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Black Walnut has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. It has been used throughout history for treatment of intestinal problems, snakebites, open wounds, ulcers, scurvy, and as one of the most effective laxatives available. Because of its dark color, the outer hull is also used as a dye and was used in brown hair dye until the early 1900s. It is a good source of beta-carotene, acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc, tannin, B-vitamins, and vitamin C.

Today, the hulls are used to help with many conditions. It is known to be a gentle and effective laxative. Black walnut is known as an effective anti-viral and is used to fix warts, which are caused by viruses. Black walnut is an anti-fungus and has been used to fight herpes, cold sores, athlete’s foot, and Candida. It has been used as an antiseptic to combat illness like sexually transmitted infections and malaria and can be used to treat acne.

Black walnut hulls contain juglone, a chemical that is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and a fungicide. As a skin wash, black walnut hulls are used to treat ringworm and yeast infections of the skin. Taken internally, black walnut hulls are used to treat intestinal worms.

Black walnut is considered a “masculine” tree associated with the element of fire and the sun. Culpepper, in his Complete Herbal, writes,

“This is a plant of the sun. Let the fruit of it be gathered accordingly, which as the most virtual whilst green, before it shells.”

At home in the tropical regions of West Africa, the Kola tree is a relative of the Cocoa tree, which can grow up to a stately height of 65 m. The nuts are arranged in seed pods similar to those of cacao.

Everybody has heard of Kola, yet few are aware of it. Kola in fact contributed the stimulating action of its seeds to the original Coca Cola recipe, though today all natural substances have been removed and replaced by artificial ingredients. Thus, today all there is left of Kola in the famous beverage is half of the name.

In West Africa, Kola enjoys a much revered status as a sacred plant. 'Kola brings life' is a common saying in West Africa where Kola nuts are ceremonially shared as a sign of peace and honor, to welcome friends or strangers, to seal agreements and even to seek favor with the family of one's bride to be. These customs are particularly common among the tribal people, but e.g. in Nigeria the ceremonial sharing of Kola nuts is a respected sign of peace and concordance at all levels of society.

Traditional
Kola nuts are rich in caffeine and are used for their stimulating effect, e.g. in cases of mental or physical exhaustion, mental strain while studying, or as an energy booster. They also suppress feelings of hunger and thirst and may be used as a diet aid.

In West Africa, Kola nuts are used as a digestive aid. A little piece of nut chewed before the meal is not only said to improve digestion but also makes the meal taste better.

It may help allay headaches and migraines and has diuretic and astringent properties.

Magical
Kola nuts can be used to enhance concentration and mental clarity during long rituals and meditation. They can energize prayers or spells. Kola nuts are generally considered as a bringer of peace and may help reaching a decision or agreement among a group of people. It also has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, probably thanks to its energy boosting effect.

Hard to imagine that at one point in time this rarely used spice should have been one of the most prized treasures of the East. Fierce trade wars raged over the control of the Spice Islands, the natural home of the mysterious Nutmeg. After years of fighting and bloody wars the Dutch took reign over these Islands and monopolized the lucrative Nutmeg trade, until one brave man risked his life to 'liberate' the Nutmeg trade from the Dutch tyranny. Committing an act of biopiracy, he secreted some Nutmegs away and took them far outside the domain of Dutch control. From his seeds a plantation was established in Mauritius, a small island off the coast of Africa, and later in Granada, in the West Indies, where Nutmeg trade became so well established that it became emblematic of Granada and even decorates the national flag.

Nutmegs are the seeds of a tropical fruit which superficially looks a bit like a peach. When the fruit ripens the cortex splits open and two seeds are released, each surrounded by a lacy, bright red aril that covers their outer shell. This aril is known as Mace and is similarly used as the Nutmeg itself. The seed (nutmeg) is very hard and requires a special Nutmeg grater to grate off a pinch just before use.

In their home land Nutmegs are used for culinary and magical purposes. In India it is mostly used to flavor sweet dishes such as milk puddings and sweet rice dishes, while in the West it has become popular as a spice for eggnog. It is also used in Christmas baking as well as for potato and cauliflower dishes.

Nutmegs contain a psychoactive constituent called myristicin, which is toxic to the liver. However, in the absence of more pleasant diversions and recreational drugs, Nutmegs have at times provided entertainment as a legal drug, especially among inmates, who could not get their hands on anything else. Unfortunately such experiments are usually accompanied by very unpleasant side effects including severe vomiting and convulsions. Nutmeg intoxication also powerfully affects the heart rate and can be dangerous to anybody with cardiac problems. In short - large doses of Nutmeg are not recommended.

Medicinal:
In small doses Nutmeg is warming to the stomach. It can soothe cramps and indigestion and has a calming, relaxing effect. It can be used to treat insomnia and has even been given to children as a sedative. Small doses sharpen the mind and enhance concentration. It may be useful in cases of attention deficit syndrome. The essential oil is used for rheumatism and headaches.

Magical:
Nutmegs have been used to spice aphrodisiac dishes and are employed in various love charms. They can also be used for dream work and visualization. Traditionally they are used to ward off evil spirits and disease. Nutmegs can be included in incense blends and amulets.