Walnuts are called one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Persia (now Iran) is considered their homeland, and the "biography", according to scientists, began tens of thousands of years ago. During this time, she was overgrown with legends about the mighty power of trees, the fruits of which resemble a human brain.
The ancient Greeks called nuts the acorns of the gods, considered them an aphrodisiac, awakening extinct feelings. Traditional healers made a medicine for female infertility, the basis of which was a walnut with honey.
The Romans had a tradition of throwing walnuts at the bride and groom. The newlyweds getting married were obliged to have medicinal fruits in stock. This served as a guarantee of the birth of children.
The great healer Avicenna advised to include nuclei in the diet of women to restore strength and saturate the body with useful substances. The fruits were included in the famous Hippocrates paste, which was used in the treatment of the heart. In tsarist Russia, the nut was called the “tree of life,” and the biologist Ivan Michurin was called the bread of the future.
Everything is useful in a walnut: from tops to roots. In folk medicine, immature flowers, leaves, fruits, bark, roots are used. The shells, kernels and internal partitions are powerful.
Nuts, which were called "walnuts" in Russia, are called differently in each state. The ancient Romans spoke of fruits simply: "nut". The ancient Greeks called them "Persian", "royal", because they knew about the place of origin. By the way, in ancient Persia, only members of the royal family enjoyed the fruits.
Why walnuts are useful for the female body
Walnuts contain a large amount of dietary fiber, good cholesterol, fatty acids, vitamins. The nutritional value of the product is so high that it is recommended to use it with different diets, during the period of treatment and recovery of the body after severe injuries and illnesses.
The ability to have a positive effect on brain activity is used by knowledge workers. A scanty portion of nuclei helps to maintain not only emotional, but also physical condition in normal condition.
Growing regions
A long-term walnut can live for about 200-500 years if grown on site. The tree grows in Central Asia, Iran, in the Caucasus, where it first appeared 8 thousand years ago. In the wild, the age of a walnut can reach 1,000 years.
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Wild walnut often occupies northern, western and eastern mountain slopes, gorges, river valleys. The tree occupies a height of 1.5-2 km above sea level on the slopes. There are small groups of nuts, freestanding individuals, groves - in rare cases.
The cultivated plant grows in India, China, Greece, Japan, Transcaucasia, Asia Minor and Central, Ukraine and Western Europe. In Russia, the nut grows in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the Kuban, in the Rostov Region. Plants hardly tolerate the harsh climate of the northern regions of Russia, but the cultivation of cold-resistant varieties is widespread.
In central Russia, varieties of walnut imported from eastern Ukraine, the Caucasus or the Central Asian mountainous region are being mastered. The European part of Russia is more convenient for growing a plant, therefore culture is found over a large areafrom the foothills of the Caucasus to St. Petersburg.
The content of useful chemical compounds in 100 g of the product
Women prone to overweight should take into account that nuts are predominantly fat. Uncontrolled use of the product leads to an increase in body weight.
Calorie content
The health benefits of walnuts for women can be assessed by considering the following factors.
- The nuclei are recommended to be used after childbirth, surgical interventions for gynecological pathologies. The product contributes to the rapid restoration of blood loss, improves physical condition.
- Regular consumption of nuts prevents the development of varicose veins. This is something to take note of for lovers of high-heeled shoes.
- With uterine fibroids, tincture from the shell helps well.
- During menopause, in order to stabilize the psycho-emotional background, experts advise eating a handful of walnuts. This will increase the body's resistance to stress and nervous strain.
- Infusions of leaves, shells, and kernels are recommended for the preparation of folk remedies for cleansing the liver.
- The nuclei help pregnant and breastfeeding women to enrich the body with nutrients. The product should be added to the menu often, but in small portions.
- Regular consumption of the product helps to stabilize blood pressure. This advice should be adopted by hypertensive patients.
- Nuts normalize the functioning of the hematopoietic system. They are used as a prophylaxis for heart and vascular diseases.
