Walnut

Nuts - Juglandaceae. Common names: Christ's nut, stone nut, foreign nut, Voloshsky nut. Parts used: leaves. Pharmacy name: walnut leaves - Juglandis folium (formerly: Folia Juglandis).

Botanical description. The walnut tree, up to 25 m in height, is found quite often in Europe, but it is not a wild plant; it is grown in gardens. A characteristic feature of the tree is a wide spreading crown. The leaves are imparipinnate, up to 40 cm in length. When young they are rough due to glandular pubescence, later they are smooth. Leaves are elongated-ovate, short-pointed, entire; the terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral ones. The green fruits contain the well-known walnut inside.

Collection and preparation. The leaves are used for medicinal purposes. They are collected in June in good weather and quickly dried in air.

Active ingredients: tannins, essential oil, juglone, which acts against fungal pathogens, vitamin C and flavonoids.

Healing action and application. Walnut leaves are primarily a tanning raw material and, therefore, are used for inflammatory conditions on the mucous membrane. Area of ​​application: inflammation of the intestinal mucosa during diarrhea, irritation of the gastric mucosa, inflammation of the mouth and throat, inflammation of the eyes, especially the edges of the eyelids. But most of all, this plant is suitable for the treatment of various skin diseases (eczema, acne, frostbite). Walnut leaves are used both as an external and internal medicine in the form of an infusion (tea).

Use in folk medicine. Here you can repeat everything that was said above about this plant. It is given to girls instead of tea for acne and to regulate the menstrual cycle, as well as in the form of crushed raw materials with honey or mousse. A decoction of walnut leaves is a favorite remedy for sitz baths for hemorrhoids. But first the leaves are mixed with an equal amount of oak bark and the mixture is prepared as described above; for baths, dilute in the ratio of 1 tablespoon of decoction per 1 liter of water.

Side effects. Patients with a sensitive stomach sometimes react to raw materials with tannins: nausea and vomiting occur. The rest do not have to worry about side effects.