Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Butternut (Juglans cinerea), also known as white walnut, has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in North America. It was employed by Native American tribes and 19th-century herbalists primarily as a laxative and for liver-related complaints, including jaundice. The traditional rationale was that butternut bark stimulates bile flow and promotes the clearing of "bile congestion," which was thought to underlie conditions like jaundice. However, these uses are based on empirical observations and the humoral theory of medicine, rather than rigorous scientific evaluation.

There is little to no modern clinical evidence supporting butternut's efficacy for treating jaundice in adults. Most references in herbal literature simply reiterate its historical use. Modern studies on butternut have focused mainly on its laxative properties, attributed to anthraquinone compounds, but have not established any direct benefit for hepatic function or the resolution of jaundice. In summary, butternut’s use for jaundice is justified by tradition, with very weak evidence and no current scientific validation.

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