Description
Black walnut has traditionally been used most popularly for its antiparasitic properties in the intestines. For this reason, you will find it as an ingredient in various intestinal cleansing formulas.
It has various antimicrobial properties and has done well in studies with activity against both Lyme (Borrelia) and Bartonella.
It also has traditional use for helping to oxygenate the blood. It’s not a coincidence that some of the best herbal antimicrobials simultaneously help support healthy circulation and oxygen in the blood (think garlic, wormwood and black walnut)
A study done in 2020 focused on herbs effective against Borrelia burgdorferi and listed Cryptolepis, black walnut, Japanese knotweed, Artemisia (sweet wormwood), cat’s claw, Cistus incanus and Chinese skullcap as the most effective herbs that showed good activity against the stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime.
Another study done in 2021 focused on herbs effective against Bartonella. Black walnut was found to be the most effective herb in that study and was even superior to several different antibiotic control groups.
Why We Love black walnut for tickborne illness (Lyme and Bartonella)
Ironically, even though it is traditionally an antiparasitic intestinal cleansing herb, I have not found it to be particularly useful against the blood-borne parasite Babesia.
The immune system uses oxygen to help it eliminate unwanted microbes. I believe black walnut and garlic to be the most useful anti-Bartonella herbs for most people. It is no coincidence that both these herbs have beneficial circulatory and cardiovascular effects. Remember, Bartonella likes to live physically in the cells that form the walls of the blood vessels. Antimicrobial herbs that are extremely active in the bloodstream and have high activity in the physical area of the body where Bartonella resides make it a terrific herb for most of my patients suffering from Bartonella.
A portion of symptoms in Lyme and Bartonella comes from the inflammation the body creates to try and fight these, particularly in the circulatory system. For this reason, herbs that have anti-inflammatory effects in the bloodstream are helpful not only for their antimicrobial properties but also for their inflammation-balancing effects.
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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