Black walnut is a tree that was not originally distributed in Russia. The fruits of the tree and its leaves contain a large number of juglons, polyphenols and other useful components. But, as it turned out, it is possible to grow such a culture on the territory of our country. As a rule, this is done in the southern regions of the country. In the article, we consider the benefits and harms of black walnut oil.
Description of the appearance of the culture
The black walnut tree looks like the rest of the walnut trees, but there are some features that are characteristic of this culture:
- trunks of the plant are painted in a chocolate brown shade, the tree can reach a height of 50 meters;
- wood has a special strength, lends itself well to processing, because of which such material is widely used to create various wooden structures
- the tree has an attractive appearance and pleasant texture, which is why it is used in interior decoration and furniture indoors;
- tree crown vaulted, wide, tapering down;
- the roots are painted black, covered with deep cracks, germinate deep underground. The root system of the plant is pivotal.
The leaflets of the culture of the pinnate type are arranged in turn. Usually they are oval, slightly oblong and with small denticles along the border. In length they reach 10 centimeters, in width more than three. Cirrus venation. The leaves on the tree begin to form in April or May.
The black walnut tree is a monoecious culture. Stamens form single earrings, the length of which varies from 5 to 15 centimeters, and pistil - 5 flowers in one brush. Flowering of trees begins only from the age of 7-10 years (in April or May).
In a black walnut tree, the fruits are round ovoid and obovate nuts with a pointed apex. By size, the fruits can reach up to five centimeters in diameter. The peel of the nut is 0.5-1 centimeters. Inside the peel you can find a strong shell, which is not so easy to peel. Under it is a whole core - a nut that has an unusual smell. Nuts are considered oxidation resistant.
Varieties of walnut
Black walnut is a member of the genus Walnut, family Walnut, order Baciferous, class Dicotyledonous, department Floral. It also includes the following types of nuts:
- Greek
- Californian;
- Manchurian;
- Gray;
- small fruited;
- ailantolistic.
Places of growth
The homeland of black walnut is North America, where it is spread from Massachusetts to Florida and Texas. This culture was introduced to Russia in the mid-18th century. Today, the walnut tree is widespread in Europe, excluding the Scandinavian countries where the climate for this crop is too unfavorable. In our country, black walnut grows in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories.
Places of distribution of culture are as follows:
- deciduous forests;
- mountains characterized by fertile and moist soil;
- along the banks of water bodies;
- in the alleys
Methods of fruit collection and processing
The collection of nuts is carried out in autumn. To date, to facilitate the collection of the fruits of culture, specialists have designed specialized machines and devices for collecting. If there are no such devices, then you can assemble them yourself. Ripe nuts fall to the ground themselves. They can only be collected manually. Before harvesting, it is best to wear tight rubber gloves.
To accelerate the fall of ripened fruits on the ground, it is allowed to use sticks and other devices. They hit the branches of a tree, but you need to remember that such events can only harm the branches and leaves of the plant. Also, some fruits grow so high that it is simply impossible to get them.
After harvesting, nuts need to be processed. Such a procedure can be carried out using special devices. When self-processing, you should also wear tight rubber gloves, since the fruits of black walnut leave poorly washable spots.
The peel of ripe fruits can change from dark green to yellow-green. She is removed with a small knife. The second method: the opened peel is removed by hand, after crushing the shell.
Third method: opened nuts can be placed in a container of water. In this case, the peel will float to the surface, and the nuts themselves will remain at the bottom. After you need to dry the extracted fruits of the nut well. To separate the kernels from the shell, tongs, a vise and hammers can be used.
Storage Features
It is easiest to store nuts with shells. To do this, they should be put in a resealable container or packaged in cotton bags, then put in a dark and dry place. Using this method, nuts can be stored for six months.
Kernels should be kept in the refrigerator, preferably in the freezer. To do this, they are placed in a closed container (it is best to use sealed plastic containers for this) or in plastic bags. Can be placed in cling film.
In order to extend the storage time of both peeled and unpeeled nuts, as well as to prevent the negative effect of insects that only spoil the fruits, they should be calcined on a stove or in the oven.
The peeled kernels are heated in a pan. But it is important to remember that during the heat treatment, some useful properties of the product may disappear.
What is included in the composition?
The composition of the fruits of black walnut is very diverse. It contains the following components:
- essential oils;
- organic iodine;
- tannin, carotene;
- alkaloid jugladine;
- flavonoids;
- polyphenolic substance - juglon;
- glycoside, volatile;
- quinones;
- enzymes, sugars, tannins and other useful substances;
- stearic, arachinic, myristic, lauric, palmitic, linolenic, oleic acids.
