Walnut

Popular names: Christ walnut, rock walnut, foreign walnut, Volosh walnut.

Parts Used: Leaves.

Pharmacy name: walnut leaves – Juglandis folium (formerly: Folia Juglandis).

Botanical description. The walnut tree, up to 25 m in height, is quite common in Europe, but it does not belong to wild plants, it is bred in gardens. A characteristic feature of the tree is a wide spreading crown. Leaves pinnate, up to 40 cm long. When young, they are rough due to glandular pubescence, later they are smooth. Leaflets oblong-ovate, shortly pointed, entire; the terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral ones. Green fruits contain a well-known walnut inside.

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

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

Healing action and application. Walnut leaves are primarily tannic raw materials and, therefore, are used for inflammatory phenomena on the mucous membrane. Scope – inflammation of the intestinal mucosa with 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 as an internal medicine in the form of an infusion (tea).

  • Tea from walnut leaves: pour 2 teaspoons of finely ground leaves into 1/4 of cold water, heat to a boil and keep at this temperature for 3-5 minutes. After straining, the tea is ready to drink. For internal use, dosage: 2-3 times a day for a cup. For rinsing, irrigating the mouth, washing the eyes and baths for skin diseases and hemorrhoids, it should be diluted with chamomile tea in equal proportions.

Application 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, also 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 appear. The rest can not be afraid of side effects.