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The Manchurian nut belongs to medicinal plants, in everyday life it is called a natural antibiotic. This product is used in the complex therapy of oncological diseases. The healing properties of the Manchurian nut are undeniable, as a result of which not only kernels, but also shells with leaves are used for the preparation of medicines in folk medicine. In cooking, it is used extremely rarely, since it is rather difficult to peel the fruits due to the thick and hard shell. Unripe fruits are used to make tasty and at the same time healthy jam.
What does a Manchu nut look like?
The Manchurian walnut is a deciduous tree with a fairly strong and elongated trunk. The tree can reach a height of up to 30 m. The bark is very thick, throughout the entire growth of the tree, it can change color from light gray to black. The leaves are large, with a complex structure, as a rule, they consist of small leaves - 7-19 pcs. The leaf plate is elongated and has a sharp tip.
Flowers of different sexes appear on the tree. In early spring, male flowers appear in the form of dark earrings. In April, female flowers begin to bloom - they are collected in a brush. After the flowering period has come to an end, the fruits of the Manchurian walnut begin to appear.
The fruits are small in size, the length can vary from 6 to 7 cm, the diameter is 4 cm. The shell is quite strong, on the surface of which there are cracks and numerous folds. Peeling the fruit is not as easy as it might initially seem. The color of the shell changes as the fruit ripens - it turns from green to brown. Ripening takes place from August to October.
The first crop can be harvested after the tree has reached the age of 4-8 years, some varieties begin to bear fruit 15 years after planting in open ground. Each mature tree can be harvested 70-80 kg. The Manchurian walnut is long-lived and can reach the age of 300 years.
The benefits and harms of the Manchu nut
If we consider the beneficial properties of products for human health, then it is worth highlighting the following points:
- fruits are able to fight fungi, promote rapid healing of open wounds, relieve pain and inflammation;
- all parts of the fruit, without exception, have astringent and disinfectant properties;
- with the help of fresh leaves, you can purify the air, saturate it with phytoncides and many other useful substances;
- medicines for the preparation of which the bark of the Manchurian walnut was used can relieve pain. Leaves, in turn, have antiseptic and antibacterial properties;
- tinctures and decoctions, prepared on the basis of kernels, allow you to relieve spasms, stop bleeding, promote vasodilation, and have a diuretic effect. Often, such decoctions are used to combat worms;
- bark-based extract is used in the fight against cancerous tumors.
It is important to take into account that medicines prepared on the basis of Manchu fruits bring health not only benefits, but also harm, which must also be taken into account.
Many experts recommend paying attention to the following points, according to which it is worth refusing to eat fruits:
- there is an individual intolerance of the body to some of the components that make up the nuts, as a result of which this product must be consumed as carefully as possible;
- the activity of substances in tinctures, decoctions and oils becomes much higher, therefore it is not recommended to use them in the presence of allergic reactions;
- it is necessary to discard the product if there is a sensitivity to various types of nuts;
- pregnancy and the lactation period are not the reason why it is worth stopping the use of medicines based on Manchurian walnut, but in this case, consultation with the attending physician is required.
It is important to take into account that nut-based drugs may be incompatible with other drugs.
Is it possible to eat the Manchu nut
Undoubtedly, the Manchu nut is edible, in addition, it has a rich composition. Despite this, it is necessary to take into account in advance that this product has a number of contraindications, as a result of which the fruits can be eaten only after consultation with the attending physician. The cores contain:
- tannins;
- acids;
- juglon;
- catechins;
- oils.
If we consider the vitamin composition, then it is worth noting:
- group A;
- group P;
- group B;
- potassium;
- magnesium.
The peel contains a large amount of iodine. In addition, the leaves of the tree also have useful properties; the content of valuable acids was found in them, such as:
- ellagic;
- coffee;
- coumarin;
- ascorbic;
- pantothenic;
- nicotine;
- gallic.
The leaves contain the same amount of vitamins as the fruit.
How to crack a Manchu nut at home
Despite the abundance of the annual harvest, the fruits are rarely eaten, even though the kernel is about 30% of the total nut and is quite valuable, dietary. Thus, due to the very thick peel, peeling a Manchu nut is rather difficult, but possible if necessary.
In order to remove the core, you need to take a medium-sized construction hammer and a birch log measuring 30 * 70 cm. You also need to use a stand. It is not recommended to use soft tree species as a stand; birch is also considered the best option.
