What Are the Benefits of Black Walnut Tincture for Animals?

All types of animals, including humans, are susceptible to parasite infection. Black walnut is a highly effective natural anti-parasitic which people have used traditionally for hundreds of years, in themselves and animals alike. However, it is also a plant known for its toxicity, and you should use it with extreme caution. Some herbal preparations of black walnut also include alcohol, which might also be problematic when administered to animals.

Black Walnut Facts

• The black walnut tree (juglans nigra) is a hardwood tree native to North America. Traditional folk medicine practitioners have long been aware of the anti-parasitic properties of black walnut, as documented in Daniel Moerman's book "Native American Ethnobotany." It is also well known for its toxicity. Gardeners and farmers know the black walnut for its herbicidal properties that kill many other varieties of plant that attempt to grow too close.

Tincture

• Herbalists harvest black walnut hulls for use in preparations, which are available loose in powdered form, in capsules, as a liquid extract or as a tincture. They make tinctures by infusing the dried or fresh plant in alcohol. After a period of weeks they drain the herb-infused alcohol which is now a potent form of herbal medicine, said to remain potent and stable for up to two years.

Herbal Alternatives

• Since it is notoriously difficult to administer pills to animals, the advantage of using a tincture or other liquid preparation is that you can use a dropper to get it into the animal's mouth or feed with little problem. Those pet owners who dislike chemical preparations may prefer the idea of administering natural herbal remedies to their animals, but they should note that herbal remedies are no more likely to be safe and non-toxic than chemical remedies. Furthermore, herbal remedies are not always subject to the same quality controls as commercial pharmaceuticals.

Toxicity

• The toxicity of black walnut is very well documented. Studies at the University of Illinois have shown it to be toxic to horses, leading to the painful and even fatal disease laminitis. Susan G. Wynn and Barbara Fougere, in their 2007 book 'Veterinary Herbal Medicine," state that while black walnut is a popular choice for the eradication of heartworms in dogs, there is as yet no clinical data to support its use. They also state that the substance is shown to be toxic in dogs, and that long term use is not advised.

Safety Considerations

• The second important safety consideration in terms of using a tincture is that many animals cannot tolerate alcohol. However, veterinary herbalists indicate that an alcoholic tincture is acceptable so long as it's well diluted with water. The herbalist Gregory L. Tilford advises that although diluted alcoholic tinctures may cause no adverse effects in animal patients, he would recommend a tincture made from vegetable glycerine, which is both sweet to the taste and completely safe.