Black Walnut Hull / Absinthe

Black Walnut is also known as English Walnut. The genus, Juglans or Jovis glans is derived from Latin, meaning "Jupiter's nut," another common name describing the Walnut, as mythology tells us that the gods who resided on earth lived on Walnuts. The name Walnut is partially derived from Teutonic words, with the Germans calling it wallnuss. Because Walnuts are similar to the shape of the human head, they were historically thought to benefit the brain. Furthermore, in Asian medicine, Black Walnuts were regarded as a kidney tonic, following the logic that they consider the brain to be governed by the kidneys. Walnuts have also been carried by some cultures as a charm for fertility. Black Walnut Bark, including the kernel and the green hull, have been used by the Asians to expel various kinds of intestinal worms, as well as by some American Indian tribes. A substance taken to expel or control parasites (most often referred to as worms) is technically called a "vermifuge." The fruit, leaves and bark of the Black Walnut tree offer many other benefits. Taken internally, Black Walnut helps relieves constipation and is also useful against fungal and parasitic infections. It may also help eliminate warts, which are troublesome growths caused by viruses. Rubbed on the skin, Black Walnut extract is reputed to be beneficial for eczema, herpes, psoriasis and skin parasites. External applications have also been known to kill ringworm. The Chinese use it to kill tapeworms with extremely good success. The high tannin content is primarily responsible for its anthelmintic property, although other constituents such as juglandin, juglone and juglandic acid may also be involved. It is said that Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. The brown stain found in the green husk contains organic iodine which has antiseptic and healing properties. Black Walnut is said to have the ability to fight against fungal infections and acts with an antiseptic property to help fight bacterial infection. Black Walnut has also been used to balance sugar levels and burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials.

Absinthe is also known by the names Green Ginger, Southernwood, Old Woman, Wormwood and Artemisia. Native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia, this herb is now cultivated in the United States and elsewhere. The plant grows from two to four feet in height, and the part of this plant used medicinally is the above-ground portion. Absinthe's name is obviously derived from its medicinal property of expelling intestinal worms for which it has been well known since ancient times. An Egyptian papyrus dated 1,600 years before Christ describes this bitter herb in detail. Legend has it that this plant first sprang up on the impressions that marked the serpent's tail as he slithered his way out of the Garden of Eden. Even today, it is one of the bitterest herbs known. Its common English name, wormwood, obviously, is derived from its ability to act as a wormer in children and animals. Absinthe was used in granaries to drive away weevils and insects, and it was also used as a strewing herb to drive away fleas. In traditional folk medicine, Absinthe preparations were used internally for gastric insufficiency, intestinal atonia, gastritis, stomach ache, liver disorders, bloating, anemia, irregular menstruation, intermittent fever, loss of appetite and worm infestations. When used in small amounts, the constituent, thujone, works as a brain stimulant. Absinthe is perhaps best known because of the use of its oil to prepare certain alcoholic beverages, most notably vermouth and absinthe, popular in the late 1880s and early 1900s.