Evidence supporting the use of: Black walnut
For the health condition: Staph Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) hulls and extracts have a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, primarily for their purported antimicrobial properties. In North American folk medicine, black walnut has been used topically and internally to address a variety of infections, including those of the skin, and was sometimes recommended for boils or abscesses, which can be caused by Staphylococcus species. The active compound juglone is thought to have antimicrobial activity, and black walnut hulls are rich in tannins, which also have mild antibacterial effects. However, while there is some in vitro data suggesting that extracts of black walnut may inhibit certain bacteria, robust clinical evidence—especially regarding effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus infections in humans—is lacking. No well-controlled human trials support the use of black walnut for treating Staph infections, and its use for this purpose is not endorsed by modern medical guidelines. Most support for this use is thus rooted in traditional herbal practices rather than scientific validation. The evidence rating is low, reflecting the absence of clinical proof and reliance on historical use and limited laboratory studies. Caution is advised, as black walnut preparations can be irritating to the skin and are not without risk.

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