Before introducing a product into the daily menu, you should consult your doctor. This is especially true for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. The recommended daily allowance is 30-50 g.
Tincture of green walnuts for the thyroid gland
Prepare a tincture of green walnuts in two ways. The first involves the use of vodka, the second - alcohol. The process should start with building the main product. It will take about 25-30 pieces. A stale nut is not suitable for medicine, you need to pick the kernels directly from the tree.
Algorithm for the preparation of a medicinal product:
- rinse the green fruits well;
- cut them into circles (slice thickness - 0.5 mm);
- fill a sterilized liter jar with blanks for 1/3 of the total volume;
- fill the container up to the neck with vodka;
- put in a dark place for 2 weeks (it is recommended to keep the temperature regime within 20-22 ° С);
- after settling, strain the contents of the jar, pour the liquid into a clean glass container (preferably from dark glass), close it tightly with a lid.
The second version of the tincture is prepared from diluted alcohol in the same way. It is not recommended to use pure ethanol. Under the influence of an aggressive environment, most of the useful microelements will disappear, from which the remedy will lose its medicinal properties.
Bottled or spring water is suitable for diluting pure alcohol. The fortress should not exceed 70%.
Tincture of green kernels is used for various pathologies. Many people know the remedy as an effective cure for hypothyroidism. You can restore the functionality of the thyroid gland by taking the drug in 1 tbsp. l. three times per day. This should be done after eating in 1-1.5 hours. The minimum course duration is 1 month.
Planting in the garden
When planning the creation of a walnut garden on your site, you need to adhere to the following rules:
- If you want to plant several trees in one area, then keep in mind that they have a spreading crown and a very branched root system. Therefore, the distance between the planting pits for seedlings should be at least 5-6 meters.
- An adult nut has a dense and lush crown, which can block other plantings from the sun. Also, such a large tree needs a lot of moisture and nutrients for healthy growth and development, the plant pulls all these elements from the soil around it. Therefore, when choosing a place for a seedling, remember that within a radius of 10 meters from the tree, other crops will not be able to grow, let alone bear fruit.
- Do not plant walnut near buildings. Its roots can provoke the destruction of the foundation.
- The tree loves sunlight, in a dark place it will lag behind in development, and then die.
- This plant will do well in loose, drained soil. Do not locate it in areas with high groundwater levels, or prone to flooding during rains and floods.
- Do not plant other fruit trees next to the nut, as during the process of photosynthesis it will release substances that have a detrimental effect on such plants.
Climate requirements
This thermophilic plant is best grown in southern regions. In the central part of Russia, it is also able to take root, and then regularly bear fruit, but only if the air temperature in winter does not drop below 25 degrees. Severe frosts in most cases lead to the death of the tree.
Today you can buy seedlings of hybrid walnut forms. Some of them are able to withstand temperatures up to 30 degrees below zero, but they will not be able to boast of a bountiful harvest, and they do not bear fruit every year.
If the winter cold leads to freezing of branches and shoots, then nuts in this season can not be expected. Adult trees tolerate drought and heat calmly, and young plants (up to five years old) need to be watered 2-3 times a month. In especially dry times, the amount of watering should be increased.
Planting trees in the ground
The time of planting seedlings depends on the region:
- The southern strip is autumn. Then the tree will have time to take root before the onset of winter and will not waste energy on growing the crown. He will not need additional care at this time of the year. If you decide to plant a seedling in the spring, then it will not have time to get used to a new place and will die from the heat with the onset of summer.
- The middle strip is mid-spring. In such regions, the heat comes late, so the tree will have time to get stronger and take root.
When a suitable place is chosen and the time for boarding has come, you can start the process itself:
- Dig a planting hole 50x50 cm in size and 45-55 cm deep.
- Fill the bottom with drainage material; 50% of the pit should be filled with it. For this purpose, crushed stone, clay shards, expanded clay, broken brick are perfect. This technique will help slightly shift the beginning of the growing season. The stones will warm up later than the ground and the tree will begin to bloom, skipping the last frost.
- Fill the remaining space with fertile soil mixed with wood ash and humus (you can replace it with compost).
- Drive a peg into the center of the landing pit. It will serve as a support for the tree until the lateral roots begin to develop.
- Place the seedling in the hole up to the root collar. It should be level with the soil.
You can also try growing a new tree from walnut.It is believed that a plant obtained in this way will develop more successfully, since it will have time to adapt to new conditions even at the seed stage. For this:
- Dig a hole 7-10 centimeters deep.
- Place the walnut in it with the seam down.
- Cover with fertile soil and water.
- In addition to watering, the seedlings will not need anything else. In the middle lane there are no pests that could covet such a plant.
It is worth noting that if you want to plant a bone in the spring, then place it in wet sand 2-3 months before. This will help the nut prepare for planting and increase the chances of germination.
Application of walnut partitions
Many people do not suspect that the membranes of walnuts contain a lot of nutrients. Throwing them out with waste, you lose the chance to recover in a safe way.
- The partitions contain valuable chemical compounds for the skin. Thanks to organic acids and essential oils, a tonic and rejuvenating effect is achieved. In folk medicine, there are options for preparing products based on the membranes of walnuts, which help get rid of wrinkles and improve complexion.
- Antioxidants help to slow down the aging process, and ascorbic acid helps to strengthen weakened immunity.
- Decoctions and infusions on the membranes of walnuts have a positive effect on the nervous system of women. It is especially important to use the healing properties of the available product during menopause, when sleep disturbances are noted, anxiety increases.
- To cure or alleviate the condition with mastopathy, fibroids, funds based on nut septa also help.
- Zinc, which is part of the nuclear waste, normalizes the functionality of the endocrine glands, stabilizes the synthesis of hormones. It is effectively used in the treatment of pathologies of the female reproductive system.
Funds based on walnut partitions are recommended for patients who have an irregular menstrual cycle. Tinctures and decoctions should be used during the preparation for motherhood, as well as those who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases.
Drugs from the septa help to strengthen the heart muscle, the walls of blood vessels. After taking a course, their tone increases, which is the prevention of heart attack and stroke.
A polluted environment and reduced protective functions of the body negatively affect the functionality of the thyroid gland. Thanks to the iodine content in walnut waste, it is possible to restore its work.
Walnuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding
For pregnant women in the second and third trimester, it is useful to eat walnuts. Therefore, doctors recommend including the ingredient in the daily menu. The weekly rate should not exceed 2-3 kernels. Do not exceed the dose, the high content of protein foods can negatively affect the health of the child. In addition, abuse of the product leads to the development of congenital allergies in the baby.
The maximum amount of nutrients is found in raw nuts. Heat treatment provokes the release of toxic compounds.
Benefits for pregnant women:
- enrichment of the body with vitamins, amino acids and other valuable microelements;
- beneficial effect on the development of the fetus;
- increasing protective functions;
- strengthening the neural tube of the fetus;
- prevention of constipation;
- stabilization of the psycho-emotional background.
Wash nuts in warm water before eating. They should have a solid carapace free from mold and mildew.
Walnuts contain a lot of iron, which is especially necessary for pregnant women with anemia. The product quickly replenishes blood loss, therefore it is recommended to use it after childbirth.
When the baby is not gaining weight well, the nursing mother is regulated the diet. Among the appointments: products of high fat content.The inclusion of walnuts in the menu helps to increase the fat content of breast milk. This makes it possible to avoid the use of fatty foods saturated with harmful carbohydrates.
Other beneficial properties include:
- normalization of stool in a nursing mother and child;
- prevention of constipation;
- prevention of viral infections, colds and cardiovascular diseases;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels (important for women suffering from frequent headaches).
Contraindications and possible harm
Women with the following conditions should not eat walnuts:
- stomach ulcer;
- hypertension;
- skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema);
- intestinal disorders;
- thrombophilia;
- obesity;
- allergy to nuts or protein;
- predisposition to thrombosis;
- an excess of iodine in the body.
