English Walnut
OTHER NAME(S): Akhrot, Akschota, Arbre au Sommeil, California Walnut, Coque de Noix, Feuille de Noyer Commun, Fructus Cortex, Gland Divin, Gland de Jupiter, He Tao, He Tao Shu Zhi, Hu Tao Ren, Juglans, Juglandis, Juglandis Folium, Nogal, Noix Anglaise, Noix de Grenoble, Noix Italienne, Noix Perse, Noyer Commun, Noyer de Grenoble, Noyer Royal, Persian Walnut, Walnussblätter, Walnussfrüchtschalen, Walnut, Walnut Fruit, Walnut Hull, Walnut Leaf, Juglans regia, Nogal Inglés, Noyer Anglais
Overview
English walnut is a tree. The fruit (nut) is a popular food. The nut, the shell of the nut (hull), and the leaf are used to make medicine.
The nut is used as a part of the diet to lower cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. The nut, shell, and leaf are used for many other conditions, including diabetes, stomach problems, and skin conditions. But there is no good scientific research to support the use of English walnut for any of these other conditions.
In foods, English walnut is commonly eaten as a snack, in baking, and in salads.
The nut of the English walnut contains chemicals called fatty acids, which might be useful as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet. It also contains chemicals that can expand blood vessels, possibly improving circulation and the way the heart works. Some of these chemicals might also help with swelling, pain, and cancer.
The nut of the English walnut contains chemicals called fatty acids, which might be useful as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet. It also contains chemicals that can expand blood vessels, possibly improving circulation and the way the heart works. Some of these chemicals might also help with swelling, pain, and cancer.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- High cholesterol. Eating walnuts as part of a low-fat diet seems to lower cholesterol. Total cholesterol and "bad cholesterol" (LDL) are decreased when walnuts are eaten instead of fatty foods and account for up to 20% of the calories in the diet. Substituting walnuts for other dietary fats also seems to improve the ratio between "good cholesterol" (HDL cholesterol) and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Heart disease. Eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet may help prevent heart disease. But research is limited.
- Diabetes. Some research suggests that taking English walnut leaf extract helps to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but other research does not agree. More research is needed.
- Acne.
- Anemia.
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema).
- Diarrhea.
- Infection of the intestines by parasites.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
- Ulcers.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of English walnut for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: The fruit (nut), shell, and leaf of English walnut are LIKELY SAFE for most people when eaten in usual food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the fruit or shell are safe in the larger amounts used as medicine. The leaf extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken at doses up to 200 mg daily for up to 3 months. The leaf extract can cause diarrhea. English walnut bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Taking the bark daily might increase the risk for tongue or lip cancer.
When applied to the skin: English walnut bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It contains a chemical called juglone that can irritate the skin.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: The fruit (nut), shell, and leaf of English walnut are LIKELY SAFE for most people when eaten in usual food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the fruit or shell are safe in the larger amounts used as medicine. The leaf extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken at doses up to 200 mg daily for up to 3 months. The leaf extract can cause diarrhea. English walnut bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Taking the bark daily might increase the risk for tongue or lip cancer.
When applied to the skin: English walnut bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It contains a chemical called juglone that can irritate the skin.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: The fruit (nut), leaf, and shell of English walnut are LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. But there isn't enough information to know if these parts are safe in the larger amounts used as medicine. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts. English walnut bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Don't take English walnut bark by mouth or apply it to the skin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts: People with peanut allergies are more likely to be allergic to nuts called "tree nuts." English walnut is a tree nut. People who are allergic to one tree nut are also more likely to have an allergy to at least one other tree nut. Doctors often advise people with peanut allergies and tree nut allergies to avoid eating any tree nuts unless you know that you are not allergic to them.
Interactions
We currently have no information for English Walnut overview.
Dosing
BY MOUTH
- For high cholesterol: 8-11 English walnut nuts or 30-56 grams (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) have been substituted for fats in the diet.
References
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- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
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