Cracking & Storing Black Walnuts
Black walnuts are too tough to be cracked with any old normal nutcracker! Try using a hammer, back of a hatchet, or heavy rock to crack them open, then use a nutpick to remove the nutmeat inside.
Odds are, you’re not going to get full halves your walnuts, but instead lots of pieces. Don’t worry, they’ll still taste perfectly fine!
Once the nutmeat is removed from the shell, collect them up into a container, label with the date, and freeze. Freezing is the best way to get the longest period of use out of your shelled black walnuts, and will help keep the looming specter of rancidity- the end point of all uneaten nuts- at bay.
From here, use them as you see fit! Eat them plain, roast them, toss a handful into your banana bread, into muffins, candy them… However you so desire to use them, enjoy your foraged feast!
Just a quick note: If you’re allergic to tree nuts, you really shouldn’t be eating black walnuts. Additionally, those with allergies to tree nuts should not use black walnut hull internally or externally. Avoid internal use if pregnant or nursing.But before you partake…
Uses for Black Walnut Hulls & Leaves
Black walnuts aren’t just for food! The leaves and hulls contain compounds that are useful for natural home remedy purposes too!
Benefits of Black Walnuts
The hulls of black walnuts have antifungal properties and inhibit bacterial growth, so they’re often used to treat extra-tough skin problems.
Black walnut is also used in some livestock animals as a natural dewormer, and in humans for internal parasites.
The nut meat itself (the part of the black walnut that you eat), is nutritious and a natural food to add to a heart-healthy diet!
Video: Foraging Black Walnuts Slideshow
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Black Walnut Oil & Salve
Use the green hulls to create an easy but effective salve that may be helpful for athlete’s foot, toenail infections, psoriasis, ringworm, and other skin ailments.
You can find our Black Walnut Salve Recipe at our sister site, The Nerdy Farm Wife.
If you have a mystery skin problem and aren’t allergic to nuts – black walnut salve is always worth a try!
How to Make Black Walnut Hull Tincture
Black Walnut Tincture is used externally to spot treat warts, psoriasis, impetigo, or fungal infection/rashes. It’s also considered a natural source of iodine, so some apply it daily to their skin for potential thyroid benefits.
Others use the tincture internally for parasites, especially helpful if traveling to an area with bad water. In his book, The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II, herbalist Michael Moore recommends a low dose of 1 to 3 drops, 1 to 3 times per day. Don’t take for extended times or if pregnant.
To make black walnut tincture:
- Fill a jar 1/2 way with broken up or chopped pieces of green black walnut hulls (avoid mushy blackened parts with worms).
- Next, fill the remainder of the jar with 40 to 50% (80 to 100 proof) vodka.
- Infuse for 4 to 6 weeks, strain.
- Label and store in a cool dark spot for 1 to 2 years.
Black Walnut Leaf Infusion
If hulls aren’t available, or you need something fast, try using the leaf instead. Use walnut leaf infusion similar to a wound wash or dilute iodine wash. It can also be used on irritated or inflamed areas.
To make black walnut leaf infusion:
- Place 1/4 cup chopped fresh leaves in a small saucepan.
- Cover with 3/4 cup water, bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool, while still covered, for 5 minutes.
- Makes about 4 ounces of infusion.
- Freeze in ice trays for future use (1 oz per cube = 4 cubes).
Poultice from Fresh Leaves
Black walnut leaves can be used to create a poultice while you’re out and about hiking. Simply mash or chew up some leaves and apply to bug bites, scrapes, or to stop minor bleeding.
We’ve also successfully eased a sore tooth with a leaf poultice placed right beside the offending tooth.
Our articles are for information and idea-sharing only. While we aim for 100% accuracy, it is solely up to the reader to provide proper identification. Be sure to seek out local foraging classes and plant walks, and invest in mushroom and foraging guides suitable for the area you live in, since some wild foods are poisonous, or may have adverse effect.
