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more popularized in exponential growth in every part of the world because of the natural
origin, high nutrient values and almost negligible side effects as compared to modern
medicines. Hence, herbal medicine is popular all over the world (Girzu et al., 1998). The
genus Juglans contains about 20 species, all producing nuts that are edible. Among those, the
English or Persian walnut is the most commonly cultivated species (McGranahan and Leslie,
1990). Western Himalayan region of India provides suitable agroclimatic conditions for
producing high quality walnuts. Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory of India produces
major share of an export quality walnut and is hub of the production of walnut in India
(Hassan et al., 2013). Walnut is produced in all the three provinces of J&K UT. It is
cultivated in all districts of Kashmir divisions, Kargil region of Ladakh division and Chenab
regions including Ramban, Kisthwar, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu division.
Walnut industry is the backbone of the economy of the J&K and the fruit is exported to
different countries because of its high quality of fruit and this is the major earning source for
the local peoples living in the remote areas of J&K. The peoples living in the Union Territory
has diversity of culture like Brahmins, Rajput’s, Gujjars, Tribes living in the remote areas
have present immense traditional information that were gained orally from their grand
forefathers. This vital Ethnomedicinal Knowledge about the uses of different medicinal plants
species growing in the wild is a boon in treatment of different diseases and disorders. It
contains noteworthy ethnomedicinal properties and huge economic potential, nutritional and
medicinal values (Khan et al., 2013).
METHODOLOGY
The present study was conducted to describe the ethnomedicinal use, pharmacology,
nutritional value, phytochemistry, morphology, habitat and area of distribution, and other
uses of walnut produced in J&K UT.
Literature search strategy
A complete search was done to collect the information and data about the walnut. Organized
literature search and computerized search as well were done without considering any time
and language restriction and the comprehensive information of this descriptive review was
obtained by some medicinal and aromatic plants books as well as published scientific
literature through many international online databases like Science Direct, PubMed, Google
Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate. Search process conducted using different combinations
of many keywords such as medicinal plants, pharmacological activity, phytochemistry,
traditional information, plant based secondary metabolites, etc. were applied to collect
information available on the topic.
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