Black Walnut for Parasites

Many herbalists and natural health practitioners say black walnut extract is an effective agent in eliminating parasitic infections, including worm infections and fungal infections such as candida. Parasites can afflict any living organism and are extremely common among humans and animals. Care is advised, however, because black walnut extract has not been clinically trialed for use in humans and contains known toxins.

Black Walnut Tree

• The deciduous black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) is native to North America, although it has been naturalized elsewhere in the world. It can grow up to 40 feet in height and is cultivated chiefly for its walnuts, which are used in food preparation. The tree's leaves and especially the walnut hulls have long been used in herbal medicine and recognized for their anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties. In fact, black walnut is also known for its toxicity to other lifeforms; it is known to kill certain other plants that otherwise would grow in close proximity. Knowledge of this dates at least to Roman times, when Pliny noted the selective herbicidal qualities of walnut trees. Its properties are well-known to gardeners, too.

Juglone and Plumbagin

• All plants of the Juglandaceae family, including hickory and the English walnut, contain the chemical compound juglone. The black walnut tree, however, contains particularly high levels of the compound, which is concentrated in leaves, roots, husks and bark of the black walnut tree, although not in the nuts themselves. Juglone is toxic to many species of animals and plants, including parasites. Plumbagin, another compound found in the black walnut tree, also has been shown to have toxic effects.

Candida

• Folk medicine has long used freshly macerated black walnut hulls in the treatment of fungal skin infection such as ringworm. A 1990 study by the University of Mississippi found that juglone derived from black walnut has anti-fungal properties and is at least as effective as commercial anti-fungal treatments. A 2005 Korean study showed that chemicals derived from black walnut were potent anti-fungal and anti-microbial agents against candida.

Worms

• A 1991 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that both juglone and plumbagin derived from black walnut hulls are highly effective in inhibiting the development of parasitic worms, worm larvae and eggs. Clinical trials confirm that topical application of black walnut is at least as effective against ringworm as commercial treatments. Studies also showed, however, that black walnut is toxic to many species of non-parasitic animals, particularly horses. In their 2007 book "Veterinary Herbal Medicine," Susan G. Wynn and Barbara Fougere report that while black walnut is a popular choice for the elimination of canine heartworms, the substance has been found to be toxic in dogs, and its long-term use is not advised.

Considerations

• While folk medicine and scientific evidence confirms that black walnut is effective against parasitic worm and fungal infections, and anecdotal evidence suggests that internal use is also effective against intestinal worms and candida, Drugs.com reports that no verifiable human trials involving black walnut have been carried out. So extreme care should be taken regarding black walnut use. Black walnut contains known toxins and is shown to be dangerous to pregnant women, dogs and horses.