The beneficial effect of walnut
Means prepared from the fruits and leaves of the culture have the following effects on the human body:
- sedative;
- blood and lymph cleansing;
- antispasmodic and vasodilator;
- absorbable and antitumor;
- anthelmintic and anti-toxic;
- anesthetic;
- anti-aging
- immunostimulating;
- antiemetic and tonic.
Black walnut oil: benefits and harms
What else is this culture useful for? From the fruits of the tree, black nut oil is obtained by extraction. Such a tool can be used in cooking, cosmetology or medicine.
It can be bought both in the supermarket and in any pharmacy. The use of black nut oil is recommended for:
- rickets and vitamin deficiency;
- hemorrhoids and thrombophlebitis;
- acute conjunctiva;
- inflammatory process in the genitals or disorders in the reproductive system;
- pyelonephritis, urethritis, cystitis, herpes, cutaneous tuberculosis, parasitic infestations;
- diabetes and thyroid problems
- for the prevention of influenza, SARS;
- eczema and other diseases of the dermis (acne, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, warts, allergic form of dermatitis);
- gastric and duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, dysbiosis, acute colitis and gastritis, a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system.
The product may also cause the following harm:
- causes allergies;
- has a high calorie content;
- excessive consumption can lead to vasospasm, as well as inflammation of the tonsils;
Application methods
How to take black walnut oil? There are special recipes for using such a tool:
- Treatment of dry eczema, herpes, psoriasis, shingles, fungal infections, boils, boils, domestic, as well as sunburn. For this, the oil is rubbed externally into the diseased parts of the body 2-3 times a day.
- Rinse the mouth. This helps to eliminate ulcers and abscesses, as well as prevent the development of periodontal disease.
- Special steam inhalations are prepared with oil for the treatment of colds. The procedures are carried out every day, using for this 2 teaspoons of black walnut oil per 250 milliliters of water.
- For oral administration, it is enough for adults to consume only half a teaspoon of oil three times a day 30 minutes before a meal. Children from three years old can take 10-15 drops also three times a day before meals. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
It is important to remember what black walnut oil has and contraindications. It is forbidden to use the tool:
- people whose body contains an excessive amount of iodine;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- with gastritis, cirrhosis, peptic ulcer;
- with high sensitivity;
- in the presence of thrombophlebitis.
You can store the finished oil for 2 years in a closed container, in the shade and at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Other usage methods
In the pharmacy you can also buy vegetable deodorized oil diluted with nut tincture. The finished product is sold in various stores in pharmacies and cosmetic departments. The main area of use of such a product is cosmetology. The tool helps to strengthen hair and restore skin.
Such a remedy is especially useful for girls with dry and problematic skin, unhealthy hair. Both home and professional masks with black walnut help restore hair health, restore their former smoothness and healthy radiance. Also, such a tool is actively used to eliminate inflammatory processes, especially if women have acne, rashes and irritations on the scalp. With such problems, oil should be consumed regularly. Another positive feature of such a tool is that it enriches hair and skin with vitamins and beneficial components.
To prepare a mask with walnut and black nut oils at home, take 10 ml each and mix them with cosmetic clay, add 3 drops of lemon essential oil. The product is applied to the skin for 20 minutes.
Also, for any type of skin, it is good to use a remedy that includes: chamomile infusion (50 ml), 10 ml of oil and half a tablespoon of henna. The finished mask is applied to the problem area for 10 minutes, then washed off.
Product Usage Reviews
Reviews about black walnut oil are mostly positive. Many women note the high effectiveness of the product in restoring the health of hair and skin, actively use it in the fight against various diseases. For medicinal purposes, oil should also be used regularly. External use is recommended for acne, warts, boils, lichen and psoriasis, burns and dermatitis. Ingestion may be prescribed if the patient has STDs.
In this case, a tablespoon of oil is drunk an hour before meals, treatment is carried out for 2 months. Inside, you can use the medicine for colds, during remission of ulcers and gastritis.
For cosmetic treatment, it is best to use deodorized oil, which you can buy in a simple pharmacy. With the purchase of specialized walnut cooking oil, everything is much more complicated, but it can also be found in some cosmetic stores.
We examined the dangers and benefits of black walnut oil. Walnut is also useful for the body, its oil is actively used in medicine and in cosmetology.