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Manchurian walnut is a medicinal plant, in everyday life it is called a natural antibiotic. This product is used in the complex therapy of oncological diseases. The medicinal properties of the Manchurian walnut are undeniable, as a result of which not only kernels, but also shells with leaves are used for the preparation of medicines in folk medicine. In cooking, it is used extremely rarely, since it is quite difficult to peel the fruits due to the thick and hard shell. Unripe fruits are used to make delicious and at the same time healthy jam.
What does a Manchurian walnut look like?
The Manchurian walnut is a deciduous tree with a rather powerful and elongated trunk. The tree is able to reach a height of up to 30 m. The bark is very thick, throughout the entire growth of the tree, it is able to change color from light gray to black. The leaves are large, with a complex structure, as a rule, they consist of small leaves – 7-19 pieces. The leaf plate is elongated, has a sharp tip.
Flowers of different sexes appear on the tree. In early spring, male flowers appear in the form of dark-colored earrings. In April, female flowers begin to bloom – they are collected in brushes. After the flowering period has come to an end, the fruits of the Manchurian walnut begin to appear.
The fruits are small in size, the length can vary from 6 to 7 cm, the diameter is 4 cm. The shell is quite strong, on the surface of which there are cracks and numerous folds. Cleaning the fruit is not as easy as it might seem at first. The color of the shell changes as the fruit ripens – from green to brown. Ripening takes place from August to October.
The first harvest can be harvested after the tree has reached the age of 4-8 years, some varieties begin to bear fruit 15 years after planting in open ground. From each mature tree, 70-80 kg of crop can be harvested. The Manchurian walnut is long-lived and can reach the age of 300 years.
The benefits and harms of the Manchurian walnut
If we consider the beneficial properties of products for human health, then it is worth highlighting the following points:
- fruits are able to fight fungi, promote rapid healing of open wounds, relieve pain and inflammation;
- all parts of the fetus, without exception, have astringent and disinfectant properties;
- with the help of fresh leaves, you can purify the air, saturate it with phytoncides and many other useful substances;
- medicines, for the preparation of which the bark of the Manchurian walnut was used, can relieve pain. The leaves, in turn, have antiseptic and antibacterial properties;
- tinctures and decoctions prepared on the basis of nuclei can relieve spasms, stop bleeding, promote vasodilation, and have a diuretic effect. Often such decoctions are used to fight against worms;
- bark-based extract is used in the fight against cancerous tumors.
It is important to take into account that medicines prepared on the basis of Manchurian fruits bring health not only benefits, but also harm, which must also be taken into account.
Many experts recommend paying attention to the following points, according to which it is worth abandoning the use of fruits:
- there is an individual intolerance of the body to some components that make up nuts, as a result of which this product must be used as carefully as possible;
- the activity of substances in tinctures, decoctions and oils becomes much higher, therefore it is not recommended to use them in the presence of allergic reactions;
- it is necessary to refuse the product if there is a sensitivity to various types of nuts;
- pregnancy and lactation are not the reason why you should stop using medicines based on the Manchurian walnut, but in this case, consultation with your doctor is required.
It is important to consider that nut-based medicines may not be compatible with other medicines.
Is it possible to eat Manchurian nuts
Undoubtedly, the Manchurian nut is edible, in addition, it has a rich composition. Despite this, it must be taken into account in advance that this product has a number of contraindications, as a result of which fruits can be eaten only after consulting with your doctor. The kernels contain:
- tannins;
- acids;
- juglone;
- catechins;
- oil.
If we consider the vitamin composition, then it is worth noting:
- group A;
- group P;
- group B;
- potassium;
- magnesium.
The peel contains a large amount of iodine. In addition, the leaves of the tree also have useful properties, they were found to contain valuable acids, such as:
- ellagic;
- coffee;
- coumarin;
- ascorbic;
- pantothenic;
- nicotine;
- gallic.
The leaves contain the same amount of vitamins as the fruits.
How to crack a Manchurian nut at home
Despite the abundance of the annual harvest, the fruits are rarely eaten, even though the kernel makes up about 30% of the total nut and is quite valuable and dietary. Thus, due to the very thick skin, it is rather difficult to peel the Manchurian nut, but it is possible if necessary.
In order to extract the core, you need to take a medium-sized construction hammer and a birch log measuring 30 * 70 cm. You also need to use a stand. It is not recommended to use softwoods as a stand; birch is also considered the best option.
