Among herbal remedies for fungal and parasitic infections, black walnut tincture is one of the most effective. When combined with other herbs such as wormwood and cloves, this triple combination knocks out most intestinal parasites.
Uses of Black Walnut Tincture
Black walnut tincture is made from the hulls and leaves of the black walnut tree. Gardeners know the black walnut tree for its unique properties. If you have a black walnut tree, you may notice that it's nearly impossible to get flowers or grass to grow well underneath the tree. That's not necessarily because of it's thick canopy of leaves or the roots near the surface.
Black walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone. Juglone is toxic to many plants and animals. It's important, for example, to keep horses away from areas planted with black walnut, as exposure to black walnut wood has been known to cause the hoof disease laminitis.
Parasite Infections
Black walnut tincture is often uses by herbalists to treat parasite infections. Parasites are creatures that attach themselves to a host to feed. While many people understand that parasites are common in their pets, it's harder to imagine that parasites can be found inside people. Yet millions of people annually are infected by parasites. Common parasitic infections include pinworms, tapeworms, and many other types of worms. According to the Natural Vitality Center, over 100 species of worms may infect humans. Typical symptoms include unexplained constipation, diarrhea, anal itching, joint pain and many other symptoms.
If you suspect a parasite infection, see your doctor. He or she may request a stool sample for microscopic evaluation. Other physicians will simply treat suspected worm infections with medications. You can use herbal remedies such as black walnut and others to treat suspected parasite infections too.
Black walnut tincture has few side effects, but to be on the safe side, children and pregnant women should avoid using herbal remedies unless directed by a qualified health care provider. An herbalist should also be consulted if you have any chronic health conditions.
To use black walnut, purchase a tincture and take according to directions. Many products sold as herbal colon cleanse products are actually parasite cleansing products and contain a blend of black walnut, wormwood and cloves. Be sure to read package directions carefully and take only as indicated.
Fungal Infections
Black walnut is also recommended as a topical treatment for fungal infections of the skin. According to Herbal Legacy, black walnut is useful in treating athlete's foot, dandruff and skin infections. It is recommend as a boil treatment, too.
Sore Throat
Lynn' Newman, the herbalist featured in the interview Herbal Treatment for Arthritis, also recommends using black walnut tincture mixed with water as a throat gargle for sore throats. Given black walnut's long history as an antiseptic, this make sense. Along with elderberry tincture, you may want to have black walnut around in time for cold and flu season.
Cautions and Contraindications
Black walnut has few cautions and contraindications. If you suffer from chronic illness or are pregnant, you should not use herbal remedies unless under the supervision of an herbalist, holistic practitioner or a trained medical professional. If you're using black walnut to clear up a skin condition or if you suspect parasites and the problem doesn't go away, do seek medical treatment; a doctor can rule out other medical conditions with similar symptoms.
Although it's horrible to think about such unpleasant things as parasite infections, parasites are everywhere, and it's no reflection on anyone's health habits or sanitation if they pick up an infection. It's important to treat a potential parasite infection as quickly as possible, however, to avoid secondary infections caused by scratching itchy areas or other complications.
