Many people know about the benefits of walnuts. But not everyone knows what properties the leaves of this amazing tree have. Are they used in traditional or folk medicine? We will talk about this in this article.
Nutritional content
Walnut leaves in their composition accumulate a large amount of vitamin C as they develop. It reaches its maximum in the middle of the vegetative period. In terms of its quantity, walnut leaves are in no way inferior to blackcurrant. As you know, vitamin C helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, supports and normalizes the functioning of the kidneys and liver. In addition, the leaves contain the pigment juglone, which has bactericidal properties, vitamin B1, as well as traces of essential oil and carotene.
Useful properties of walnut leaves
Vitamin B1 will support your nervous system, vascular and heart function. In addition, it will increase the overall resistance of the body, have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Carotene is a powerful antioxidant that the body needs.
The phytoncides and juglone contained in walnut leaves are capable offight tuberculosis and dysentery pathogens, staphylococci, candida. Essential oils are natural repellants.
Indications for use
Infusions, decoctions, teas from walnut leaves are recommended for inflammatory bowel diseases, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, blepharitis and other inflammatory eye diseases. In addition, the healing properties of walnut leaves are used in the treatment of stomatitis, gingivitis. Infusions and teas from walnut leaves are widely used in dermatology: in the treatment of eczema, frostbite, acne.
Procurement of raw materials
Walnut leaves begin to be harvested in June, even before their final development. Dry them in the sun, while paying attention to the fact that they do not turn black. The appearance of black color indicates that the healing properties of raw materials have been lost.
If you do not have the opportunity to prepare raw materials yourself, do not worry, today dried leaves can be purchased at any pharmacy.
Use in traditional medicine
From ancient times, folk healers know about the beneficial properties of walnut leaves. Therefore, they successfully use preparations prepared on their basis for the treatment of dysbacteriosis. In addition, such compounds have proven themselves well as a wound healing agent, perfectly stop bleeding, and stimulate the movement of blood in the vessels. Decoctions and infusions are used for external use. They are effective for certain types of skin conditions and sweating.
Traditionalmedicine
Walnut leaves (extract) are part of the drug "Imupret" (Germany), which stimulates the immune system. The use of this tool significantly reduces the recovery time for various infectious diseases. In addition, the number of exacerbations of chronic diseases decreases, the body's resistance to acute viral and respiratory infections increases.
Infusion
To prepare it, you will need dry walnut leaves (one and a half tablespoons). They should be poured with boiling water (500 ml). The resulting composition must be infused for about two hours.
Infusion is recommended for exhaustion of the body, beriberi, as a tonic. Take thirty milliliters half an hour before meals.
Decoction
Dry walnut leaves (500 g) pour water (10 l), boil for thirty minutes, strain, dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and add to the bath.
This decoction is good for the skin. It can be used to prevent and treat skin diseases. In addition, it is effective in the treatment of childhood diathesis.
Tea
You will need one teaspoon (with a slide) of dry raw materials. It must be brewed with boiling water (1 cup). The tea is infused for about ten minutes.
This tea can also be used for rinsing, but in this case it is better to dilute it with medicinal chamomile tea in a ratio of 1:1. Such a composition is suitable for rinsing the mouth, washing the eyes. In addition, this tea will help relieve menstrualpain.
Leaves in cosmetology
If you want your hair to be strong and he althy, use an infusion of the leaves as a rinse. This will help prevent hair loss, give them shine, restore their structure and density.
Baths with the addition of light decoctions soften and soothe inflamed skin, relieve irritation, and significantly reduce sweating of the feet and hands. The ash from the burnt leaves is used to make an ointment to treat wounds, burns, and other skin lesions.
Walnut leaves: contraindications
One should not think that preparations made from walnut leaves are completely harmless. They, like all herbal remedies, have some contraindications. These should include:
- individual intolerance;
- chronic colitis;
- urticaria;
- neurodermatitis;
- psoriasis.
With caution, such drugs should be used for duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers, acute pancreatitis, gastritis (with high acidity). It is advisable to first consult with a specialist.
