Juglans regia, commonly known as the English walnut, Persian walnut, or simply walnut, is a large, deciduous tree native to a region stretching from the Balkans through the Himalayas to southwest China. It belongs to the Juglandaceae family and is widely cultivated across temperate regions of the world for its nutritious nuts and valuable timber.

The tree can grow up to 35 meters tall with a broad crown and deeply furrowed bark. Its leaves are pinnate, composed of 5 to 9 leaflets with a characteristic aromatic scent. The fruit is a drupe, consisting of a green outer husk and a hard, wrinkled shell that contains the edible walnut kernel—rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential nutrients.

Walnuts are not only a popular snack and cooking ingredient but also offer numerous health benefits, including support for brain health, heart health, and anti-inflammatory effects. In traditional medicine, various parts of the tree—leaves, bark, and husk—have been used for their astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-parasitic properties.

In addition to its nutritional value, Juglans regia produces high-quality hardwood, prized for furniture, cabinetry, and gunstocks due to its durability and attractive grain. The tree also exudes juglone, a natural chemical that inhibits the growth of some plants nearby—a phenomenon known as allelopathy.

Family Name: JUGLANDUCEAE

Botanical Name: JUGLANS REGIA

Common Name: WALNUT, PERSIAN WALNUT, EUROPEAN WALNUT, AKHROT

Part Used: LEAVES, BARKS, FRUITS

Habitat: Cultivated in Himalayas and the Khasia hills.

Uses: Leaves are Astringent, Tonic and Anthelmentic. They are useful in herpes, eczema, scrofula and syphilis. Fruits are sweet and emollient, thermogenic, and aphrodisiac.