What is Black Walnut ?
Scientific Name: Juglans nigra
The Black Walnut or American Walnut Tree (Juglans nigra L.) is a species of flowering tree in the hickory family. Black walnut is native to eastern North America, where it grows, mostly alongside river banks, from southern Ontario, South Dakota, Northern Florida, Central Texas and even in Canada Black walnut trees are found in forests and are now also cultivated even in Europe for its high quality wood and nuts.
Black walnut has a long history of use even from ancient times as a wood source and for its delicious nuts. Black walnut is also used in traditional medicine, thought of to provide various health benefits including treatments for shingles, sores and swollen glands. Black walnut oil is also used to treat intestinal problems.
The Black Walnut or American Walnut Tree (Juglans nigra L.) is a species of flowering tree in the hickory family. Black walnut is native to eastern North America, where it grows, mostly alongside river banks, from southern Ontario, South Dakota, Northern Florida, Central Texas and even in Canada Black walnut trees are found in forests and are now also cultivated even in Europe for its high quality wood and nuts.
Black walnut has a long history of use even from ancient times as a wood source and for its delicious nuts. Black walnut is also used in traditional medicine, thought of to provide various health benefits including treatments for shingles, sores and swollen glands. Black walnut oil is also used to treat intestinal problems.
Health Benefits:
- Black walnut prevents heart disease. Walnut contains omega-3 fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid ( ALA) that improves arterial blood flow
- Black walnut lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Black walnut may help improve memory and brain functions. Studies in Purdue University suggest that deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids can trigger behavioral and mental problems including depression.
- Black walnut can prevent gallstones. Studies conducted to 80,000 women for over 20 years showed that those who ate nuts have less likely to develop gallbladder problems.
- Black walnut can improve sleep. Black walnut contains melatonin, a hormone used by the body to regulate sleep.
- Black walnut may fight cancer. Melatonin is studied to be a powerful anti-oxidant that fights free radicals that are responsible for the development of cancer cells. Black walnut also contains ellagic acid that neutralizes cancer causing substances.
- Omega-3 fatty acids found in black walnut can help lessen bone loss, such as in osteoporosis condition.
- Black walnut can help in weight loss. Study done on women who consume nuts twice a week showed reduced risk in weigh gain if compared with women who do not consume walnuts. Black walnut is believed to oxygenate the blood, consuming toxins and fatty substances.