Juglans mandshurica (Chinese: 胡桃楸), also known as Manchurian walnut, is a deciduous tree of the genus Juglans (section Cardiocaryon), native to the Eastern Asiatic Region (China, Russian Far East, North Korea and South Korea). It grows to about 25 m.

In the therapy and the prevention of various diseases, tincture and decoction of the crust, shells, leaves due to the presence of tanning and other substances that provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effects are used. Fruits are effective in pure form as a preventive / therapeutic agent:

cardiovascular diseases;
impaired memory and other deviations associated with the work of the brain;
anemia;
epidermis diseases.
The decoction can be used to treat inflammation, wounds of oral cavity, constipation, gastritis, diarrhea, there is data on anti-cancer action.

The shell is characterized by a high content of iodine, but to release valuable substances from the widespread parts requires a long insisting. A long course serves as an effective means in the fight against the dysfunction of the thyroid gland.

Manchurian walnut meat can improve the body’s lipid profile by decreasing cholesterol levels and can reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases. The current utilization of Manchurian walnut mainly is focused on the oil and protein preparation as well as production of other rough-wrought products.

Walnuts are highly beneficial in providing all of the Vitamin B series, Vitamin E, and many minerals that are beneficial to keeping a healthy body.

1. Good for Your Heart
Walnuts are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid contribute to heart health. They help prevent coronary artery disease. A diet rich in walnuts can lead to a reduction in bad cholesterol and a boost in good HDL cholesterol. If you’re concerned about heart health or know that heart disease runs in your family, it’s essential to adhere to a heart-healthy diet that includes the consumption of walnuts.

2. Diabetes Control
Individuals who have diabetes should consider adding walnuts to their diet. Medical studies out of Yale have demonstrated how they can help people control Type 2 diabetes. According to multiple studies, walnuts can improve the function of blood vessel lining, reduce fasting insulin levels, and improve diabetic neuropathy.

3. Reduce Inflammation
You might not notice how chock full these nuts are with phytochemical substances and polyphenolic compounds, but your body will! These healthful substances can reduce inflammation in your body. While it’s important for good health to reduce inflammation, it’s even more vital to adopt a diet that reduces inflammation if you suffer from a disease like rheumatoid arthritis. Among nuts, walnuts have the most omega-3 fatty acids. Many diseases share an underlying component: inflammation. By eating foods that reduce inflammation, you can reduce your risks for many of these diseases and enhance their control if you incur them.

4. Mood Enhancer
Research has demonstrated that people who lack omega-3 fatty acids can show irritability and other mood disturbances. Adults who may be battling anxiety and stress should try to incorporate walnuts into their diets. Their rich makeup of omega-3 fatty acids can boost and balance mood. Omega-3 fatty acids enhance the functionality of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin and dopamine. When these neurotransmitters are bogged down and do not move freely throughout the brain, symptoms of anxiety and depression ensue. Ensure that your mental health remains resilient and include more walnuts in your diet.

5. Gorgeous Skin
Walnuts have a range of nutrients that are essential for skin health. Rich in antioxidants, they help prevent the oxidative stress that can lead to skin damage. Our skin is continually put in harm’s way with its exposure to everyday elements like UV rays, pollution, and even dust. Walnuts, with their healthful fatty acids and antioxidants, have the power to combat these common skin stressors. Moreover, the nutrients contained in walnuts help you maintain your glowing, moisture-rich skin too. The potassium in them, for instance, can reduce the appearance of puffy skin and their protein can help heal cuts and abrasions more quickly.

6. Sleep Aid
If you have difficulties sleeping or suffer from full-blown insomnia, you should include walnuts as a diet staple. They contain the antioxidant melatonin. Melatonin helps regulate the hormones in the body and also helps regulate your internal clock. When that clock is thrown out of whack, it can be difficult to fall asleep.

7. Weight Management
Too often, people get the mistaken notion that walnuts are fattening. This is unfortunate because they are ideal foods to promote weight management. While they do contain carbohydrates, calories, and fat, studies have shown that they do not lead to weight gain. Instead, these nuts have the power to improve metabolism, inducing the body to burn those calories instead of storing them in the body.

8. Cancer Prevention
Medical researchers have found that the phenolic compounds and wealth of antioxidants contained in walnuts can help control the growth of cancer cells.

9. Enhance Bone Health
Walnuts have a great concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. That makes them ideal foods for promoting bone health. The omega-3 fatty acids in the nuts have the power to boost the absorption of calcium. Which is integral to bone density. With optimum calcium, bones stay strong.

10. Cognitive Benefits
As we age, we all need to be concerned about protecting our cognitive function and health. Medical researchers believe a diet that’s rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fats play a vital role in reducing the risk of inflammation. And it reduces oxidative stress associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s.

** How to eat
Eat the inside nut after crushing the raw hard outer shell with a nut & seafood cracker or wash it in water as it is, then add about 40-50g (about 4-5 nuts) sputum to 2L of water and decoct it.

가래나무열매 / 추자 (楸子)

가래나무 또는 추목(楸木)는 가래나무과 가래나무속에 속하는 갈잎 큰키나무입니다. 소백산, 속리산 이북의 표고 500m를 중심으로 100~1,500m 사이에 자생하는 낙엽활엽교목입니다. 가래나무는 중국 원산의 호두나무와 비슷합니다. 대한민국의 중부로부터 만주까지의 산기슭 같은 곳에 저절로 납니다. 열매는 달걀 모양의 핵과가 열립니다. 열매가 9~10월에 익으며 약용이나 식용으로 가능합니다. 열매의 씨는 먹거나 약재로 쓰고, 재목은 비교적 단단하고 가벼워서 총대, 비행기, 장롱, 조각재 등에 쓰입니다. 열매를 가래, 재목을 추목이라고 합니다.

추자, 가래나무열매의 알맹이 껍질은 호두보다 훨씬 단단해서 여간 힘으론 깨뜨리기 어렵습니다. 그런데 청설모는 어떻게 깨는지 두 쪽으로 뽀개서 구불구불한 내장에 숨어있는 속살을 빼먹습니다. 호두보다 작아서 호두처럼 속살이 많지는 않지만 영양가가 높고 고소합니다. 그래서 옛날에는 간식으로 즐겨먹거나 양념으로 쓰기도 했습니다.

한방에서의 효능으로는 수렴과 해열, 눈을 맑게 하는 등의 효능이 있어서 장염, 이질(적리), 설사, 맥립종, 눈이 충혈하고 붓는 통증 등에 효과가 있습니다. 열매는 날 것으로 그냥 먹거나 요리하여 먹고 기름을 짜서 먹기도 합니다.

추자는 위염, 폐결핵, 폐암, 기관지염, 대장염, 대장암 등 염증치료에 좋은 효증으로 몸에 잠재하고 있는 나쁜 균을 살충 살균하고 제거하는데 큰 효능이 있습니다. 또한 각종 암세포를 억제하는 효과가 있으며 폐암, 대장암, 기관지염, 해소, 천식, 혈액순환 등 여러가지 질병 치료에 예방에 도움을 줍니다.

폐건강
가래나무열매는 폐를 튼튼하게 하고 기침을 멎게합니다.

뇌건강
기억력을 좋게하고 머리를 맑게하는 등의 효과가 있습니다.

위건강
위염이나 십이지장궤양 같은 경련성 복통에 효과가 좋습니다.

** 먹는 방법
호두처럼 날것을 딱딱한 껍질을 호두 까는 기구로 부순후 속 열매를 먹거나 물에 씻은후, 물2L에 가래 약40~50g(약4~5개) 정도를 넣고 달여드시면됩니다.