Green-hulled black walnuts
Tinctures are made with an alcohol-and-water mixture as the solvent. Simply put, an herb is soaked in the solvent for a specified time, and a solution is the result. The solution is then pressed, yielding the tincture. Black Walnut tincture is a valuable herbal remedy for many ailments, and moderately simple to make.
In the case of black walnut tincture, the green hull of the black walnut holds within it the most juglone (the desired herbal ingredient). It is important to recognize that the green hull of the black walnut is necessary in order to craft an effective tincture.
Instructions
Making the Tincture
1. Place walnuts in the quart jar. (You can pick the walnuts from the tree yourself in the fall, when their hulls are green.)
2. Pour vodka over the walnuts, being sure to completely immerse them. Place lid on jar.
Store in a cool, dark place (such as under the sink or in a closet).
3. Wait seven to 10 days, shaking gently every day or two.
4. Remove lid. Over a large mixing bowl pour the solvent through the sieve and firmly press (with a spoon or gloved hand) the softened hulls to extract all the liquid.
5. Discard the solids. The remaining liquid is your tincture. The color should be a very dark green.
6. Pour into clean bottles, cap and store in a cool dark place.
Tags: black walnut, cool dark, cool dark place, dark place, green hull
