Walnut leaves: useful properties and contraindications

Walnut leaves have many medicinal properties, although people are more aware of the benefits of the fruits of this tree. In fact, almost all parts of the plant are used in folk medicine, sometimes combining them with each other in one remedy. Of course, the concentration of trace elements and vitamins in walnut fruits is higher than in the roots or bark, however, its leaves are highly valued not only for their vitamin composition, but also for their ability to purify the air and disinfect water.

What do walnut leaves look like?

Walnut leaves are compound, pinnate, alternate. They have an elongated ovoid shape and are slightly serrated along the edges. The length of the leaf plate is on average 5-8 cm. Leaves bloom along with flowers. On the branches they are located in groups of 6-9 pieces.

What are the benefits of walnut leaves

The medicinal properties of walnut leaves are due to its rich vitamin composition:

1. Vitamin C – its concentration in walnut leaves is not inferior to that in blackcurrant. It increases the body’s resistance to viral infections, strengthens capillaries, and normalizes the functioning of the kidneys and liver. In autumn and winter, when flu outbreaks are observed everywhere, it is recommended to drink teas and infusions from raw walnuts as a preventive measure.
2. Vitamin V1 nourishes the nervous system, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and normalizes metabolic processes in the body. It also improves the functioning of the digestive system, tones muscles and improves appetite. In addition to leaves, vitamin B1 is found in large quantities in walnut shells.
3. Vitamin V8 minimizes the risk of blood clots in blood vessels, stabilizes blood pressure and improves metabolism. The benefit for men is that the high concentration of the vitamin in walnut leaflets helps in the prevention of erectile dysfunction.
4. Vitamin P – has a tonic effect on the nervous system, normalizes the liver.
5. Vitamin A (or retinol) is known primarily for its antioxidant properties – it promotes the renewal of body cells, removes fine mimic wrinkles. The immunostimulating properties of carotene are no less known. It also helps to improve vision and the rapid distribution of calcium in the body, which leads to the strengthening of tooth enamel.
6. Tannins – they are responsible for the astringent property of walnut leaves.
7. Phytocyanide have an antibacterial effect on the human body.
8. Vitamin E used in medicine in violation of the hormonal background. In addition, it has a strengthening effect, increasing the body’s resistance to viruses.
9. juglone enzyme It has an antitumor effect on the human body, due to which the leaves are used to prevent cancer. It also contributes to the normalization of the digestive tract, improves the general condition of the skin and helps with thyroid dysfunction.
10. potassium – This microelement contributes to the normalization of the heart.
11. In addition, a high content of minerals was found in the leaf plates of this plant: zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and also iodine.

The rich chemical composition of walnut leaves determines a number of the following healing properties of the plant:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antifungal;
• astringent;
• pain reliever;
• anthelmintic;
• wound healing;
• firming;
• tonic;
• hemostatic;
• vasoconstrictor;
• diuretic;
• bactericidal;
• choleretic.

The use of walnut leaf in folk medicine

The scope of medicines based on walnut raw materials is quite wide, which is due to an impressive list of its useful properties. In particular, walnut leaves are used for:

• diabetes mellitus;
• anemia;
• uterine bleeding in women;
• cystitis;
• exhaustion of the body after colds;
• weak immunity;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• skin diseases (furunculosis, lichen, psoriasis);
• pyelonephritis;
• breast cancer;
• disruption of the liver and bladder;
• joint pains;
• worms;
• tuberculosis;
• inflammatory processes in the 3rd ear;
• periodontal disease;
• atherosclerosis;
• eczema;
• asthenia;
• diseases of the digestive tract.

In type 2 diabetes, walnut leaf tea is useful, however, one-time or indiscriminate use from time to time will not have a significant effect on the body. In order to achieve visible results, you need 2-3 courses of 7 days. After each course, it is recommended to maintain an interval of 3-4 days. Optimal dosage: 3-4 times a day for a cup.

Rules of raw material procurement

The medicinal properties of walnut leaves are fully revealed only under conditions of proper storage. It is equally important to follow the rules for collecting raw materials:

1. The material is harvested in the last days of May – early June, when the leaves are still small. In young walnut leaves, the highest content of useful trace elements is observed.
2. It is recommended to pluck only 4-5 extreme leaves from the shoot.
3. Before decomposing the raw material to dry, it is necessary to cut off the petioles from each leaf plate.
4. The collected material is laid out in the sun in a thin layer, periodically turning the leaves over.

It is recommended to store dried leaves in a bag made of fabric material. They also retain their healing properties well in glass containers.

In a dry room at room temperature, the collected raw materials can be stored for 2 years.

Uses of walnut leaves

Dried or fresh walnut leaves are widely used in folk medicine and pharmacology. On the basis of the walnut leaf, infusions, decoctions, ointments, vodka and alcohol tinctures, teas and juices are made, which can be consumed internally and used externally.

