Walnut is a very old species. As it is supposed, it was originally created as a wild walnut that grew in the forests of Asia, and then spread across the Mediterranean across the whole world. It turned out that the properties of walnuts are of great use because they can be used in food, in preparation of salves and medicines, as well as in the manufacture of furniture, tools and weapons.
Nutritive properties of walnuts
There are twenty-one types of walnuts, and all are edible. Domestic walnut is mostly used in the diet. The nutritive value of the walnut kernel is by far the highest compared to other stone fruits, given that it contains a high level of nutritious elements.
The energy value is very high – 654 KCal per 100 grams. Walnuts contain a high level of good fats and proteins, which, in addition to their energy value, support the health and resistance of the body.
The walnut fruit’s greatest nutritional and medicinal value is in the high concentration of good fats (65.21 g per 100 grams). Namely, walnuts are abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids to a greater extent than other fruits of the same genus, with a very high level of Omega-6 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple beneficial effects on our body. They help in the fight against inflammatory processes, support muscle regeneration and fat burning, and strengthen the health of the heart, brain and eyes.
The carbohydrate level is low, as with most stone fruits (13.71 per 100g), so it is highly recommended for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Walnut kernels are a good source of protein and fiber, as they are in moderate amounts.
Medicinal properties walnuts
The beneficial properties of walnuts on human health have been known for centuries. Traditionally, salves, teas, tinctures and ointments are made from leaves, green fruits, cores and septaWith the development of pharmacy, extracts of all parts of the walnut fruit and leaves began to be used in the industrial production of medicines and salves.
Unripe fruits, septa and leaves contain: vitamin C, group B vitamins, carotene, tannins, flavonoids, essential oil, iron and cobalt salts, potassium, iodine, calcium, alpha-hydrojuglone, betahydrojuglone and alkaloid juglandine.
The core of the ripe fruit contains: Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, amino acids, fatty oil, glycerides, vitamins A, B, C, E, K and P, minerals calcium, potassium , magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sulfur and aluminum.
The walnut kernel has a beneficial effect as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, protects the liver and reduces lipid levels.
Extracts of leaves, unripe walnut fruit and septa are used in the treatment of diabetes, atherosclerosis, arthritis, gout, metabolic syndrome, avitaminosis and many other diseases.
With their ingredients, walnuts significantly contribute to immunity, help against inflammatory processes in the body and thus directly play a role in prevention cancer.
Recipes with walnuts for health and beauty that you can make yourself
Strengthening bones
By consuming a few kernels every day, you will take advantage of the beneficial properties of walnuts. The walnut prevents the loss of minerals from the bones and helps in the formation of collagen, thus strengthening ligaments and tendons.
Prevention of metabolic syndrome and weight loss
The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 has a beneficial effect on the level of lipids in the body. Daily consumption of walnut kernels significantly contributes to maintaining good body weight and blood fat levels.
Insomnia
Eat a few walnuts before going to bed. Thanks to melatonin and omega-3 acids, walnuts have a relaxing effect and will make it easier for you to fall asleep and wake up refreshed in the morning.
Aleviate pain
Mix ten tablespoons of chopped walnut leaves with one liter of unrefined olive oil and leave it in a warm place for thirty days with daily shaking. Massage the painful areas with this mixture.
Remove vitiligo spots
Just before ripening , pick the green walnut fruits and rub the inside of the peel on the vitiligo spots. Try not to get those parts of the skin wet.
Cancer prevention
Seven walnut kernels per day prevent the occurrence of many diseases, primarily malignant changes and diseases of the digestive tract, thanks to the content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.
Hair Mask
Balm against hair loss and dandruff is made from 100 grams of ground walnuts that are soaked in pure alcohol and left to stand for 14 days. When washing the hair, this balm is massaged into the strands.
Walnut Membrane Tea
Leave five shelled walnuts in water for about four hours. Then boil them in boiling water for ten minutes. This tea is excellent for purifying heart arteries and lowering body temperature.
Ointment for the stomach and thyroid gland Wash
40 young green walnuts well and cut them in half, put them in a liter of water with 800 g of brown sugar, one lemon cut into slices and four cloves and leave them in the sun for forty days. Then add one deciliter of this concentrate to one liter of pure kombucha. It is best to drink it chilled before eating, so that the healing properties of walnuts would not be used to the best advantage.