Black Walnut Salve
Black walnut has a long history in herbal skincare – especially the green hulls of the nut. They contain natural ani-fungal and astringent properties. These are perfect qualities to include in an old-fashioned healing salve. In this tutorial, you will learn how to gather the green walnuts, make the infused oil, and make your own black walnut salve using beeswax and a few simple ingredients.
These homemade potions can often be useful for minor skin issues – don’t be afraid to try them. Raw beeswax is a common ingredient in herbal salves & balms; it brings some impressive qualities to the table.
Why Make a Black Walnut Salve?
One of those old-time ingredients, Black Walnut doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. The green hulls are rich in tannins and other plant compounds that make them naturally drying and cleansing.
After they are infused into oil, you have a blend that pairs perfectly with beeswax to make a long-lasting salve.
Good for a variety of problems, black walnut salve is often used for very rough skin or as part of a natural first-aid kit. It is inexpensive to make and will last for months.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the materials and ingredients needed for both the oil infusion and the finished Black walnut salve.
(Vitamin E oil is optional – I like to include it in most salves and balms)
Materials & Supplies
- Fresh green black walnut hulls
- Gloves (don’t skip this)
- Pint size glass jar with lid
- Coconut oil (or other carrier oil of your choice)
- Double boiler – and heat source
- Strainer material (cheesecloth, or fine mesh nylon)
- Small salve tins for storage
Ingredients for the Salve
(First you will make the infused oil – then use it to make the salve)
- 3.5 oz (100g) black walnut infused oil
- .5 oz (14g) beeswax
- 15-21 drops of essential oil (optional- lavender, lemon, etc)
Gathering and Preparing Green Walnut Hulls
Black walnuts start dropping from the trees in late summer through early fall. I usually gather mine in October, when the hulls are still green and firm. You can use ones that have started to darken, but the infused oil will be darker.
Most of what you need will already be on the ground. If you do pick straight from the tree – be sure to wait until the end of the season when they are fully mature.
Unless you are making large batches – you will only need 6-8 walnuts. And yes, if one of these falls on your head, you’ll absolutely feel it —ask me how I know.
How to Make Black Walnut Infused Oil
Before you begin working with the hulls, put on gloves. The green hulls will stain your hands (and anything else they touch) – the color does not wash off easily.
Break the hulls apart
Take each walnut and remove the outer green hull – this is what we want to use. The inside will look yellow or mushy – that is normal. You are only using the hull, not the nut or mushy stuff inside.
Fill a small jar (pint) about halfway with pieces of hull. You don’t have to chop them but I usually break them up a bit.
Add the oil
If you use coconut oil, it may be solid (this is normal when room temperatures are cool). No worries – gently warm the oil to liquid form. Pour the oil over the hulls – make sure they are fully covered and the jar is almost full.
Warm the mixture
Place the uncovered jar in a pot of warm water (like a DIY double boiler). Keep the heat low – no boiling or bubbling. Let the oil and hulls infuse for 2-3 hours.
Strain and store
Once the infusion time has passed, remove the jar from the water. Use a filter material (like cheesecloth) and a rubber band to separate the oil from the solids.
Transfer the finished oil to a clean jar (with lid) and discard the hulls. Now you have a rich herbal oil ready to make your own black walnut salve.
Step by Step – How to Make the Salve
Full instructions and ingredients at the bottom of this post. Here is a quick overview of the process.
1. Melt the beeswax
Add the beeswax to a double boiler or heat-safe pour pot and melt it slowly over low heat. You can melt beeswax in the microwave, but I don’t recommend it — the double boiler method is safer and helps preserve the natural qualities of both the beeswax and oil.
2. Add the infused oil
Once the wax is fully melted, pour in the black walnut infused oil and stir until the mixture is completely blended. Keep the heat low and avoid boiling.
3. Add essential oils (optional)
Remove the mixture from heat and stir in your chosen essential oils, if using. The amount listed in the recipe is a guide — use less for a subtle scent or a bit more for stronger aroma, but don’t overdo it.
You can also skip EO entirely if you prefer a scent-free salve. This is also the step where I often add a few drops of Vitamin E oil – but it is not required.
4. Pour into containers
While still warm and liquid, pour the salve into tins or small jars. Metal tins work well and make the salve easy to apply later.
5. Cool, cap, and label
Allow the salve to cool and firm up completely before adding lids. Label the container with the date and name — your future self will thank you.
Storage & Use
Homemade black walnut salve will keep for up to 1 year when stored properly. Keep it in a cool, dark place with the lid tightly closed.
If you notice any change in smell, texture, or see signs of mold, it’s time to make a fresh batch.
Since this is an oil-and-wax salve (no water added), it’s naturally shelf-stable, but heat and sunlight will shorten its lifespan. A small tin kept in a bathroom cabinet, herbal kit, or bedside drawer is ideal.
As with any new skincare product, do a small patch test first — especially if you’ve never used black walnut topically before.
FAQs
Fresh green hulls are best because they contain more of the natural compounds that give the salve its benefits and color. Dried hulls can be used, but the oil will be darker and not as potent. If you do use dried hulls, infuse them longer and expect a stronger earthy scent.
Yes. Coconut oil is popular because it has its own anti-fungal properties and firms up nicely in a salve, but you can also use olive oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba. Just note: softer oils may give you a looser salve, so you may need to increase the beeswax slightly.
If you want a balm that spreads very easily, reduce the beeswax by 10–20%. For a solid salve (like lip balm texture), increase the beeswax a bit.
Black walnut is a strong herbal ingredient, so it’s best used with care. Avoid using it on babies, young children, or pets unless you’ve researched it fully or consulted a professional. Always do a patch test first — even natural herbs can bother sensitive skin.
A Final Word
Black walnut salve is one of those herbal projects that’s simple to make, yet feels incredibly satisfying to have on hand. Whether you add it to your herbal first-aid kit, gift it to a fellow natural-living friend, or just enjoy the process of making it, this is a project that connects you right back to traditional, hands-on folk medicine.
Want more honey-bee, beeswax, and herbal projects like this? Join my free weekly newsletter — I share one new DIY or beekeeping tip every Sunday.
Additional Resources:
**Natural remedies are still powerful. This recipe is shared for entertainment purposes and promises no health care benefits.
Black Walnut Salve Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my Disclosure.Tools
- double boiler (pot to melt wax) optional
Supplies
- 3.5 oz black walnut infused oil (100g)
- .5 oz beeswax (14g)
- 21 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- Add beeswax to a double boiler and heat on low until fully melted.
- Pour in the black walnut infused oil and stir gently until completely combined.
- Remove from heat and add essential oils, if using. Stir again.
- Pour the warm salve mixture into tins or small jars.
- Let cool and solidify before adding lids and labels.
This is fascinating! I had no idea that black walnuts had healing properties. I’m really eager to try making some from the tree in my backyard.
🙂
This is a great idea and just in time for gift-giving season, thank you Charlotte!
🙂
Easy natural salve