Walnut leaf tincture on vodka

Tincture from the leaves of the tree is made according to the following scheme:

1. Dried raw materials are poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:10.
2. The resulting mixture is infused for 10-15 days.
3. Then the tincture is filtered through a double layer of gauze, after which it is ready for use.

They drink such a tincture of walnuts in a course of 2 weeks. Recommended dosage: 4 times a day, 6-8 drops diluted in water.

The scope of tincture of walnut leaves includes, first of all, the normalization of the digestive tract and the relief of stomach pain.

Infusion of walnut leaves

An infusion of walnut leaves has a lot of useful properties, which can be prepared according to the following recipe:

1. ½ tsp dry crushed raw materials pour 100 g of boiling water.
2. The drink is infused for an hour.
3. After the specified time, the infusion is filtered and poured into a glass container.

Dosage: 4 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.

Dry raw materials can be replaced with fresh ones. Enough 1 large leaf per 100 g of water. Before pouring raw materials with boiling water, it is recommended to grind it.

Walnut leaf decoction

There are many recipes for decoctions using various parts of the walnut, including leaf plates. The scheme for preparing different decoctions as a whole is not much different, however, the ingredients, depending on the scope of application, can vary greatly.

To normalize the menstrual cycle in women, the following decoction is suitable:

1. The dried leaves of the tree are ground in a coffee grinder or blender. You can also finely chop them by hand.
2. 1,5 st. l. raw materials pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist 2-3 hours.
3. Then the broth is filtered and the green mass is squeezed out, after which the filtered product is ready for use.

The decoction is drunk 3 times a day before meals for 30 g.

For inflammation of the mouth and throat, a decoction with a higher concentration of raw materials is used:

1. 2 tbsp. l. dried leaves pour 1 tbsp. water and put on fire.
2. When the water boils, the broth is removed and infused for an hour.
3. The liquid is then filtered through cheesecloth.

This decoction is also suitable for the treatment of worms. In addition, it can be used externally for acne and furunculosis.

Green leaf juice

For the preparation of juices, fresh raw walnuts are used. They moisten dressings and tampons in the treatment of skin diseases (lichen, furunculosis, eczema, psoriasis).

The cooking algorithm is as follows:

1. Raw materials are inspected for yellowish or damaged leaf plates.
2. The selected material is thoroughly washed.
3. Then the green mass is crushed manually or with the help of improvised means in a container until the juice appears.

The resulting liquid must be thickly smeared on the diseased area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe skin. In addition, you can dip a gauze bandage in the juice and apply it to an abscess or ulcer. Pimples and boils are usually treated pointwise.

Ointment

An ointment made from dried and crushed leaves of the tree is used primarily for the treatment of panaritium and boils. You can prepare it according to the following scheme:

1. 35 g of dry raw materials are crushed in a blender or coffee grinder, after which 200 g of corn oil are poured into it.
2. The thoroughly mixed mixture is kept for about a week in a dry room at room temperature.
3. After the specified period, the blank for the ointment is heated in a water bath for an hour.
4. The resulting infusion must be filtered 2-3 times through a layer of gauze. Then it is returned to the water bath for another 20-30 minutes.
5. After that, the infusion is diluted with 30 g of wax and mixed properly.

Such an ointment has proven itself in the healing of burns and festering wounds, as well as in the treatment of skin cancer.

Safety measures

The benefits of walnut leaves are undeniable, however, when using medicines based on them, a measure should be observed – the abuse of decoctions and infusions, which include parts of this plant, not only reduces their medicinal qualities to zero, but can also turn into harm.

This happens for the following reasons:

• a high concentration of certain substances causes a contraction of cerebral vessels, which leads to spasms;
• walnut is an allergen and causes an allergic reaction in people with intolerance to products based on this plant;
• a large amount of alkaloids in many parts of the plant is harmful to the human body;
• in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema, too frequent application of dressings soaked in decoction to the skin causes an exacerbation of these diseases;
• Exceeding the daily norm of substances contained in the leaves leads to problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications to treatment with walnut leaves

Medicinal preparations, which include any parts of the plant, including leaves, are contraindicated for use by persons with:

• chronic colitis;
• acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• thrombophlebitis;
• pancreatitis;
• neurodermatitis;
• individual intolerance to walnuts;
• increased blood clotting.

This applies only to products for oral use. Ointments and decoctions intended for external use have no contraindications, with the exception of walnut allergy.

Conclusion

Walnut leaves are useful in the same way as its fruits and other parts of the plant: shell, roots, bark. They have a rich vitamin and mineral composition, which is why their effect on the body is so strong. The course of treatment with preparations based on walnut raw materials has a positive effect on almost all human organ systems.

You can learn more about the healing properties of the plant from the video below: