The Sanskrit name for Juglans regia is Akschota and it is commonly called Walnut in English. This tree has a long history of medicinal uses in Ayurveda. Akshota is an important dry fruit, which has various medicinal properties. The other parts of this herb are also beneficial to health. The shell of the fruit, bark and leaves of the tree are of various medicinal benefits.
A chemical compound called juglansin, a globulin is obtained from the edible kernel. The herb has various medicinal properties such as it is alterative, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anodyne, bach, blood purifier, depurative, Cancer, diuretic, detergent, lithontripic, laxative, stimulant and vermifuge. The various other health benefits of juglans are described in this article.
Health Benefits of Juglans
Juglans is used to treat various health complaints. According to the use of tree parts, the medicinal benefits are given as follows:
- Leaves – The leaves of the tree are considered to be anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, alterative, depurative and astringent. It Is used for cure of herpes, eczema, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, asthma, syphilis, scrofula and cough. The leaves are also used as a blood purifier and in cure of various skin diseases.
- Male inflorescence – A broth is prepared from the male inflorescence and used for cure of vertigo and coughs.
- Seeds – The seeds of juglans are diuretic, antilithic and stimulant, which are used for effective treatment of frequent urination, asthma, chronic cough, low back pain, weakness in legs, constipation caused by stones and anemia.
- Rind – It has an astringent and anodyne properties and used for treatment of anemia and diarrhea.
The other medicinal uses of juglans are given below:
- Oil obtained from the seeds is considered to be anthelmintic and thus, used for treatment of dry skin conditions and menstrual problems.
- Seed cotyledons are used for cancer prevention. Some plant extracts have shown the anti-cancerous activity.
- The roots and bark have astringent, anthelmintic and detergent properties.
- The fruit is also used to cure rheumatism.
- To cure the sore throat, gargle with vinegar of the pickled young fruit is beneficial.
- The oil is beneficial against tapeworms and also as a laxative injection.
- The bark is finely powdered and used to prevent bleeding gums and as a mouth rinse.
- The shell has micro particles and have an exfoliating property. Thus, used as a skin scrub.
The above are some of the medicinal benefits of juglans.