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Black Walnut is also known as English Walnut. The genus, Juglans or Jovis glans is derived from Latin, meaning "Jupiter's nut," another common name describing the Walnut, as mythology tells us that the gods who resided on earth lived on Walnuts. The English name, Walnut, is partially derived from Teutonic words, with the Germans calling it
wallnuss. Because Walnuts are similar to the shape of the human head, they were historically thought to benefit the brain. Furthermore, in Asian medicine, Black Walnuts were regarded as a kidney tonic, following the logic that they consider the brain to be governed by the kidneys. Walnuts have also been carried by some cultures as a charm for fertility. Black Walnut Bark, including the kernel and the green hull, have been used by the Asians to expel various kinds of intestinal worms, as well as by some American Indian tribes. A substance taken to expel or control parasites (most often referred to as worms) is technically called a "vermifuge." The fruit, leaves and bark of the Black Walnut tree offer many other benefits. Taken internally, Black Walnut helps relieves constipation and is also useful against fungal and parasitic infections. It may also help eliminate warts, which are troublesome growths caused by viruses. Rubbed on the skin, Black Walnut extract is reputed to be beneficial for eczema, herpes, psoriasis and skin parasites. External applications have also been known to kill ringworm. The Chinese use it to kill tapeworms with extremely good success. The high tannin content is primarily responsible for its anthelmintic property, although other constituents such as juglandin, juglone and juglandic acid may also be involved. It is said that Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. The brown stain found in the green husk contains organic iodine which has antiseptic and healing properties. Black Walnut has also been used to balance sugar levels and burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials. Black Walnut is said to have the ability to fight against fungal infections and acts with an antiseptic property to help fight bacterial infection. |
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Pumpkin and other squashes are native to North and Central America, but have since been cultivated worldwide. The medicinal use of Pumpkin Seeds was adopted by Oriental healers sometime in the seventeenth century. When the first explorers arrived in America, they noticed the Pumpkin plant in the cultivated maize fields of the Indians, wh food. An emulsion made from a mixture of Pumpkin and watermelon seeds served to heal wounds for members of the Yuma tribe. The Catawba tribe ate the fresh or dried seeds as a kidney medicine, while the Menominee tribe drank a mixture of water, powdered squash and Pumpkin Seeds to ease the passage of urine. In settler folk medicine, the ground stems of Pumpkin were brewed into a tea to treat "female ills," and the ripe seeds were made into a palatable preparation to dispel worms. Modern folk healers advocate Pumpkin Seeds to rid the body of intestinal worms, and they point out that the seed oil is especially helpful for healing bums and wounds. People in Germany discovered that raw, hulled Pumpkin Seeds contain substances that can stimulate sex hormone production. So, eating a handful of Pumpkin Seeds daily may help prevent impotence. The seeds contain large amounts of zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, copper, potassium, calcium, vitamin A and B-vitamins (niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamin). They also contain unsaturated oils and antioxidants. The seeds are famous for improving vision. Ethiopians chew Pumpkin Seeds (which contain fiber) as a natural laxative. Pumpkin Seeds are also a balanced source of good proteins and are very nourishing and energizing. Pumpkin Seeds, being high in zinc content, aids the healing process and may be useful in treating an enlarged prostate gland. Pumpkin Seeds and husks also aid milk production in lactating mothers and are used to reduce postpartum swelling of the hands and feet. |
