Akhrot – Juglans regia Medical Properties, Uses, Health Benefits, Dosage and Side effect
We all are very familiar with the nutritional benefits of various dry fruits like Akhrot, walnuts, almonds, Pistachio, etc. They all are the richest source of many minerals that are not found in our regular diet. That’s why they are very important for a regular diet. Here in this article, we will discuss the walnuts that are healthier to consume and have so many nutritional benefits. These nuts are considered brain tonic. They not only work as memory enhancers but also have several medicinal benefits. The oil extracted from it shows various health benefits and is used in the cosmetic industry for making formulations that prevent, treat acne, wrinkles, manage dry skin, etc.
- Latin Name: Juglans regia
- Family: Juglandaceae
Akhrot Names in different languages:
- English Name: Walnut
- Hindi Name: Akhrot, Akroot, Akrot
- Sanskrit Name: Karparala, Aksot, Sailabhava
- Punjabi Name: Akharota
- Tamil Name: Akrottu
- Kannada Name: Akrotu, Akaroda pappu
- Marathi Name: Akrod
Akhrot Synonyms in the Sanskrit language:
Gudahraya, Swadu majja – Fruit is hidden inside the shell and resembles jaggery in color and shape.
Vrintaphala – Its fruit is round in shape
Other synonyms are Keereshta, karparala, Shailasambhava, Akshoda, Pilu, etc.
This shloka means that synonyms of akhrot are Shailbhav pilu, akshot, karpral. It resembles almonds and increases Kapha and Pitta dosha.
(Reference- Bhavaprakash Nighatu, Page no. 579 and Shloka no. 29)
Morphological characteristics:
There are various species of walnut trees and these are deciduous trees. They grow up to the height of 30 to 130 ft. Leaves are pinnate with 5 to 25 leaflets that are toothed or serrated. The main leaf is attached to wings in an alternate segment and the structure of the leaf is oddly pinnately compound. Its fruit is covered in thick and green husk when it is unripe and when it ripens, the fruit bursts and opens this thick husk, and fruit with a hard shell comes out. Because of the 50% fat content of the kernels, the nut has an oily taste. Flowers are of two types male and female.
In India, it is native to Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and other northeastern states in India. In other countries, it is native to the USA and Canada.
Properties:
- Rasa (Taste)- Madhura (Sweet)
- Guna (Quality)- Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Smooth), and Sara (flowing nature)
- Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (hot)
- Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion)- Madhura (Sweet)
- Karma (Action)- Vata shamaka (pacifies vitiated vata dosha)
Properties of black and dried walnuts:
- Rasa- Tikta (Bitter) and Madhura (mildly sweet)
- Guna- Guru (heavy)
- Veerya (Potency)- Sheet (Cold)
- Vipaka (undergoes taste conversion after digestion)- Katu (Pungent)
Properties of dry roasted walnuts with added salt-
- Rasa (Taste)- Katu (Bitter)
- Guna (Quality)- Not very heavy and unctuous
- Veerya (Potency)- not very cold because walnut is cold in potency and salt is hot in potency
- Vipaka (undergoes taste conversion after digestion)- Katu (pungent)
Categorization according to classical books:
- Raja Nighantu- Amradi varga
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu- Amradi varga
- Dhanvantari Nighantu- Amradi varga
Main chemical composition:
Leaves contain a volatile oil which comprises terpenoid substances and eugenol. Oil contains limonene, alpha and beta pinene, geranic acid, juglone, beta eudesmol, etc. Its root bark has oligomeric juglones and bis juglones. Fruit kernels have 2% mineral matter, 15.5% protein, 11% carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, and vitamin A and B as well.
Uses according to Ayurveda:
- Guru – Heavy to digest
- Snigdha – Oily and unctuous
- Pushtikaraka – Rich in nutrition
- Brumhnana – Nutritious and nourishing
- Balya – Improves immunity and strength
- Ushna – Hot
It is indicated in rakta dosha (blood impurity) and various conditions like skin disorders, bleeding disorders, acne, etc
Common uses of Akhrot:
- Regular use of roasted walnuts improves physical strength and treats patients with general debility and muscle weakness.
- Mix its bark with butter or ghee, make a paste, and apply it over the affected areas in herpes.
- Leaves decoction in a dose of 30 to 40 ml is used to treat intestinal wounds
- Paste of tree bark is applied over the fresh wound.
- The decoction is useful in gargling to treat dental caries and gingivitis.
- It is used in various cuisines and works as a nutritional and flavoring agent in dishes.
Therapeutic uses ok Akhrot:
Wrinkles: Wrinkles are due to lack of moisture content, and dry skin. As per Ayurveda, it occurs due to the aggravation of vata dosha in the body. Akhrot has anti-wrinkle properties and is oily that helps in controlling wrinkles by increasing the moisture content in the skin. Gentle massages on the skin regularly will be very helpful. It also prevents neuron degeneration due to aging and improves cognition.
Blackheads: Scrubbing with akhrot is very useful in treating skin disorders like blackheads, dead skin, etc. It provides youthful skin by removing dead skin cells gently and removes impurities and clogging from the pores of the skin. Do it twice a week by adding honey to it. It also inhibits the secretion of oily matter in the sebaceous glands. This fruit also reduces redness and swelling around acne because of its anti-inflammatory property.
Constipation: Akhrot contains purgative and laxative properties that help to pass out the stool easily and relieves constipation. It also shows anti-inflammatory properties, which help to remove inflammation in the body. Being an antioxidant, it helps to reduce the damage caused by free radicals.
Blood pressure: Akhrot helps to manage blood pressure because of the presence of Alpha-linolenic acid that boosts up the production of nitric oxide. This fruit also helps to dilate or relax the narrowed blood vessels and lowers down the blood pressure. As per Ayurveda, it manages the cholesterol levels because of the ushna property that digest the ama. Being a cardiac tonic helps in supporting the proper functioning of the heart, which regularizes blood pressure.
Akhrot Part used:
Bark, leaves, and fruits
Akhrot Dosage:
- Powder- 2 to 3 gm
- Fruit- 10 to 20 gm
- Decoction- 40 to 50 ml
Conclusion:
From this article, it is concluded that Akhrot can be used in various forms in dry as well as fresh form. But poorly stored akhrot which are having fungal molds can cause a carcinogenic effect on the body. This fruit also contains polyphenols that can cause skin irritation too.
Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Akhrot ’s benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume Akhrot on the basis of this information. Before taking Akhrotas a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.
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