Witnessed by: Western
Butternut (Juglans cinerea), of the Juglandaceae family. Spreading deciduous tree with sticky, aromatic compound leaves; native range: rich woods of eastern North America. Globally recognized as white walnut, oilnut, lemon walnut in English. The part used is inner bark of root and stem. Bitter and acrid, slightly oily.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BUTTERNUT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- butternut
- Scientific name
- Juglans cinerea L.
- Family
- Juglandaceae
Form
- Part used
- inner bark of root and stem
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- cool, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- bowels · intestines · liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- mild laxative, cholagogue, hepatic, vermifuge, alterative
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy and acute bowel inflammation
- Toxicity
- low; large doses may gripe
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