Walnut tree fruit refers to the immature fruit or peel of the walnut tree, a plant in the Juglandaceae family. It grows in moist areas on slopes or valleys. Soaking the walnut tree fruit peel in alcohol can treat stomach pain and abdominal pain.
[Other Names] Walnut tree, horse walnut (Chinese Tree Classification), walnut horse fruit (Chinese Medicinal Plants Illustration).
[Source] The immature fruit or peel of the walnut tree, a plant in the Juglandaceae family.
[Plant Morphology] Walnut tree, also known as mountain walnut, is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall.
The bark is dark gray; the twigs are thick and hairy with odd-pinnate compound leaves, arranged alternately. There are 9 to 17 leaflets, which are oblong or ovate-oblong in shape, measuring 5 to 15 centimeters in length and 2 to 6 centimeters in width. The tips are pointed, with fine serrations along the edges. The base is blunt or nearly truncate, with no hair on the upper surface and brown soft hair densely covering the veins on the lower surface.
The flowers are monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same plant. The male inflorescence is slender, racemose, and drooping, emerging from the leaf axils of the previous year's branches. The inflorescence can reach up to 17 to 18 centimeters in length, with 3 to 4 perianths and 1 to 2 bracts. The stamens range from 8 to 40, with short filaments and elongated anthers.
The female inflorescence is spike-like and upright, with 5 to 10 flowers that bloom simultaneously with the leaves. There are 4 perianths, and the bracts and bracteoles wrap around the outer wall of the ovary. The ovary is inferior, with a 2-lobed stigma that appears nipple-like and dark red.
The fruit cluster is short and usually contains 4 to 7 fruits. The fruit is spherical with a pointed tip and is not easily cracked. The kernel is ovate with 8 ridges. The flowering period is in May, and the fruiting period is in August to September.
It grows in moist areas on slopes or valleys. It is found in Northeast China, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Gansu, and other regions.
The bark or dry bark (walnut tree peel) of this plant is also used for medicinal purposes, more details can be found in a specific article.
[Chemical Composition] The fruit kernel contains 40-50% oil, 15-20% protein, 1-1.5% sugar, and vitamin C, among other compounds.
[Pharmacological Effects] A decoction of walnut tree leaves has been shown to have a hypoglycemic effect in rats, accelerating sugar assimilation in the body or reducing blood sugar levels. The method involves administering the drug to rats orally, followed by glucose (30 ml/kg) 30 minutes later. Urine sugar levels are measured 2.5 to 3 hours after administration, and the urine sugar levels in the treatment group are significantly lower than those in the control group.
[Functions and Indications] According to "Northeast Medicinal Plants," soaking the fruit peel in alcohol can treat stomach pain and abdominal pain.
[Prescription] For spasmodic abdominal pain caused by gastritis, stomach ulcers, and duodenal ulcers: Take 6 jin (approximately 3 kg) of mountain walnuts (select immature green fruit). Crush them and soak them in 10 jin (approximately 5 kg) of alcohol for 2 to 3 weeks. Remove the residue and filter. Adults should take 10 to 15 ml each time (Heilongjiang Common Chinese Medicinal Herbs Manual).
