This product is the kernel of the mature fruit of the deciduous tree of the walnut family. It is cultivated throughout China, especially in Hebei, Shanxi, and Shandong. The fruit is harvested in autumn when it matures, the fleshy peel is removed, and it is dried. The shell is then removed to obtain the kernel for use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, warm. act on lung, kidney and large intestine channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonify the kidneys and strengthen the lower back, warm the lungs to relieve asthma, moisten the intestines to relieve constipation.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for wheezing and coughing due to deficiency of both the lung and kidney. Walnut kernel can warm and tonify the lung and kidney, and its flesh is moist while its skin is astringent, which can also moisten and astringe the lung, thus improving qi reception and relieving dyspnea. It is often used with Ginseng, Fresh Ginger Rhizome, etc., to treat wheezing and coughing due to lung-kidney qi deficiency of cold deficiency type, such as Jisheng Fang Ginseng and Walnut Decoction.
2. Used for soreness and pain in the waist and knees, seminal emission, and frequent urination due to kidney yang deficiency. Walnut kernel can tonify the kidney and warm yang, strengthen the waist and knees, and is often used with Eucommia Bark, Psoralea, etc., such as Young Maid Pill.
3. Used for constipation due to intestinal dryness. Walnut kernel is rich in oil, which can moisten and lubricate the intestines, and is often used with Hemp Seed, Chinese Angelica, Desertliving Cistanche, etc., to treat constipation of deficiency type due to fluid deficiency and intestinal dryness.
4. In addition, ancient formulas also used it for urolithic stranguria. Modern use treats urinary tract stones, with the effect of expelling stones. Peach Kernel can also resist aging and nourish the brain. For those with neurasthenia, eating 1-2 walnut kernels in the morning and evening each day can have both tonic and therapeutic effects.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bencao Tujing: "Treats injury, urolithic stranguria, taken with malaytea scurfpea fruit, as a honeyed pill."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Tonifies and replenishes qi and blood, moistens dryness and resolves phlegm, benefits the life gate, benefits the triple energizer, warms the lungs and moistens the intestines, treats deficiency-cold cough and asthma, and heavy pain in the waist."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

10-30 grams. Decoct and take orally. For relieving asthma and cough, use with the skin; for moistening intestinal dryness, remove the skin; for expelling stones, fry until crisp in oil, then mash into a paste and take.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Because it can lubricate the intestines, it is not suitable for those with loose stools. It is contraindicated for those with yin deficiency and effulgent fire or phlegm-heat cough with intense fire.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Walnut kernel contains fatty oils, primarily linoleic acid glycerides. It also contains protein, carbohydrates, riboflavin, carotene, vitamin E, and trace amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. It has a cough-suppressing effect. Feeding dogs a mixed diet containing walnut kernel oil can lead to rapid weight gain and an increase in serum albumin, while the rise in blood cholesterol levels is slower. It may affect the synthesis, oxidation, and excretion of cholesterol in the body.

Walnut kernels that are yellow, large, plump, and rich in oil are considered the best. Walnut kernel meat is rich in oil (about 40% to 50%), which can lubricate the large intestine and promote bowel movements, and has a nourishing effect. Therefore, it is especially suitable for elderly and weak individuals, as well as those with post-illness fluid deficiency and constipation. In food therapy, it is used as needed. For tonifying the kidney to constrain seminal emission, it is often used cooked with the inner skin. For moistening the intestines to relieve constipation, it is better to use it raw without the inner skin.

The fatty oil extracted from walnut kernels is called walnut kernel oil. When taken internally, it has the effects of tonifying the kidney, promoting laxation, and expelling parasites. Externally, it can be used to treat dermatitis, eczema, and boils in the external ear canal.