A number of plant species can be used to accompany your autumn cure. Among them, walnut(Juglans Regia) deserves special attention. First of all, because of the seasonal effect, in keeping with the rhythm of nature.
The walnuts ripen in late September to early October. We eat them fresh, then dry them throughout the winter. Tasty, they have a slightly bitter taste. Rich in fat, walnuts contain a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Around a fifth of these are alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3). Their ratio of polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fatty acids is optimal.
What are the characteristics of walnut?
The walnut is a majestic tree that is sensitive to cold, stagnant air and damp. It is a solitary tree; the juglone (a quinone produced by the leaves and roots of the tree) prevents the germination of other species around it. We can draw an analogy with the energy of autumn that we have been talking about, which pushes us into a form of withdrawal and solitude that encourages introspection. Similarly, how many of us are sensitive to the damp, stagnant autumn air, and approach this transitional season with a sense of distance?
Finally, we should remember that Dr Bach recommended the use ofWalnut to accompany transitions and to respond to a need for protection from the outside world. Another parallel with the season?
Botanical description
Walnut trees grow to a height of 20 to 25 metres, or even 30 metres in a stand. They reach the end of their growth cycle after 60 to 80 years. These deciduous trees live up to 150 to 160 years in Western and Central Europe. Their bark, which is light grey and thin when young, cracks deeply with age. Their deciduous, alternate, imperipinnate leaves give off an aromatic scent when crumpled. They consist of 5 to 9 oval leaflets.
Walnut trees are monoecious. Their male flowers appear in greenish hanging catkins. Female flowers appear later in pairs at the tips of the branches. Pollination is by wind. The fruit are green drupes with a woody shell inside. The term ” walnut” refers either to the whole fruit, the fruit without the green shell, or the kernels. Walnuts ripen in autumn.
Black walnut trees can live for between 200 and 300 years, while common walnut trees live for between 300 and 400 years. Their trunks can exceed 1.50 m in diameter. The common walnut reaches a height of 25m, compared with 40m for the black walnut in its native range. Walnut leaves smell of walnut stain. Male and female flowers coexist on the same tree. The husk surrounding the fruit is green in common walnut and yellow in black walnut.
Black walnut and hybrid walnut trees grow faster than common walnut. They are all light species, tolerating a certain amount of shade. Grown for their fruit and precious wood, they are native toEastern Europe andtemperate Asia. They flower in April-May and bear fruit in September-October.
Distribution
The natural range of the common walnut (Juglans regia) extends from China to western Europe, crossing Central Asia, Nepal, northern Pakistan and Iran, the Caucasus, eastern Turkey and the Balkans. Its cultivation extends beyond this area, including North Africa, California, Chile and New Zealand.
In France, the common walnut is grown over most of the country, preferring deep, loose, well-drained loamy-clay soils. It thrives at altitudes of up to 700-800 metres, except in regions with an oceanic climate and in Corsica.
The Romans, and later Charlemagne, encouraged walnut cultivation in Europe. Archaeological discoveries show its presence in Eurasia, from the Himalayas to Italy and Switzerland. Recent studies based on microsatellite DNA (SSR) of Juglans spp., access to walnut populations in remote, uncultivated areas of Asia, and fossil pollen discoveries in Europe, have helped to understand the evolution of walnut trees in Eurasia over the last 10,000 years.
The walnut is hardy, but fears frost when young and wind, which can break its branches. Its leaves are vulnerable to anthracnose, a fungal disease. The roots can be attacked by armillaria, a parasitic fungus, particularly in poorly drained soils.
Originally from the Near East, the walnut tree was introduced to Europe by the Romans. It can live up to 400 years. Napping under a walnut tree can make you ill, probably because of juglone, a substance that also inhibits the growth of other plants.
Uses of the Walnut
Walnut trees, grown in Europe for their fruit and wood, are found naturally from China to Western Europe, including Central Asia, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, the Caucasus, Eastern Turkey and the Balkans. They are also grown in North Africa, California, Chile and New Zealand.
Black walnut wood is prized for its moisture resistance , beautiful polish and dark colour. This hardwood, weighing between 550 and 700 kg/m3, is relatively soft but stable, with low volume shrinkage and good resistance to splitting. Its natural durability is average, with vulnerability to fungal attack and insects. The wood is grained, coloured and bends easily, offering a beautiful contrast between light sapwood and dark brown heartwood.
Walnut produces fruit called walnuts, which are eaten fresh or dried, and used for walnut oil. The husk surrounding the kernel is used to make walnut husk stain.
Walnut leaves contain juglone, an antibacterial phenolic substance, and antioxidant ellagitannins. In medicine, walnut leaves are used to treat venous insufficiency, haemorrhoids and mild diarrhoea. They are also used in phytotherapy for a variety of disorders.
In short, the walnut is a tree with multiple uses, as much for its precious wood for cabinet-making as for its fruit and leaves with medicinal properties. Its cultivation and history, spread over vast regions, bear witness to its importance throughout the ages.