At the end of the cut, it is necessary to make a small depression into which the Manchurian nut must be inserted with the sharp side in the future. When the nut is inserted into the groove, it is necessary to make several blows to the log from the back with a hammer. During the splitting process, it is recommended to hold the nut so that it is in an upright position without change.
You should not try to split the fruit with one blow, as the result will be unexpected, but predictable - the nut will fly into small pieces, and the fingers will suffer from a strong hammer blow on the log. The shell will begin to open with a few moderate blows that will not damage the kernel.
How to eat the Manchu nut
It should be borne in mind that the Manchu nut is quite difficult to crack, as a result of which the kernels are rarely eaten, but despite this, green fruits are actively used in cooking. You can make delicious jam from green nuts, which not only tastes good, but also has medicinal properties. You must immediately understand that it will take a long time to implement this recipe.
For cooking you will need:
- green nuts in the skin - 1.5 kg;
- water - 2.5 l;
- granulated sugar - 1 kg;
- citric acid - 2 tsp;
- vanillin - 1 sachet.
The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- Manchurian nuts are soaked in water and left for 3 days. The fruits must be washed at least 4 times daily, changing the water.
- After that, the nuts are cleaned, the kernels are removed (work must be carried out with gloves).
- The kernels are placed in a large saucepan, 2 liters of water and 5 g of citric acid are added.
- The future jam is put on fire, brought to a boil and simmered for 20 minutes.
- Then you must completely drain the water.
- In a separate container, you need to prepare the syrup. To do this, add 1 kg of granulated sugar to 400 ml of water.
- The nuts are transferred to the resulting syrup and boiled for about 10 minutes. After that, cover the pan with a lid and allow time to cool down at room temperature.
- When the jam has cooled, the container is again put on fire and boiled for 30 minutes. At the end vanillin and the rest of citric acid are added.
- Hot jam is poured into sterilized jars and rolled.
The use of the Manchu nut in medicine
If we take into account the photo and useful properties of the Manchurian nut, then it is worth noting that the fruits are used to treat a large number of diseases:
- to heal wounds, 40 g of leaves must be poured with 200 ml of boiling water, insist for 30 minutes, soak the bandage and apply to the cut;
- if 1 tbsp. l. pour boiling water over dry leaves, leave for 5 hours and strain, then such a drug can be used to rinse the mouth;
- for the treatment of cancerous tumors, alcoholic tinctures based on Manchurian nuts are used;
- with a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, 1 tbsp. l. Pour 200 ml of hot water over dry leaves, cover and leave for 30 minutes. After that, the broth is filtered and taken 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l .;
- if there are skin diseases, then 1 tbsp. dry leaves pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes, pour into a warm bathroom and stay in it for 30 minutes.
In addition, Manchu oil is often used in folk medicine.
Contraindications
If medicines or tinctures based on Manchurian walnut are chosen for treatment, then it should be understood that exceeding the maximum permissible therapeutic dose can negatively affect human health. In case of an overdose, the following side effects may appear:
- dizziness;
- stomachache;
- vasospasm.
The most serious consequence of an overdose is intoxication and dysbiosis. To prevent side effects, it is recommended to adhere to the permissible daily dose. At the same time, it is possible to use pumpkin seed oil in parallel, which can significantly reduce the load on the digestive system.
Despite the beneficial and medicinal properties of the Manchu nut, it is worth considering the possible harm. This product has a number of contraindications, as a result of which preparations based on it are not recommended for use in the presence of the following diseases:
- stomach ulcer;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- gastritis.
In addition, it is worth considering the individual intolerance of the body to some components.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store unpeeled nuts in a dry, dark and cool place. The maximum temperature regime is + 20 ° С. The lower the temperature, the longer the freshness of the product will be maintained.
If the fruits are contaminated, then they should be washed first. For these purposes, use a large deep container. Those nuts that have surfaced should be removed, since they are empty. After the fruits are dry, they can be placed in fabric bags and stored in a dark place. Subject to proper temperature conditions, products can be stored for up to 1 year.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of the Manchu nut are undeniable, as a result of which the product has found wide application in folk medicine. In addition, due to their unique properties, nuts can be used for cooking and cosmetic purposes. Furniture and handmade souvenirs are made of wood.If necessary, the tree can be grown on a personal plot and after 4 years the first harvest can be started.
