MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is a large tree that can reach over 20 feet high has a broad crown thanks to the arrangement of its branches in an open or a fan, all supported by a thick trunk. This species, so abundant in today-is native to areas of the Himalayas and the Balkans. The leaves have a long petiole, dark green, which is lost in winter and recover in spring, while the flowers. The fruit is what we all know as "nuts" not to be confused with the botanical name of the walnut, as the fruit of the walnut, "botanically" speaking, is a drupe and not a nut, as you might think by name .

FLOWERING

It blooms in spring with green flowers which are of two types: male and female, the latter are at the end of young branches, born the same year. Its appearance reminds us that give the fruit after fertilization, although, of course, is much smaller than this and is covered with a stubble. The male flowers come out in the portion of the branch last year, already lignified and therefore are arranged logically below the female. Its morphology is quite different from the female flowers as they have a large number of stamens, making them expire by its own weight. The leaf collection is done in summer, once formed the fruits, are applicable to dry quickly in the shade and a temperature below 40 degrees to avoid blackened. In this process, vitamin C is lost possessing leaves, as this vitamin is very unstable and the drying process destroys it. The bark of the pericarp of the fruit is harvested in August.

APPLICATIONS

The leaves, owning tannins used in diarrheal problems; juglona also present in the fruit gives properties for topical treatment of wounds, psoriasis, also used in boils, abscesses and eczema by its antiseptic properties, antifungal and keratinizing. The leaves are slightly hypoglycaemic power, while not really know which of the many compounds that have to be this action.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion of leaves: 20 grams of leaves in one liter of boiled water, leaving it in contact 15 minutes can take three cups a day, fasting or between meals. Decoction: 50 grams of leaves in 1 liter of water, boil for 15 minutes, taking three cups a day. Can also be used for washes, mouthwashes, gargles and vaginal irritations. Fluid extract: 25 drops three times daily. Pericarp extract: used in preparation of ointments, liniments, and as a local antiseptic. Oil: Obtained from nuts, not rancid, it can be used as an anthelmintic, ie acting against intestinal parasites. It takes fasting. The walnut oil was used as resolving stale in the past. The leaves have come to use in place of snuff in times when it was scarce, although results were not entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Juglandaceae
HABITAT: Middle East
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Leaves, pericarp and oil
CATALAN: Noguera
BASQUE: Etzaur
GALICIAN: Nogueira

USES

Astringency, Antiseptic Moderate, Digestive Leve.