The use of the product in large quantities is harmful to the body in the form inflammation of the tonsils, intestinal disorders, headache.
Also, you can not eat spoiled nuts.: with cracks or dark spots on the shell, darkened kernels, bitter taste, yellow powder inside the shell.
How much should you eat after 50 years
The daily norm of walnuts should not exceed 2-5 pieces. With regular consumption of cereals, proteins and fats, the permissible number of kernels is reduced to 2-3 pcs. in Week. It is better to eat them in the morning on an empty stomach. So it will be easier for the body to process a high-calorie product.
Nuts are preferably eaten raw. During heat treatment, the nutritional value of the kernels decreases. The product of the last harvest possesses medicinal properties. Blanks 2-3 years ago lose the lion's share of micro and macro elements.
Women over 50 are not recommended to exceed the daily intake of walnuts. This warning is due to the high calorie content of the product. Controlling weight at this age is more difficult.
Nuts go well with almost all ingredients. The body assimilates them well in combination with raisins, figs, dried apricots, and prunes. However, nutritionists advise against eating kernels with milk derivatives, fish and fatty meats. For the pancreas, this will be a big load.
Impact on weight loss
Despite the calorie content of walnuts, scientists have confirmed their benefits in the fight against obesity.
Nutritionists advise eating nuts in combination with a low-carb diet when losing weight. In addition to enriching the body with nutrients, the product performs a responsible function - it suppresses appetite, reduces the amount of food. Nuts reduce the amount of lipids in the blood, provide an anti-inflammatory effect.
For proper weight loss, it is recommended to eat no more than 20-30 g of nuts per day. Shredded kernels are added to soups, salads and other dishes.
Description and characteristics
The walnut tree has a wide spreading crown, its height reaches 30 m. The length of the main root of the tree, which has reached 80 years, is about 5-7 m, and the lateral roots are 12 m. Branching is due to a developed root system, the radius of which is about 20 m. If the aboveground part of the nut dies, then the root collar begins to release offspring. The trunk diameter is about 2 m. The color of the bark is light gray.
The shape of the leaves is complex, since they are whole-edged, pinnate, and serrated. The structure of the leaf includes 5-9 individual, elongated leaves. The leaf plate has a strong odor. Their total length is about 4-7 cm.
Nuts in cosmetology
The fruits of the healing tree are also widely used in cosmetology. Nut infusions and decoctions, as well as crushed kernels are used as the main component of products for the skin of the face and hair. Thanks to amino acids, it is possible to regulate the work of the sebaceous glands, enrich cells with valuable substances, and moisturize dry strands.
Walnut oil helps to eliminate the fragility of the stem, to stop the balding process. Among the huge number of masks, the following options are popular.
Nourishing face mask
Pour boiling water (150 ml) on dry plantain and St. John's wort (2 tbsp each) and bring to a boil, turning on the burner to the minimum setting. After cooling, you need to strain the broth. Add walnuts crushed into crumbs (3-4 pcs.) And rowan juice (30 ml).
After applying the mixture, allow it to be absorbed for 20 minutes. The residues are removed with warm water. It is recommended to complete the procedure by rubbing your face with ice cubes.
You need to make a mask once every 1-2 weeks.
Nut mask for damaged hair
Grind 10 kernels using a blender. Mix the powder with olive oil (2 tablespoons) and lemon juice (1 tablespoon). All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and heated in a water bath. Massage the product into the scalp. A plastic kerchief and a terry towel are put on over the mask. After 40 minutes, the hair is washed with a caring shampoo.
The procedures are repeated once a week for 2 months.
Walnut and celandine baths
Water treatments are useful for eliminating dermatological problems and treating pathologies of the lymph glands. The product is prepared from 1 kg of walnut leaves (fresh or dry are suitable) and 2 tbsp. l. dried celandine. In 2 liters of water for 20 minutes. boil the listed ingredients, and then filter. Add a portion to the water-filled bath. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. with repetitions 1 p. in Week.