At the end of the cut, it is necessary to make a small recess, into which in the future you need to insert the Manchurian walnut with the sharp side. When the nut is inserted into the recess, it is necessary to make several blows on the log from the back with a hammer. During the splitting process, it is recommended to hold the nut so that it is in an upright position without changing.
You should not try to split the fruit with one blow, as the result will be unexpected, but predictable – the nut will shatter into small pieces, and the fingers will suffer from a strong blow with a hammer on the log. The shell will begin to open from a few moderate blows, from which the core will not suffer.
How to eat Manchurian nut
It should be borne in mind that the Manchurian nut is quite difficult to split, as a result of which the kernels are rarely eaten, but despite this, green fruits are actively used in cooking. From green nuts you can make delicious jam, which has not only a pleasant taste, but also has medicinal properties. You must immediately understand that the implementation of this recipe will take a lot of time.
For preparation you will need:
- green nuts in a peel – 1,5 kg;
- water – 2,5 l;
- granulated sugar – 1 kg;
- citric acid – 2 tsp;
- vanillin – 1 bag.
The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- The fruits of the Manchurian walnut are soaked in water and left for 3 days. Every day, the fruits must be washed at least 4 times, changing the water.
- After that, the nuts are cleaned, the kernels are removed (the work must be done with gloves).
- The kernels are put in a large saucepan, 2 liters of water and 5 g of citric acid are added.
- Put the future jam on fire, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Then you need to completely drain the water.
- In a separate container you need to prepare the syrup. To do this, add 400 kg of granulated sugar to 1 ml of water.
- The nuts are transferred to the resulting syrup and boiled for about 10 minutes. After that, the pan is covered with a lid and allowed to cool at room temperature.
- When the jam has cooled, the container is again put on fire and boiled for 30 minutes. At the end, vanillin and the rest of citric acid are added.
- Hot jam is poured into sterilized jars and twisted.
The use of Manchurian walnut in medicine
If we take into account the photo and the beneficial properties of the Manchurian walnut, then it is worth noting that the fruits are used to treat a large number of diseases:
- for wound healing, 40 g of leaves must be poured with 200 ml of boiling water, insisted for 30 minutes, soaked in a bandage and applied to the cut site;
- if 1 tbsp. l. pour dry leaves with boiling water, leave for 5 hours and strain, then such a preparation can be used to rinse the mouth;
- for the treatment of cancerous tumors, alcohol tinctures based on Manchurian nuts are used;
- with a disease of the digestive tract, 1 tbsp. l. dry leaves pour 200 ml of hot water, cover and infuse for 30 minutes. After that, the broth is filtered and taken 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.;
- if there are skin diseases, then you need 1 tbsp. dry leaves pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes, pour into a warm bath and stay in it for 30 minutes.
In addition, Manchurian oil is often used in folk medicine.
Противопоказания
If medicines or tinctures based on the Manchurian walnut are chosen for treatment, then it should be understood that exceeding the maximum allowable therapeutic dose can adversely affect human health. Overdose may cause the following side effects:
- dizziness;
- stomach ache;
- vasospasm.
The most severe consequence of an overdose is intoxication and dysbacteriosis. To prevent the occurrence of side effects, it is recommended to adhere to the permissible daily dose. At the same time, it is possible to use pumpkin seed oil in parallel, which can significantly reduce the burden on the digestive system.
Despite the beneficial and healing properties of the Manchurian walnut, it is worth considering the possible harm. This product has a number of contraindications, as a result of which preparations based on it are not recommended for use in the presence of the following diseases:
- stomach ulcer;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- gastritis.
In addition, it is worth considering the individual intolerance of the body of some components.
Terms and conditions of storage
Unshelled nuts should be stored in a dry, dark and cool place. The maximum temperature regime is +20°С. The lower the temperature, the longer the freshness of the product will be preserved.
If the fruits are contaminated, then they should be washed first. For these purposes, a large deep container is used. Those nuts that have surfaced should be removed, as they are empty. After the fruits have dried, they can be placed in cloth bags and stored in a dark place. Subject to proper temperature conditions, products can be stored for up to 1 year.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of the Manchurian walnut are undeniable, as a result of which the product has found wide application in traditional medicine. In addition, due to the unique properties, nuts can be used in cooking and cosmetic purposes. Wood is used to make furniture and handmade souvenirs. If necessary, a tree can be grown on a personal plot and after 4 years, start harvesting the first crop.