On TikTok, everyone wants to transform walnuts into jade It seems to be beneficial for more than one reason

I thought my algorithm had gone crazy because of an invasion of walnuts on my feed, but then I realized it was simply a new trend that, interestingly enough, actually comes from the past. Over the past few days, TikTok users seem to have been swept up in a wave of mindfulness that shows them polishing walnuts by rubbing them together in order to turn them into jade. That’s where my investigation began. Is it really possible, a mindfulness exercise, or just a bit of a scam? The answer is more nuanced than you might think. First of all, these are not ordinary edible walnuts, but Wenwan walnuts or collectible walnuts. This practice comes from an ancient Chinese tradition that reinterprets walnuts as art objects and wellness tools. From the Han dynasty to the Tang dynasty and later the Qing dynasty, handling them became one of the favorite pastimes of nobles, and ministers would select them carefully to ensure the finest tribute for their rulers.

How does the viral jade walnut process on TikTok actually work?

In fact, Wenwan walnuts stand out for their distinctive shape. They can be recognized by the hardness of their shell and their unique texture. When rotated in the hand, they should produce a metallic or stone-like sound. According to collectors, the larger and more symmetrical they are, the rarer they become. Some varieties are easier to work with because they change color more quickly, such as:

• The white lion: characterized by a durable tip and a color that changes relatively quickly;
• The millstone lion's head: known for its flat, wide shape, which makes it very easy to polish;
• The toad head: recognizable for its rounded, full shape, making it particularly pleasant to the touch.

According to Chinese tradition, the best Wenwan walnuts are said to come from mountainous areas near Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei province. But do they really turn into fascinating gemstones? The answer is, of course, no. However, the result achieved through polishing comes very close to the texture of jade. The polishing process shared by TikTok users consists of four stages. The first step may seem obvious, but it’s extremely important: a deep cleaning to remove any residue from the shell. The next step is straightforward: the surface begins to shine thanks to the friction between the two walnuts. At this stage, the walnuts absorb the oils from the skin and gradually change from brown to red. The final stage brings us to the end result, where the walnut appears translucent like a gemstone. But don’t celebrate too soon: the jade-like effect doesn’t appear overnight, it can take months or even years. It’s said that the red color may appear after one or two years and, once achieved, it needs to be maintained. That’s why in some videos we see users brushing the walnuts.

The beneficial effects of Wenwan walnuts

This isn’t just a visually engaging trend. Social media also talks about beneficial effects linked to Chinese medicine. But is that really the case? A scientific study from 2019, published in Annals of Translational Medicine and reported by PubMed, explains that rotating walnuts for just 30 minutes, three times a day, significantly improves hand strength and dexterity. Thanks to diffusion tensor imaging (DTT), researchers even observed an increase in nerve fibers in the corticospinal tract, the pathway that connects the brain to the muscles of the hand, confirming that this exercise “actively stimulates neuroplasticity.” Additionally, in 2024 another report highlighted that manual exercise stimulates crucial acupoints such as Laogong (located in the center of the palm), which has been used for thousands of years to reduce anxiety and calm the mind. So yes, we may not end up with shiny jade, but at least we might gain a very effective stress reliever.