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| Walnut plants for sale |
Family: Juglandaceae (Walnut Family)
Cashmerian name : Doon
Urdu/Hindi name : Akhroat
English : Walnut
Walnut
is the most important fruit of Kashmir. It is grown in Jammu and
Kashmir. It also grown in Ramban, Kishtwar (JK), Himachal pardesh and
Uttarakhand. Jammu and Kashmir is the main Walnut producing Himalayan
tiny country contributing more than 88.4% of the total production.
Walnut is exported to more than 49 countries with the annual earning of
more than 143 crores INR as foreign exchange as on date. In JK latest
annual production of 183474 M tones (2011).
Medicinal
use of Walnut : The walnut tree has a long history of medicinal use,
being used in folk medicine to treat a wide range of complaints. The
leaves are alterative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, astringent and
depurative. They are used internally the treatment of constipation,
chronic coughs, asthma, diarrhoea, dyspepsia etc. The leaves are also
used to treat skin ailments and purify the blood. They are considered to
be specific in the treatment of strumous sores. Male inflorescences are
made into a broth and used in the treatment of coughs and vertigo. The
rind is anodyne and astringent. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea
and anaemia. The seeds are antilithic, diuretic and stimulant. They are
used internally in the treatment of low back pain, frequent urination,
weakness of both legs, chronic cough, asthma, constipation due to
dryness or anaemia and stones in the urinary tract. Externally, they are
made into a paste and applied as a poultice to areas of dermatitis and
eczema. The oil from the seed is anthelmintic. It is also used in the
treatment of menstrual problems and dry skin conditions. The cotyledons
are used in the treatment of cancer. Walnut has a long history of folk
use in the treatment of cancer, some extracts from the plant have shown
anticancer activity. The bark and root bark are anthelmintic, astringent
and detergent. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords
for prescribing it are "Oversensitive to ideas and influences" and "The
link-breaker".
Habitat of the herb :
Forests in the Himalayas, preferring a northerly aspect in the west but a
southerly or westerly aspect in the east of the range.
Edible
parts of Walnut : Seed - eaten raw or used in confections, cakes, ice
cream etc. A delicious flavour. The seed can also be ground into a meal
and used as a flavouring in sweet and savoury dishes. The unripe fruits
are pickled in vinegar. An edible oil is obtained from the seed, it
should not be stored for any length of time since it tends to go rancid
quickly. The oil has a pleasant flavour and is used in salads or for
cooking. The sap is tapped in spring and used to make a sugar. The
finely ground shells are used in the stuffing of "agnolotti" pasta. They
have also been used as adulterant of spices. The dried green husks
contain 2.5 - 5% ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - this can be extracted and
used as a vitamin supplement. The leaves are used as a tea.
Other
uses of the herb : A yellow dye is obtained from the green husks. It is
green. The green nuts (is this the same as the green husks?) and the
leaves are also used. The rind of unripe fruits is a good source of
tannin. A brown dye is obtained from the leaves and mature husks. It
does not require a mordant and turns black if prepared in an iron pot.
The dye is often used as a colouring and tonic for dark hair. The leaves
and the husks can be dried for later use. A golden-brown dye is
obtained from the catkins in early summer. It does not require a
mordant. A drying oil is obtained from the seed. It is used in soap
making, paints, etc. It is not very stable and quickly goes rancid. The
nuts can be used as a wood polish. Simply crack open the shell and rub
the kernel into the wood to release the oils. Wipe off with a clean
cloth. The dried fruit rind is used to paint doors, window frames etc
(it probably protects the wood due to its tannin content). The shells
may be used as anti-skid agents for tyres, blasting grit, and in the
preparation of activated carbon. The leaves contain juglone, this has
been shown to have pesticidal and herbicidal properties. The crushed
leaves are an insect repellent. Juglone is also secreted from the roots
of the tree, it has an inhibitory effect on the growth of many other
plants. Bark of the tree and the fruit rind are dried and used as a
tooth cleaner. They can also be used fresh. Wood - heavy, hard, durable,
close grained, seasons and polishes well. A very valuable timber tree,
it is used for furniture making, veneer etc.
Propagation
of Walnut : The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual
deep pots in a cold frame. You need to protect it from mice, birds,
squirrels etc. The seed usually germinates in late winter or the spring.
Plant out the seedlings into their permanent positions in early summer
and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two.
The seed can also be stored in cool moist conditions (such s the salad
compartment of a fridge) over the winter and sown in early spring but it
may then require a period of cold stratification before it will
germinate. Named varieties are propagated by budding.
Cultivation
of the herb: Forests in the Kashmir Himalayas, preferring a northerly
aspect in the west but a southerly or westerly aspect in the east of the
range.
For more details:-
Sheikh GULZAAR
Head
The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
R&D division : Sonamarag (Kashmir)
Ph: (Resi) 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
