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Akshotaka

Juglans regia L.

Akshotaka (Juglans regia L.) is a plant drug, from the Juglandaceae family. Not specifically listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; recognized by WHO/FAO as an important nutritional food source; European Pharmacopoeia includes monograph for Juglans regia leaf.

Key facts
Botanical nameJuglans regia L.
FamilyJuglandaceae
OrderFagales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot specifically listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; recognized by WHO/FAO as an important nutritional food source; European Pharmacopoeia includes monograph for Juglans regia leaf
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3054368 · Wikidata Q46871 · NCBI Taxonomy 51240
Names in other languages
Hindiअख़रोट (aḳharoṭa)
Tamilஅகரோட்டு

Sources: Flowers of India, 'Walnut' page (Juglans regia): "Hindi: अखरोट Akhrot"; also Urdu ﺍﺧﺮﻭﭦ Akhrot.; Flowers of India, 'Walnut' page (Juglans regia): "Tamil: Akarottu" (and Telugu Akarottu, Kannada ಅಕ್ರೋಡು Akrodu).. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2016 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 5Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 7Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAkshotaka
Latin/BotanicalJuglans regia L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • In vitro studies have reported that juglone induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 pathways
  • Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenols ellagic acid and gallic acid. These studies reported inhibition of NF-kB signaling and reduced COX-2/LOX expression.
  • Studies have reported that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may lower serum LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides via upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors and inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Akshotaka is traditionally used in Ayurveda for Prameha (diabetes). Clinical and preclinical studies have reported Antidiabetic effects, including improved glycemic control.
  • Walnut bark and leaf preparations are traditionally applied to the skin. In vitro and animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity.
  • Clinical studies have reported Neuroprotective and cognitive benefits. They linked walnut consumption to improved memory and cognitive function in elderly people.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for dietary consumption; walnut allergy (IgE-mediated) is a significant concern affecting approximately 1-2% of the population in Western countries
  • Juglone in bark and green husk may cause contact dermatitis and skin staining; topical preparations require careful concentration limits
  • No significant herb-drug interactions documented at standard dietary doses; high doses of walnut leaf preparations should be avoided in pregnancy due to limited safety data

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (kernel powder), Taila (walnut oil), Capsule, Lehyam (confection), Topical oil

Standard Dosage: 3-6g kernel powder twice daily; 5-10ml oil internally; 1-2 walnut kernels daily as dietary supplement

Optimal Timing: With meals or as snack. Oil taken in morning on empty stomach for general health. Kernel powder is traditionally taken with warm milk at bedtime as a brain tonic.

Storage: Kernels and powder in airtight containers, refrigerated or below 15°C. Oil in amber glass, nitrogen-flushed headspace, refrigerated after opening. Protect from heat, light, and oxygen.

Marker Compounds: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Ellagic acid, Juglone (hull), Gallic acid, Tellimagrandin, Gamma-tocopherol, Pedunculagin

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Brahmi for cognitive support (synergistic neuroprotection)
  • With Ashwagandha for adaptogenic and brain health
  • With Kesar (saffron) for mood and cognitive enhancement
  • With honey and ghee for Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews5

  1. Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar M, Rashki M, Boskabady MH. 2025. A Review of Antioxidant Activity, Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Apoptosis-Regulatory Effects, and Immune System Modulation of Juglans regia L. (Walnut)Food science & nutrition. PMID 41179368 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.71081
  2. Bhat AA, Shakeel A, Rafiq S and others. 2023. Juglans regia Linn.: A Natural Repository of Vital Phytochemical and Pharmacological CompoundsLife (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36836737 · doi:10.3390/life13020380
  3. Croitoru A, Ficai D, Craciun L and others. 2019. Evaluation and Exploitation of Bioactive Compounds of Walnut, Juglans regiaCurrent pharmaceutical design. PMID 30931854 · doi:10.2174/1381612825666190329150825
  4. Delaviz H, Mohammadi J, Ghalamfarsa G and others. 2017. A Review Study on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology Applications of Juglans Regia PlantPharmacognosy reviews. PMID 28989250 · doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_10_17
  5. Panth N, Paudel KR, Karki R. 2016. Phytochemical profile and biological activity of Juglans regiaJournal of integrative medicine. PMID 27641607 · doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60274-1

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. Arshed N, Shabbir A, Khan HM and others. 2025. Juglans regia L. (Walnut) Leaf Extract Ameliorates Pulmonary Edema Against Airway Inflammation via Upregulation of Tight Junction Proteins and Heme Oxygenase-1 in the Lungs of Asthmatic MiceJournal of tropical medicine. PMID 40421046 · doi:10.1155/jotm/6976932
  2. Zhao S, Wang L, Liang J and others. 2024. Preparation, characterization and microencapsulation of walnut (Juglans regia L.) peptides-zinc chelateJournal of food science. PMID 39126687 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.17160
  3. Jia A, Lin L, Li Y and others. 2024. Diversity and Pathogenicity of Six Diaporthe Species from Juglans regia in ChinaJournal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39194908 · doi:10.3390/jof10080583
  4. Awadallah A, Hasan Al-Nadaf A. 2023. Topical Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bioengineered Juglans regia L. Silver NanoparticlesPakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS. PMID 38044699 · doi:10.3923/pjbs.2023.493.503
  5. Turki OH, Jafar ZJ. 2023. Whitening Effect of Juglans regia Dry Husk Extract on Primary and Permanent TeethInternational journal of biomaterials. PMID 37520886 · doi:10.1155/2023/1037661
  6. Żurek N, Pycia K, Pawłowska A and others. 2022. Phytochemical Screening and Bioactive Properties of Juglans regia L. PollenAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36290769 · doi:10.3390/antiox11102046
  7. Đorđević T, Đurović-Pejčev R, Stevanović M and others. 2022. Phytotoxicity and allelopathic potential of Juglans regia L. leaf extractFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36275528 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.986740

Reference lists that include it

Catechin, Ellagic acid, Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Quercetin

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.