Walnut Leaf
Juglans regia
T Traditional useEMA recognises walnut leaf decoction as a traditional compress for minor skin inflammation and sweaty hands and feet. External use only, for up to 1 week.
Walnut LeafOn this page
At a glance
Walnut leaf (Juglans regia) is known for its astringent effect due to its tannins. EMA recognises the traditional use of its decoction as a compress for minor skin inflammation and excessive sweating of the hands and feet. This assessment covers skin use only; oral use is not included.
Updated: October 24, 2026
Sources include an EMA HMPC monograph. Its scope is limited to the specified species, plant part and preparation; this is not professional approval.
What is it used for?
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.
How do we rate evidence levels? →EMA recognises walnut leaf decoction as a traditional herbal medicinal product for the relief of minor inflammatory skin conditions. This use is based on long-standing experience, not clinical trials. [1]
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.
How do we rate evidence levels? →EMA recognises walnut leaf decoction as a traditional use in excessive sweating of the hands and feet. This use is not recommended under 18. [1]
How is it used?
Topical
Chopped leaves are boiled in water as a decoction, cooled, soaked into a cloth and applied to the affected skin as a compress 2–4 times a day. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a week.
Amount: 4–6 g in 200 ml boiling water
Duration limit: 1 week
[1]Topical
For excessive sweating, a compress soaked in the same decoction is applied to the hands or feet twice a day for up to 30 minutes each time.
Amount: 4–6 g in 200 ml boiling water
Duration limit: 1 week
[1]Safety & interactions
⚠ External use only
Minimum age: 18 years
Duration limit: 7 days
- For skin use only; EMA has not assessed oral use.
- Do not apply to open wounds or large skin injuries.
- Not recommended under 18 due to lack of adequate data.
- Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety has not been established.
- It temporarily stains the skin (brown).
- See a doctor if symptoms worsen during use or last more than a week.
Drug interactions
No recorded interactions
Side effects
- No known side effects; skin may be temporarily stained
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Frequently asked questions
What is walnut leaf used for?
EMA recognises walnut leaf decoction as a traditional compress for minor skin inflammation and sweaty hands and feet. This is for use on the skin.
Does walnut leaf tea lower blood sugar?
Walnut leaf is drunk for blood sugar in folk use, but EMA has not assessed oral use. There is no reliable evidence for this; do not stop your diabetes medicine.
Does walnut leaf help with sweaty feet?
EMA recognises a compress made from walnut leaf decoction as a traditional use for sweaty hands and feet. It is applied twice a day for up to 30 minutes, for no more than a week.
Does walnut leaf dye hair?
Walnut leaf temporarily stains the skin brown. Use as a hair dye is not covered by the EMA assessment.
Can children use walnut leaf?
EMA does not recommend use under 18 because there are not enough data.
Sources
Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.
- Community herbal monograph on Juglans regia L., foliumEMA HMPC · 2013 · MonographSource accessed:
Cite This Page
Walnut Leaf (Juglans regia). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/walnut-leaf/
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