How To Make Tincture From Black Walnuts

You can make tincture from black walnuts by soaking the green hulls in alcohol for several weeks, then straining and bottling the liquid.
 
Black walnut tincture is one of those old-school remedies people have been making for generations, and it’s surprisingly simple to whip up at home.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make tincture from black walnuts, the good news is you don’t need fancy equipment or a lab coat.
 
All you really need is a jar, some high-proof alcohol, and access to black walnut trees.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about making tincture from black walnuts, from gathering the hulls to storing your finished product.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Tincture From Black Walnuts: The Basics

Making tincture from black walnuts is a straightforward process that basically comes down to three things: good hulls, good alcohol, and patience.
 
Here’s what you need to understand before you start.
 

1. Gather Fresh Green Hulls

The best material for a black walnut tincture is the green outer hull, not the hard shell inside.
 
You want to harvest these hulls in late spring or early summer when they’re still bright green and soft enough to dent with your thumbnail.
 
Once the hulls turn brown and mushy, they’ve lost a lot of the compounds you’re after, so timing matters.
 
Wear gloves when you handle them because green black walnut hulls will stain your hands for days, and that stain does not wash off easily.
 

2. Choose the Right Alcohol

You’ll want a high-proof alcohol for this black walnut tincture, ideally something in the 80 to 100 proof range.
 
Vodka works great, but some folks prefer brandy or even pure grain alcohol for a stronger extraction.
 
The alcohol pulls out the beneficial compounds from the hulls while also acting as a preservative so your tincture lasts for years.
 

3. Use the Folk Method or Measure It Out

There are two ways to make tincture from black walnuts: the folk method and the measured method.
 
With the folk method, you simply fill a jar about halfway with chopped hulls and cover them with alcohol.
 
If you prefer precision, weigh your hulls and use a 1:2 ratio of hulls to alcohol by weight.
 
Either way works, so pick whatever feels easier for you.
 

Step-by-Step Process for Making Black Walnut Tincture

Now that you know the basics, here’s the actual process for making tincture from black walnuts.
 

1. Chop the Hulls Into Small Pieces

Roughly chop your green black walnut hulls into small chunks so more surface area is exposed to the alcohol.
 
You don’t need to blend them into a paste, just break them down enough that the alcohol can really get in there.
 

2. Fill Your Jar and Add Alcohol

Place the chopped hulls into a clean glass jar, filling it about halfway to two-thirds full.
 
Pour your alcohol over the hulls until they’re completely covered, with an inch or two of liquid above the top of the plant material.
 

3. Seal and Shake

Cap the jar tightly and give it a good shake.
 
Store it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard, and shake it once a day for the first week or so.
 

4. Let It Sit for Four to Six Weeks

This is where patience comes in.
 
Let your black walnut tincture steep for at least four weeks, though six to eight weeks gives you a stronger extraction.
 
You’ll notice the liquid turning a deep, dark brown as the weeks go by, which means it’s working.
 

5. Strain and Bottle

Once the steeping time is up, strain the liquid through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl.
 
Squeeze the hulls to get every last drop of your black walnut tincture out of them.
 
Pour the strained liquid into dark glass dropper bottles and label them with the date.
 

Tips for Storing and Using Your Black Walnut Tincture

Once you’ve made tincture from black walnuts, proper storage keeps it potent for years.
 

1. Keep It Dark and Cool

Store your black walnut tincture in amber or cobalt blue bottles away from direct sunlight.
 
A cupboard or pantry shelf works perfectly, and there’s no need to refrigerate it.
 

2. Label Everything

Write the date you made it and what’s inside right on the bottle.
 
Trust me, a year from now you’ll be glad you did, especially if you make several tinctures.
 

3. Typical Dosage

Most people take about 1 to 2 droppers of black walnut tincture in water or juice, once or twice a day.
 
That said, always check with a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal remedy, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on medication.
 

4. Shelf Life

When made with high-proof alcohol and stored properly, a black walnut tincture can last five years or longer.
 
If it ever smells off or looks cloudy in a way it didn’t before, just toss it and make a fresh batch.
 

So, How Do You Make Tincture From Black Walnuts?

You make tincture from black walnuts by soaking fresh green hulls in high-proof alcohol for four to six weeks, then straining and bottling the result.
 
It’s a simple, old-fashioned process that anyone can do with a jar, some vodka, and a few good black walnut trees nearby.
 
Just remember to harvest those hulls while they’re still green, keep everything dark and cool during steeping, and label your bottles when you’re done.
 
With a little patience, you’ll have your own homemade black walnut tincture ready to go whenever you need it.