Active ingredients and toxicity
The walnut plant is characterised by various main components in its different parts. The leaves contain ellagic tannins, naphthoquinones (hydrojuglone, juglone), various flavonoids (quercetol, hyperoside, etc.), phenolic acids (3-caffeoylquinic acid and others),essential oil andascorbic acid. Walnuts are rich in fatty oils with essential fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), tannins (glansrin, Tellimagrandins), phenolic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, adenosine, vitamins (E, B3, B5, B6) and minerals.
Roots, which are exposed to more pathogens, contain morehydroxybenzoic acids and naphthoquinones, which are useful for defence against these agents. The buds or young shoots contain between 0.01 and 0.03% essential oil, dominated by germacrene D, and also including beta-caryophyllene and other compounds.
Nevertheless, the walnut tree can cause some discomfort. Its juglone, present in the buds, nut shells and roots, is a toxic substance that inhibits the growth of other plants. The highest concentrations of juglone are found in black walnut. This substance also affects animal health. Ingestion of walnuts by dogs can lead to severe symptoms such as vomiting, neurological disorders (tremors, convulsions, difficulty moving, paralysis), excessive salivation and increased heart rate. Mouldy nuts are particularly dangerous because of the mycotoxin Penitrem A.
Similarly, horses and ponies can suffer from laminitis (inflammation of the last phalanx, sometimes tipping over and even going through the hoof if left untreated) if they come into contact with black walnut waste. The spread of walnut pollen can cause allergic reactions in humans and horses.
The walnut tree in all its forms
Walnuts are rich in fibre, magnesium and antioxidants, including vitamin E. A handful of walnuts every day is a great way to benefit from this cocktail.
The oil
Walnut oil is a real treat at this time of year, to accompany salads and seasonal vegetables. You’ll benefit from its positive effects on the nervous system and digestive tract, as long as you choose organic, first cold-pressed oil, and keep a close eye on storage (it oxidises very quickly!).
Walnut oil is golden to light brown in colour, with a pronounced flavour reminiscent of bread crust and biscuit. Mainly used to season salads and vegetables, this oil is delicate due to its high unsaturated fatty acid content. It is not suitable for cooking at high temperatures, but can be used to flavour hot dishes at the end of cooking. For optimum preservation, it should be stored away from air and light, and refrigerated after opening.
Composed mainly of triacylglycerols andunsaturated fatty acids, walnut oil has a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with a predominance oflinoleic acid (omega-6) andalpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). Omega-6 and omega-3, known for their cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, contribute to blood fluidity and vasodilation. The balance between these two types of fatty acid is essential, with walnut oil offering a near-ideal omega-6/omega-3 ratio (4.71), in contrast to common dietary imbalances.
Walnut oil also contains monounsaturated (omega-9) and saturated fatty acids, but in smaller quantities. Its richness in vitamin E and phenolic compounds gives it antioxidant properties, although these are less pronounced than in walnut kernels due to the extraction process. The quality of the oil varies according to the extraction method used, with first cold-pressed virgin oils generally being richer in bioactive components.
Phytotherapy
In phytotherapy, Walnut is found in various forms(glycerol macerate, capsules, EPS, etc.). While the highly astringent hull is used to combat intestinal parasites, the leaves and buds regulate blood sugar levels, digestive problems and skin disorders.
In France, according to theAgence du médicament (1998), walnut leaves can be used to treat symptoms of venous insufficiency, such as heavy legs, haemorrhoidal disorders and mild diarrhoea. In his ethnobotanical study, Pierre Lieutaghi highlights the traditional use of walnut leaves in infusions for nosebleeds, furunculosis, circulatory problems and blood pressure.
Maria Treben recommends bathing in leaf decoctions for a variety of ailments, including rickets, scrofula, cavities, swollen bones, acne and frostbite. She also suggests mouth rinses to treat pharyngitis and gingivitis, and external use for skin conditions such as ringworm.
Internally, the leaves are used as an herbal tea for digestive disorders, constipation, anorexia, purification, diabetes and jaundice. The leaves have astringent, healing, hypoglycaemic, antidiabetic, antitumour, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Walnut essential oil has antifungal and bactericidal effects.
Walnuts are renowned for their antioxidant and anti-atheromatous properties, and for stimulating osteoblasts. It helps to reduce total and LDL cholesterol. Walnut oil is beneficial against hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, inflammation and blood clotting.
Walnutbark has antibacterial and antifungal properties and prevents dental plaque. It is also effective in limiting the complications of diabetes by inhibiting protein glycation.
Gemmotherapy
In gemmotherapy, the Walnut bud has a particularly surprising action in the plant world, as it stimulates intestinal flora. Coupled with its depurative and astringent action, it responds perfectly to the season’s need to drain and purify while nourishing saprophytic flora.
Thanks to its action on the digestive system, Walnut bud macerate has a knock-on effect on the skin (as the intestine transfers waste it is unable to evacuate to the skin) and on the respiratory system (the lungs also take over from an overworked intestine).
Walnut bud macerate, known for its regulating effects on saprophytic flora, is effective against a variety of health problems. In dermatology, it is indicated for treating abscesses, acne, skin allergies, dermatitis, eczema, boils, impetigo, mycosis, psoriasis and warts. For the digestive system, it relieves gastric acidity, aerophagia, bloating, cirrhosis, diarrhoea, dysentery and pancreatitis. It is also used to regulate metabolism in cases such as diabetes and poisoning.
For the blood and lymphatic system, it helps in the treatment of varicose ulcers, anaemia, arteritis and haemorrhoids. It is beneficial for the urogenital system in cases of cystitis, urinary tract infection and urethritis. It also supports the immune and respiratory systems in conditions such as allergies, bronchitis, herpes, immune weakness, sinusitis and tracheitis. Finally, it is useful for osteoarticular disorders, such as osteoarthritis and chronic progressive polyarthritis.
This macerate is an effective digestive system regenerator, restoring intestinal flora and acting positively on the pancreas and spleen. It is particularly recommended for diarrhoea, acne and diabetes. Its bioactive components give it antioxidant, detoxifying, immunostimulant and neuroprotective properties.
Bach Flower Remedies
BachWalnut Flower Essence is designed to help free oneself from past influences and protect oneself from external influences, particularly during periods of transition. It comes from Juglans regia, more commonly known as common walnut, Persian walnut or royal walnut. The Common Walnut, of uncertain origin, is common in France. It can be recognised by its large deciduous leaves. Its trunk cracks as it ages. Its flowers appear in summer. They consist of elongated male catkins. The female flowers form smaller groups.
Bach Walnut Flower is suitable for people going through major changes. These changes include puberty, pregnancy, divorce, moving house and changing jobs. It makes it easier to adapt to these changes. Walnut helps to overcome the loss of friends or familiar surroundings. It is useful in times of bereavement or in the face of approaching death.
People who benefit from Walnut generally have specific ambitions. They may be influenced by external factors. These factors include dominant personalities, family constraints or attachments to the past. Walnut is useful for therapists and counsellors. It helps with emotionally demanding clients. It offers protection and stability against external influences.
Walnut’s positive potential manifests itself in the determination to achieve one’s goals. It allows you to remain free to carry out your plans. Despite the obstacles, criticism or discouragement of others.
What are the benefits of Walnut?
Walnut is a treasure trove of essential nutrients, making it an excellent natural remedy for maintaining good health in autumn. Its health benefits are many and varied, but here are some of the main ones:
Rich in antioxidants
Walnuts, the fruit of the walnut tree, are rich in antioxidants. These include polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin E. These compounds protect our bodies from free radicals. These unstable molecules can damage cells. The antioxidants in walnuts neutralise these free radicals. As a result, they reduce the risk of chronic diseases. These include heart disease, cancer and age-related disorders.
Strengthens the immune system
Autumn is a good time for respiratory infections, but walnuts can help strengthen our immune system. Walnuts are a valuable source of vitamin C, which plays an essential role in maintaining a strong immune system. Vitamin C stimulates the production of immune cells, strengthens the body’s defence barriers and helps fight infection. What’s more, walnuts also contain zinc, a mineral vital for optimal immune function. Zinc promotes the multiplication of immune cells and improves their ability to fight pathogens.
Promotes good heart health
Taking care of our heart is essential, and walnuts can play a beneficial role in preserving our heart health. Walnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to our cardiovascular system. These healthy fatty acids help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol), thereby helping to maintain a healthy lipid balance. What’s more, walnuts contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that promote healthy blood vessels, reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease.
Improves brain health
Brain health is crucial to our overall well-being, and walnuts can play a role in keeping it at its optimum level. Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats for brain function. These fatty acids help build the brain’s cell membranes and promote the transmission of nerve signals. By eating walnuts regularly, we can improve our concentration, memory and cognition. What’s more, the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts have been linked to a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
FAQ
Q : Does walnut have anti-inflammatory properties?
Yes, walnut contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. These substances can help reduce inflammation in the body and relieve the symptoms associated with certain inflammatory diseases.
Q : Can walnut help maintain good cholesterol levels?
A : Walnut contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids. These include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. They help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Studies show that eating walnuts regularly reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Q : Do walnuts have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health?
Yes, walnut is associated with numerous cardiovascular health benefits. The unsaturated fatty acids found in walnuts can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood vessel health, reducing inflammation and promoting better heart function.
Q: Can eating nuts help prevent type 2 diabetes?
Research shows that eating nuts regularly, including walnuts, helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Walnuts are high in fibre, healthy fatty acids and antioxidants. These components stabilise blood sugar levels. They also improve insulin sensitivity.
Q : Can walnut help to improve brain health?
Yes, walnuts are considered to be beneficial for brain health. The omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts are essential for brain development and function. They can help improve memory and concentration and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Q : Can walnuts help prevent certain types of cancer?
Walnuts contain a lot of antioxidants. Among them, polyphenols and carotenoids stand out. They have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Preliminary studies indicate that eating walnuts regularly may reduce the risk of cancer. These cancers include those of the breast, prostate and colon.
