Significance and Use of Walnut: A Review

Persian Walnut. Photo from Piklist.com. Free to use.

This review summarises ethnobotanical use, pharmacology, nutritional value, preclinical and clinical studies, toxicity, other uses and current research prospects of Juglans regia L. (Walnut).

Walnut leaf has been found to possess the following properties of potential clinical significance:

  • Antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-viral.
  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Antidiabetic.
  • Antityrosinase (against skin hyperpigmentation).
  • Anti-cancer

Walnut bark shares some of these properties but in particular, it is anthelmintic.

Walnut fruit (the nut) is antidepressant, antitrigliceridaemic, hepatoprotective, anti-amyloidogenic improves motor and cognitive performance.

Nael Abu Taha and Mohammed A. Al-wadaan (2021) Significance and use of walnut, Juglans regia Linn: A review. Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756Vol. 15 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2021.

Click to access significance-and-use-of-walnut-juglans-regia-linn-a-review.pdf

Plantago major improves liver enzyme levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Image: Jan Kops: Flora Batava, Volume 4 (1822). Public domain.

This randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial showed a reduction in liver enzymes ALT and AST as well as serum triglycerides in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who took 2 g Plantago major (Common Plantain) seed twice weekly for 12 weeks.

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2021/6693887/

Seyedeh Ferdows Jazayeri, Roshanak Ghods, Fataneh Hashem Dabaghian, Asie Shojaii, Seyed Ali Al-Hadi Moravej, Ebrahim Khadem, Seyed Saeed Seyedian, “The Efficacy of Plantago major Seed on Liver Enzymes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2021, Article ID 6693887, 7 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6693887

Foraging for Lavender in Ibiza

Join me on a magical, mystery foraging trip to a secret valley on the beautiful, rugged north coast of Ibiza:

  • Learn about Lavender and its uses to support health.
  • See the trolls cave.
  • Journey down a wild gulley.
  • Walk through an alien landscape.
  • See outstanding natural scenery.
  • With a modicum of philosophy thrown in.

Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants Used in Romania

This literature review details the phytochemistry of some commonly used medicinal plants in Romania. Many of the plants listed are common to use in other European countries. A PDF download of the full article is available from the link below.

Isabelle P, Monica B (2021) Highlighting the Compounds with Pharmacological Activity from Some Medicinal Plants from the Area of Romania. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angeles) 10: 370.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Monica-Butnariu/publication/349494201_Medicinal_Aromatic_Plants_Highlighting_the_Compounds_with_Pharmacological_Activity_from_Some_Medicinal_Plants_from_the_Area_of_Romania/

Stinging Nettle and Evening Primrose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from Iran indicates that taking Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) or Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) can reduce some of the biomarkers and inflammatory markers associated with rheumatoid arthritis, although over the three month period of the trial there was no significant difference in patients’ symptoms.

Abd-Nikfarjam B. et al. (2021). Therapeutic Efficacy of Urtica dioica and Evening Primrose in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Research Square. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-309562/v1 (Retrieved 30/03/2021).

N.B. This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal.