Plant Description:

Walnuts are slow growing trees up to 40 m tall with aromatic, pinnate foliage with silvery bark. All parts have a distinct sweet, aromatic smell. The fruits have a green husk around the nut, enclosing a kernel wrinkled like a brain. Juglans regia, the common or Persian walnut, is native to western Asia. Introduced to the Mediterranean basin before the first century BC, it became an important food in many regions and was also grown for timber. Now beautiful engraved furniture is made from this tree in Pakistan and Kashmir.

Health Benefits of Walnuts:

• Hearty Healthy:

  Due to the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the walnuts, they lower the cholesterol and prevent heart disease. 1/3 cups walnut consumed each day can significantly reduce bad cholesterol that blocks the arteries. Walnuts, like any nuts, are fatty and have high calorie content, so use sparingly.

• Boost immune system:

  Research shows that women who ate 5 oz. of walnuts each week, reduced their chances of getting type 2 diabetes by 27%!

• Boost immune system:

  Walnuts have high amounts of antioxidants in them that help keep your immune system healthy and prevent the onset of diseases.
• The Omega 3 Fatty acids present in the Walnuts are also good for the brain.

• Cancer Care:

  Consuming a few walnuts each day can help keep the risk of breast cancer away.

• Pregnancy Health:

  Walnuts contain B Complex vitamins like folates, riboflavin and thiamin, necessary for pregnant women and the fetus.

• Other Benefits:

  Those with inflammatory diseases like asthma, arthritis and eczema can also benefit from walnuts.

Hair Benefits of Walnuts:

With factors like pollution, hectic lifestyle and poor eating habits, our hair is more dull and damaged than ever before. Adding walnuts to your diet, or used externally as an oil, can improve the health and color of your hair.

• Long and strong hair:

  Walnuts are good sources of potassium, Omega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9 fatty acid, which all strengthen the hair follicles, giving you longer, stronger, healthier, and glowing hair.

• Prevents balding:

  Studies show that regular use of walnut oil can stimulate your scalp and hair growth.

• Natural anti-dandruff agent:

  Walnut oil is widely used in producing hair oils due to its rich moisturizing properties. Hence, it is widely suggested as a natural anti-dandruff agent.

• Healthier scalp:

  Regular application of walnut oil keeps the scalp moisturized and hydrated, thus preventing issues like dermatitis. The anti-fungal properties of walnut oil are beneficial in preventing infections like ones triggered by ringworms.

• Highlight your hair color naturally with walnuts:

  The husk of walnuts is a natural coloring agent that could accentuate the natural highlights of your hair. Walnut oil contains a rich amount of assorted proteins. These help in improving the color of the hair, while giving it a healthier glow.

• Regain hair color:

  Walnuts contain melatonin, which is a color-changing hormone. Studies show that eating walnuts regularly (1-2oz. daily) can also bring back your natural hair color (even during old age) and prevent further greying.

Skin Benefits of Walnuts:

• Delay ageing:

  The presence of B-vitamins and Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, helps fight free radicals due to stress, thus delaying the ageing process.

• Moisturizing:

  Walnut oil helps keep the skin moisturized. It nourishes the skin from within, enhancing the growth of healthier and radiant cells. It is great for dry, dull and dehydrated skin.

• Dark circles treatment:

  Regular application of warm walnut oil is known to lighten dark circles around the eyes. The oil extracted from walnuts is known to soothe the skin and ease puffiness and relax your eyes, retaining its glow and color.

Bibliography:

1. Graedon, Terry. Cancer. The Peoples Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies. By Joe Graedon. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2011. 136.