# Why aren't walnuts killing us? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 9, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085 "2015-10-09T21:46:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/1 "2015-10-09T21:46:22Z")
[Why aren’t walnuts killing us?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3257/why-aren-t-walnuts-killing-us) Maybe they’re afraid to after centuries of being soundly thrashed. _A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree The more they’re whipped, the better they’ll be._ I cannot vouch for the efficacy of this treatment for women and dogs. Or, come to that, for walnut trees. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/2 "2015-10-09T21:54:40Z")
“juglone, […] found in the walnut tree’s roots, bark, leaves, wood, and green nut-hulls” If you’re eating any of the above, you’re doing it wrong. Very, very wrong. ---
**Author:** ![eastcheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@eastcheap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eastcheap)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/3 "2015-10-09T22:14:22Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > “juglone, […] found in the walnut tree’s roots, bark, leaves, wood, and green nut-hulls” > > If you’re eating any of the above, you’re doing it wrong. Very, very wrong. You can, however, brew teas from those things…it’s supposed to be good for stomach troubles or something. Can’t say as I’ve tried it myself. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/4 "2015-10-09T22:18:02Z")
> [@eastcheap](#): > > You can, however, brew teas from those things…it’s supposed to be good for stomach troubles or something. Can’t say as I’ve tried it myself. If your stomach troubles are [tapeworms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenolepis_nana), maybe. Especially [if you’re a mouse](http://www.researchgate.net/publication/215901697_Anthelmintic_effect_of_Juglone_on_matureand_Immature_Hymenolepis_nana_in_mice._._2301-302_%281997%29). If you give a mouse a walnut-hull tea… ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/5 "2015-10-09T22:31:19Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > “juglone, […] found in the walnut tree’s roots, bark, leaves, wood, and green nut-hulls” > > If you’re eating any of the above, you’re doing it wrong. Very, very wrong. My uncle has a vineyard planted on land that used to have walnut trees. He kept about 30 of the trees so he has access to a lot of green walnuts. One year we made Nocino with vacuum distilled brandy. This cutting up green walnuts and soaking them in alcohol. The results are OK but the liquor is too sweet for my tastes. My hands were stained for a month from cutting walnuts. This recipe is similar to what we did. > **[Turn Green Walnuts Into Truly Delicious Homemade Nocino Liqueur](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/nocino/)** > > Instructions for making nocino, a spicy, sweet Italian walnut liqueur, made from green, undeveloped walnuts. This delicious recipe makes a great gift. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/6 "2015-10-09T23:49:25Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > [Why aren’t walnuts killing us?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3257/why-aren-t-walnuts-killing-us) The only way a walnut can harm humans is if it contains Absorbitron. Even then it doesn’t really kill you. It will make you lose your thumbs though. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/7 "2015-10-10T00:00:02Z")
> [@Cecil](#): > > The research has certainly been promising. A 2009 study in Cell Biology International reported on exposing, in vitro, a chemotherapy-resistant line of melanoma cells to juglone; the juglone did enough of a number on the cells and their tendency to proliferate that the scientists suggested the compound might be characterized as an anticancer agent according to criteria put forth by the National Cancer Institute. Similar reactions have been observed when juglone has been let loose on leukemia, prostate cancer, and cervical carcinoma. Forget apricots! Walnuts: The new apricots! ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/8 "2015-10-10T00:20:34Z")
I just ate a handful of walnuts before coming to the computer and reading this article. I had the taste of them in my mouth while reading the entire thing. It was a rather unusual experience. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/9 "2015-10-10T03:15:13Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > I just ate a handful of walnuts before coming to the computer and reading this article. I had the taste of them in my mouth while reading the entire thing. It was a rather unusual experience. Come back tomorrow and tell us if you’re still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/10 "2015-10-10T14:14:38Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The only way a walnut can harm humans is if it contains Absorbitron. Even then it doesn’t really kill you. It will make you lose your thumbs though. Danny Thomas? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/11 "2015-10-10T14:22:33Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The only way a walnut can harm humans is if it contains Absorbitron. Even then it doesn’t really kill you. It will make you lose your thumbs though. But you do get that useful third eye in exchange. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/12 "2015-10-10T19:30:17Z")
I read the thread title as “Why aren’t walruses killing us?” If those things get pissed off and organized, look out. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2015, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/13 "2015-10-11T03:20:26Z")
[Juglone](http://www.xxlmag.com/files/2010/08/juggalos3.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/14 "2015-10-12T00:08:05Z")
> [@Loopus](#): > > Danny Thomas? WHAT is a “Danny Thomas”? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/15 "2015-10-12T03:44:06Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > “Why aren’t walruses killing us?” Because we give them stylish berets to wear. [(It’s plausible!)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Hyneman) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/16 "2015-10-12T13:22:44Z")
Wait, I thought it was acorns that wore stylish berets. And walnuts are also really good for staining wood. Got a piece of furniture with an ugly gouge in it? Get some walnuts (the eating kind), rub the meat of the nut (the part you eat) against the gouge, and watch it disappear. The physical damage will still be there, but the nut does a wonderful job of staining and blending the colors so it becomes almost unnoticeable. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/17 "2015-10-12T20:47:56Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > WHAT is a “Danny Thomas”? An actor and singer of some decades back. His connection with walnuts involves an episode of _The Dick Van Dyke Show_ in which he famously guest-starred. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/18 "2015-10-12T22:34:47Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > An actor and singer of some decades back. His connection with walnuts involves an episode of _The Dick Van Dyke Show_ in which he famously guest-starred. I’m not sure who is whooshing who exactly but just in case [I will link to this part of the episode in question…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQcfzB7iqGU&t=3m45s) (The relevant part is about 40 seconds in.) His character in this episode is from the planet Twilo. One guess as to his name. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/19 "2015-10-13T02:44:37Z")
Would you like a nice glass of air? ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085/20 "2015-10-15T00:31:42Z")
I think this conversation has gone into the Twilo Zone. :rolleyes: