Before I continue with the details on how to tincture your own black walnut, a word of caution is in order. If you have a nut allergy, do not try to make this tincture or use it. Though the actual nut is not being used, the walnut’s hull is. There is no need to take any chance on this one.
However, if you are not allergic and you’re looking for a simple recipe for a homemade black walnut tincture, what you need is the information in this post. If you want this tincture to help get rid of intestinal parasites or some of the many other benefits we’ll discuss, it’s a simple recipe to prepare in advance. This also has a long shelf-life, when properly stored.
Later in the article, we’ll get into all of this. But, let’s go over what you need first.
The Supplies
Most of these supplies are easy to find; if you don’t already have them on hand. Here is what you will need:
- Black walnuts; whole and still in the hull
- 80 proof vodka
- Olive Oil
- Lemon juice
- Quart canning jar with lid
- Gloves
Besides the above, you’ll want at least one small, dark-colored glass bottle with a dropper, and a sharp knife as well.
It’s best to have the freshest you can find when choosing the black walnuts. Actually, if you can get them before they fall off the tree, if they are still very green, that is the best option.
So, I ‘m making this batch with a more mature range of black walnut hulls, rather than waiting until spring. The final tint might not be as powerful; but it’s still successful – and at least you’ll see the process; so when you want to do it yourself, you can be ready.
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The Recipe and Process
When all your supplies have been gathered, make sure to wear your gloves. If you chose not to wear them, be prepared for weeks of staining on your palms. Also, be careful with anything else that comes into contact with these hulls and shells before, during and after the process. You can open the green hull with only a knife. Which leaves the real nuts for other uses.
Anyway, black walnut tincture is very simple to make:
1. Fill a quart canning jar about ⅔ full of vodka.
2. Cut the walnut hulls, approximately 6-7 of them, and place in the jar.
3. Pour about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in to help preserve the tincture.
4. Pour about ¼ cup of olive oil in to help create a barrier from oxidation over time.
5. Make sure the top of the hulls are covered with the vodka, lemon juice, and olive oil mix.
6. Cap the filled jar, without stirring the mix, then place in the refrigerator.
The tincture is ready to use anywhere from as quickly as a couple of hours, to as long as 4-6 weeks of sitting. The longer it steeps, the more powerful it will be for you.
The other factor in its effectiveness and strength is the freshness of the back walnut. The sooner you get it off the ground or (better yet) picked from a tree, the more effective the tincture.
7. Once the tincture is ready to use, strain the mix to remove the hulls and excess debris.
Pour the liquid into small dark colored bottles that have droppers. The shelf-life depends on the freshness of the hulls used. It could last for years, but it will be more effective in the earlier stages.
Uses for the Black Walnut Tincture
Historically, black walnut tincture was used for its anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-helmintic (killing parasites) traits. Additional uses include: fending off and avoiding various pathogens and intestinal parasites.
- Reducing excessive sweating
- Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels
- Aiding in digestion
- Slowing down heavy menstrual bleeding
- Relieving heartburn; colic; diarrhea; and flatulence
- Balances blood sugar levels
- Battles heart disease
- Helps with skin conditions such as acne; boils; and warts
So as you can see, black walnut tincture goes well beyond helping with intestinal parasites. But, how do you use it? Good question!
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How to Use the Black Walnut Tincture
Now that you know how to make it, and what to use it for, you may wonder how to use this odd-looking mix.
Use it as a cleanse of intestinal parasites, the dropper mentioned earlier comes in handy. Drop 20 tincture drops into a glass of tea, and drink 3 times a day until you feel better. To give you an idea how long this should last; a 2 oz bottle; should hold about 60 of these servings. in.
As a topical aid for skin conditions, use a cotton swab dipped in the tincture and dab on the area in question. However just a word of caution, this will stain the skin for a while and everything else that it touches.
And another way to use it would be for athlete’s foot. Simply apply a dropper full of tincture to a gallon of warm water in a tiny tub, and use it as a soaked foot. This could also stain, but for certain skin conditions, it is much more diluted than the dose mentioned above.
Whatever ailment you’re looking for help, hopefully this black walnut tincture will help you find relief soon!
