NC Native Ethnobotany Project
NC Native Ethnobotany Project
Building Healthier Communities Through Healthier Living
Black Walnut
Scientific Name: Juglan Nigra
Family: Juglandaceae
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Other names: Warnit Tree
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Herbarium Image: Coming Soon
Description
A large, stately, deciduous tree that used to be found throughout the eastern United States, however, becoming harder to find. It thrives in well-drained neutral soils with part shade to full sun. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 15-23 leaflets, pinnately netted and stemless.
Traditional Medicinal Use
Traditionally, however, the Waccamaw Siouan would crack and use the nut placed directly on skin to draw out ringworm. Similarly, the Comanche used the leaves to treat ringworm (1). The Lumbee history have a history of using bark as a fish poison. The Cherokee used the bark in a tea to treat small pox (2)
Health
Black walnut oil has shown activity against oral bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. The active ingredient in black walnut is juglone. (3)
Nutrition
Throughout the country, black walnut is a popular American food and is used in pudding, pies, cakes, as well as eaten alone. The Lumbee use black walnuts in icecream, which tastes very similar to butter pecan icecream.
Citations
1. Boughman, A.L.a.O., L.O. , Herbal Remedies of the Lumbee Indians. 2003, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, Inc.
2. Hamel, P. and Chiltoskey, M. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. 1975, Sylva, N.C.: Herald Publishing Co.
3. Payal Rathi et al. Study on Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Walnut (Juglans nigra) Oil. Int.J.Curr.Res.Chem.Pharma.Sci.1(7):51-55
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