Walnut Leaf

As legends had it, when the gods walked on earth, they lived on walnuts. Walnuts derived their family name Juglans from Jovis glans or Jupiter’s nuts. The tree was grown in Europe since the times of the Romans due to its nuts. The walnut nuts are found to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other healing nutrients. Centuries ago, these healing powers had been evident in its pointy green leaves. Astringent compounds called tannins are found in high concentrations and which account for the healing effect of the walnut leaf. Tannins is capable of tightening and constricting tissues. This property is valuable in protecting areas of skin and regulating inflammation and itching.

Walnut leaf is available in topical formulations that are popularly used in treating mild eczema and excessive sweating of hands and feet. People in France often applied walnut leaf topical formulation in treating sunburns and scalp that has dandruff. This is effective in treating other mild skin disorders as well. Walnut leaf is also used as a laxative. Researchers have discovered that the walnut leaf has bacteria-killing, anti-parasitic and insect-repelling characteristics. This serves as a confirmation to the long-held beliefs that that walnut leaf contains healing qualities. Specific health benefits of walnut leaf include:

* As a treatment for acne, ringworm, eczema due to its astringent tannins. These tannins cross-link the skin cells thereby making them resistant to allergens and infectious microorganisms. There are two antibacterial agents found in walnut leaf, walnut essential oil and juglone which are capable of acting on infectious microorganisms. Walnut leaf contains large concentrations of vitamin C which also helps fight infection.

* It curbs excessive sweating. The tannins found in walnut leaf can cause proteins in the cells lining the sweat glands to crosslink, serving as a barrier to the excretion of sweat.

Walnut tree of Juglans regia is also dubbed as the English, Persian or Carpathian walnut tree. It belongs to a large species of walnut family called Junglandaceae. One fifth of all Juglandaceae species is comprised of Juglans which includes black walnuts (J. nigra), butternuts (J. cineria) and heartnuts (J. ailantifolia); all these varieties have tannins and other healing compounds in their leaves. J. regia tree originated in Europe. Today, it is now being cultivated in North America, Europe, North Africa and other temperate regions in the world. Walnuts that are used for consumption are cultivated in California.

Walnut leaf is dried and chopped before being boiled and made into a very strong tea (decoction). Once the tea has cooled down, the tea is applied on skin in compresses, rinses and other formulations. It is also added to bath water. To make your own decoction (boiled tea), use 1.5 ounces of dried, cut-up leaf per 1 cup (8 ounces) of water. Boil the mixture in a small pot and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Then cool it before using.

Walnut leaf applications include:

* Infusion – this is used for skin problems and eye inflammations and as digestive tonic for poor appetite.

* Wash – use for eczema and for wounds and abrasions.

* Eyewash – either as a well-strained infusion or 5 drops tincture in an eye cup of water for conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

There are no known drugs or nutrient interactions connected with walnut leaf. Make sure that when you apply walnut leaf formulations, the affected area still has enough air circulation. Also, avoid covering large parts of the body with walnut leaf compresses.

Shark Liver Oil

Shark liver oil is as its name implicates derived from the livers of deep-water sharks. Shark liver oil is used to fight cancer and boosts the immune system. The shark liver oil is a by-product of the fishing industry. Sharks are not hunted for their oil alone. The practice of using shark liver oil as a medicine for wounds and to fight flu spans for centuries already. Japanese seamen called shark liver oil as samedawa or ‘cure all’. In the 1950s, it was discovered that a natural immune-boosting compound called alkylglycerols are found in high concentration in the shark liver oil.

Other less concentrated sources of alkylglycerols are found in the bone marrow, liver, spleen and breast milk of both mature cows and humans. This compound is the focus on medical interest on shark liver oil as a possible accompaniment to cancer treatment and an immune booster. It also contains squalamine which is a substance that fight breast, lung, brain and skin cancer by choking off the tumor’s blood supply. Shark live oil also contains squalene in large amounts which is an anti-oxidant and bacteria-fighter. It also has omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.

There are several health benefits one can derive from using shark liver oil. These benefits include:

* It adds to the conventional cancer treatment. In Europe, this is widely practiced. Research shows that alkylglyerols in shark liver oil may boost the immune system and prevent the spread of disease. The shark liver oil also strengthens healthy cells to ease the side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

* It fights infections, inflammations and heal wounds. Its immune boosting properties help speed up the healing of colds, flu and various skin infections.

* It is also believe to be a remedy for asthma, arthritis, skin inflammations of psoriasis. But these claims remain to be proven.

In order to get the most out of shark liver oil, you should purchase shark liver oil products that contain ‘alkylglycerols’ which is a disease-fighting ingredient. 1000 mg capsule could provide at least 200 mg of alkylglycerols. Other healing compounds found in shark liver oil are squalamine and squalene. Do not take more than the recommended dietary allowance or dosages of shark liver oil. More does not necessarily mean better. See your doctor if you take the product more than 30 days. You may require a blood test and a dosage change because long-term use might alter blood consistency.

To accompany cancer treatments, take 1 to 2 capsules, three times a day with meals.
To fight infections, take 1 to 2 capsules a day for 7 days with meals. Food will increase the absorption of the product’s active ingredients. Pregnant women are cautioned not to use this supplement. Consult a doctor first. There are no known drugs or nutrients interaction linked with shark liver oil. Possible side effects when taking shark liver oil include: mild stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion. These rarely occur however if oil is taken at recommended doses.