help get rid of parasites and topically to fight off mild bacterial infections. It is also apparently a strong natural source of iodine due to its high iodine content. It’s a good herbal medicine to have on hand to help address a fungal infection and other similar conditions.

Black walnuts (Juglans nigra) have a long history in traditional medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and early settlers in North America. It was commonly used for its antimicrobial properties to treat skin infections and digestive issues, as well as a natural dye. 

Another tincture that is good for its anti-parasitic properties is wormwood tincture.

Benefits of black walnuts

Antifungal properties – Studies have shown that juglone, a compound found in black walnut hulls, is effective against fungal infections.

Antiparasitic – Black walnuts have been used to treat intestinal parasites and worms, including ringworm.

Rich in cleansing antioxidants – Black walnuts have high levels of polyphenols which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, protecting against chronic diseases.

Support digestive health – It helps with digestive function and may help to treat diarrhea and alleviate constipation and bloating by promoting regular bowel movements (although taking too much can cause vomiting!).

Heart health – Omega-3 fatty acids in black walnuts can improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and contribute to overall cardiovascular health.

It’s not recommended that pregnant or lactating people consume black walnuts because there isn’t enough information about the possible risks it might introduce. It has been used to reduce women’s milk supply so breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking it as well.

How to prepare the walnuts

To make black walnut tincture, we use the green hulls of the black walnuts, which is the green fleshy outer coating that surrounds the black nut. 

If you’re foraging your black walnuts, choose walnuts that have no black spots or bruises. Make sure to use gloves when you cut them open to remove the nut because the liquid will stain your hands (and whatever it touches). This was used as a natural dye historically so prepare your work surface accordingly! You can also make the tincture without removing the nut and simply add the entire walnut into your glass jar to steep in the alcohol.

If you don’t have access to the black walnut trees locally, you can buy these online like I do. 

How to make black walnut hull tincture

Tools

An airtight container with a tight-fitting lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal. NOTE – For this tincture, make sure to use a glass jar that you don’t mind getting permanently stained. 

Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops

A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

A small funnel

Optional – a sharp knife for chopping up fresh black walnuts

Supplies

Fresh or dried black walnut hulls – You can also use whole fresh black walnuts without removing the husks.

80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar. If you’re using fresh black walnuts, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

If you’re using fresh black walnut husks, wear gloves and use a sharp knife to safely remove the nut from the hulls. Cut the fulls in quarters and add them to a sterilised jar. You want the jar to be ¾ of the way full. If you want to avoid the mess, you can also simply add the entire walnut to your glass jar. Fill the jar nearly full if you are doing this.

If you’re using dried black walnut husks, fill the jar about ½ of the way full to leave room for them to absorb the alcohol.

Cover the hulls in alcohol until everything is completely submerged. You can top up the alcohol level after a day or so as the plant material absorbs some of it.

Add a lid and shake the jar to coat everything in alcohol. 

Label and date the jar and leave it sit in a cool (room temperature is fine), dark place for 6-8 weeks. 

Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. NOTE – this tincture will stain your cheesecloth when you strain it off.

Add the tincture to an amber dropper bottle to make it easy to consume.

Label and date the tincture, and it’s ready to use!

How much black walnut tincture to take?

Black walnut tincture can be hard on your system if taken for an extended period of time or in large doses. You can start by taking a small amount and work your way up. It’s recommended that you take 30-60 drops 2-3 times a day in a little water on an empty stomach.

How long does black walnut tincture last?

Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal tinctures, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.

How to use black walnut tinctures

Directly – A great way to quickly access the tincture’s beneficial compounds is by adding the dosage directly under your tongue. Hold it there for 30 seconds and then swallow.

Diluted in liquid – You can add the dosage to a glass of water or tea to dilute the flavour.

Topically – You can dilute the tincture in a carrier oil and apply it to the skin to access its antifungal and antiparasitic properties.

Other ways to use black walnuts

Black walnut salve (to help treat skin infections)

Add black walnut hulls to a glass jar (again, one that you’re willing to toss afterward due to the staining), and cover them with sweet almond oil or coconut oil. Add the glass jar to a saucepan with water, and turn the stove to a low heat. Allow the hulls to sit in the warm water (aim for warm, you don’t want the water to simmer or boil) for 3-4 hours to infuse the oil. Then strain off the infused oil, let it cool, and it’s ready to use.

Black walnut hull powder

Chop up fresh hulls into small pieces and dry them in your oven at a low temperature. Once they’re fully dried, add them to a food processor to grind them into a fine powder. Add 1 ounce of walnut hull powder per quart of water to a saucepan (you can add more powder if you want a darker stain). Use a saucepan that you don’t mind becoming stained! Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for a few minutes. Remove it from the heat and let it cool. Then it’s ready to use!

Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication. 

What to read next

Wormwood Tincture Recipe (How To Make It At Home)

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