Walnut care
To grow a healthy and strong walnut tree on your site, you do not need to spend a lot of time and effort on caring for it. However, some of the intricacies of this process are worth familiarizing yourself with:
- Young trees should be watered twice a month in spring and summer. One plant will have to spend about 30 liters of water per watering. Adult trees need water only during prolonged drought.
- Every autumn, potash and phosphorus fertilizers should be added to the soil under the tree. In the spring - nitrogen fertilizers.
- This plant does not require pruning. But if it becomes necessary to remove dry or frozen branches, do it in early June. After the procedure, treat each cut with natural linseed oil or garden varnish.
All this is within the power of most gardeners!
Recipes
Walnuts are no less popular in cooking. They make the dishes hearty and tasty, and add a distinct Caucasian touch. Using any of the recipes described below, you can diversify not only the daily diet, but also the festive table.
Green walnut jam
Ingredients | |
| Name | Qty |
| Green walnuts | 1 kg |
| Water | 450 ml |
| Sugar sand | 700-800 g |
| Soaking solution | |
| Water | 3 l |
| Baking soda | 150 g |
Preparation:
- put on gloves so as not to smear your hands;
- using a vegetable cutter, remove the thin peel from the fruit;
- pour cleaned blanks with clean water and leave in it for 3 days (you need to change the water 2 times a day);
- soak the fruits for 3 hours in a special soda solution;
- rinse the nuts at least 3-5 times under running water:
- leave the workpiece in clean water for a day;
- pour the nuts with water in the dose indicated in the table;
- after boiling for 10 minutes, drain the water and add the same amount of clean liquid;
- after 10-12 hours, boil again for 10 minutes and replace the water;
- the third time the nuts are boiled in syrup (until the fruits become soft).
Georgian eggplant with walnuts
Ingredients | |
| Name | Qty |
| Walnuts | 100 g |
| Eggplant | 500 g |
| Hmeli-suneli | ½ tsp |
| Vinegar | ½ tsp |
| Cilantro | 20 g |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
| Ground black pepper | pinch |
| Salt | taste |
| Parsley | 20 g |
Preparation:
- Cut eggplants into slices 2 mm thick, soak for 15 minutes. in salt water;
- dry the slices with a paper towel;
- fry the slices in a dry frying pan or grill;
- chop nuts, herbs and seasonings until puree with a blender;
- the filling is applied in portions to each slice and wrapped in a roll.
Stuffed prunes with walnuts
Ingredients | |
| Name | Qty |
| Prunes (pitted) | 1 kg |
| Nuts | 200 g |
| Sour cream 20% | 200 g |
| Sugar | Taste |
Preparation:
- rinse the prunes and dry with a paper towel;
- make an incision in it on the one hand;
- put a slice of the kernel inside;
- beat sour cream with sugar until creamy;
- put prunes in a shallow form in one layer;
- pour it with a piece of sour cream;
- lay out another layer of prunes;
- refill with gas station;
- the last layer should be sour cream;
- put the dish in the refrigerator for 6-10 hours.
As a decoration, you can use mint leaves, candied orange slices or pomegranate.
Collection and storage
Walnut bears fruit depending on age. Moreover, each year is significantly different from the previous one. On average, it is able to give fruit per year in the following volumes:
- at 9 years old - 5 kg;
- at 20 years old - 100 kg;
- at 40 years old - 200 kg;
- at 50 years old - 250 kg.
Ripe nuts are considered to be large in size, with a thin shell. Another acceptable option is the elongated-oval shape of the fruit with a fairly dense shell. The latter have a smaller core than the former. The kernels of the nuts should be firm and firm, and have a golden color. If the fruit weighs a little, then they are often empty inside.
Apple variety Champion: description and characteristics, care
The harvested nut crop is better preserved in the sun. Fruits can be stored in ventilated areas, turning over daily. Storage duration is 2-3 days. Dry fruits are stored in wooden boxes or cloth bags. Packaged nuts are best stored in dry, dark rooms for six months.
