Walnut, Juglans regia, is the tree whose wrinkled, two-lobed kernels are eaten in sweets, salads and as a snack. Most Indian walnuts come from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Its native range stretches from south-eastern Europe through Central Asia to the Himalaya. The nuts are a good source of omega-3 fat, and walnut is also a common nut allergen.
- Botanical name
- Juglans regia L.
- Family
- Juglandaceae
- Tamil
- Akhrotu
- Hindi
- Akhrot
- Parts used
- Kernel
- Habit
- Persian walnut of cool hills
- Last updated
- 2026-10-26
How to recognise Walnut
It is a large, spreading tree with silvery-grey bark and pinnate leaves of five to nine broad leaflets that smell spicy when crushed.
Male flowers hang in long catkins in spring, while small female flowers sit at the tips of new shoots.
The fruit is a round green husk that turns black and splits to release the familiar hard-shelled nut.
Kernels are wrinkled and brain-like, in two halves separated by a woody partition.
Traditional use of Walnut
Kashmiri food and craft
Walnuts are eaten fresh and dried, made into chutneys, pressed for oil, and the hard wood is carved into the famous Kashmiri walnut-wood furniture and boxes.
Kashmiri practice
Dye
The green husks give a strong brown dye used for wool, hair and wood.
Himalayan and European practice
Modern notes on Walnut
Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. Nutrition studies link regular nut eating with better heart health.
The leaves, husks and roots contain juglone, which inhibits many other plants growing nearby.
Walnut safety
People with tree-nut allergies should avoid walnuts. Store shelled walnuts cool, because their oils turn rancid quickly.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows wild in mountain forests from the Balkans to the Himalaya and is cultivated in temperate regions worldwide.
In India it thrives between roughly 1,000 and 3,000 metres, needing cold winters to fruit well.
Squirrels, birds and people scatter the nuts, so seedlings spring up around old trees.
Related plants
Questions about Walnut
Where are walnuts grown in India?
Mostly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Are walnuts healthy?
In moderate amounts they are a nutritious food rich in omega-3 fats.
Can walnuts cause allergy?
Yes. Walnut allergy is common and can be severe.
Sources
- Juglans regia L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q46871 (Juglans regia)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.