Juglans cinerea

BotanicalBest in the evening

What is it

Juglans cinerea, commonly known as butternut, is a tree native to eastern North America. Its inner bark is used in traditional Western herbal medicine as a gentle laxative and as a digestive bitter.

Evidence for 1 use

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Constipation (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use as a mild stimulant laxative; high-quality controlled human trials are lacking.

How it works

Butternut bark contains naphthoquinones, including juglone, plus tannins and other phenolics. The naphthoquinones contribute mild stimulant laxative activity, and the bitter compounds support digestion. Traditional Eclectic and Western herbal use focused on chronic constipation and biliary support. Well-controlled human clinical evidence is sparse.

Dosage

Traditional preparations use a few drops to a couple of milliliters of tincture, or small amounts of dried inner bark. The DSLD does not list a single standardized dose.

When and how to take it

Typically taken in the evening if used for constipation, with adequate water.

1 commercial form

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Inner bark extract

Used in tinctures and Eclectic herbal formulas.

Naphthoquinones are active constituents

Safety

Generally considered safe in traditional short-term use. Long-term use of stimulant laxatives, including those containing naphthoquinones, may contribute to bowel dependence. Juglone is irritating; high doses can cause cramping and diarrhea.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding, intestinal obstruction, IBD, and in children. Limit to short-term use.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with other stimulant laxatives, anticoagulants, and cardiac glycosides via potassium depletion.

Frequently asked questions

Is butternut bark the same as the nut?⌄

No. The bark is medicinal; the nuts are edible and have different uses.

Is it safe long-term?⌄

Like other stimulant laxatives, it should not be used continuously for long periods due to risk of bowel dependence.

References

Juglans cinerea on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Juglans cinerea (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.