Benefits of Nutmeg

1. Nutmeg is also popular for its many health benefits. In fact, since ancient times, nutmeg has been used as a remedy for various ailments or to improve health in general. It is also rich in many vital Bcomplex vitamins, including vitamin C, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A and many flavonoid antioxidants like betacarotene and cryptoxanthin that are essential for optimum health. .....

Brain Tonic

2. During ancient times, Roman and Greek civilizations used nutmeg as a type of brain tonic. This is because nutmeg can effectively stimulate your brain. As a result, it can help eliminate fatigue and stress. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, nutmeg may also be a good remedy. Nutmeg can also improve your concentration so you can become more efficient and focused at work or at school. .....

Pain Relief

3. Nutmeg is also an effective sedative. In fact, nutmeg is a staple in ancient Chinese medicine. The Chinese used the spice to treat inflammation and abdominal pain. Use nutmeg if you are suffering from aching joints, muscle pain, arthritis, sores and other ailments. To relieve the pain, apply nutmeg oil to the affected areas. .....

Indigestion Relief

4. If you suffer from digestionrelated problems like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, flatulence and so on, nutmeg can effectively offer you relief. Nutmeg oil relieves stomachaches by removing the excess gas from your intestines. Nutmeg can also boost your appetite. .....

Bad Breath Treatment

5. Nutmeg can also effectively treat halitosis or bad breath. As you probably know, bad breath is usually caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth. Nutmeg can rid your mouth of these bacteria. This is the reason why nutmeg is a common ingredient in many brands of toothpastes. Nutmeg can also be used to treat gum problems and toothaches. .....

Liver and Kidney Detox

6. Detoxification is an important factor of good health. Diet, pollution, stress, tobacco, medication and other external substances can lead to the buildup of toxins in your organs. The liver and kidney are two of the organs where this toxic buildup usually develops. As a tonic, nutmeg can clean your liver and kidney and remove these toxins. If you are suffering from a liver disease then nutmeg can also be beneficial. Nutmeg is also effective in pre .....

Skin Care

7. If skin care is one of your priorities then you might want to incorporate nutmeg into your regimen. Nutmeg can actually help you achieve smoother and healthier skin by helping you treat several skin problems. A scrub made from nutmeg powder and orange lentil powder can help you remove blackheads, a type of acne characterized by pores clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. If you suffer from acne marks, nutmeg can also help make your scars l .....

Sleep Aid

8. If you have difficulty sleeping at night, drink a cup of milk with some nutmeg powder. This will help you achieve relaxation and will induce sleep. nutmeg grated into soup or sauce, or a few drops of nutmeg essential oil rubbed on the skin, can do a world of good for your health. .....

Processing

9. Nutmeg tree yields up to three times in a season. Once harvested from the tree, the outer coat or husk is removed and discarded. Just underneath the tough husk is the goldenbrown color aril, known as mace, enveloping nutmeg kernel. Mace is gently peeled off from the kernel surface, flattened into strips, dried, and sold either as whole or finely ground. The nutmeg kernels are then dried under sun for several days to weeks. At larger commercial se .....

Medicinal uses

10. Nutmeg and its oil were being used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicines for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems. The compounds in this spice such as myristicin and elemicin have been soothing as well as stimulant properties on brain. .....

Culinary uses

11. Nutmeg as well as mace is used in cooking recipes. Mace has delicate flavor and gives saffron color to the food items. Whole kernels generally preferred over .....

Safety profile

12. Consumption of nutmeg in large doses may cause lack of concentration, sweating, palpitations, body pain and in severe cases, hallucination and delirium. In very small doses, it may be used safely in pregnancy and lactation. .....

Menstrual Cramps

13. Some women face menstrual irregularities and suffer from menstrual cramps. Nutmeg oil is very helpful for these women, and it can also reduce the associated symptoms of periods like mood swings, depression, and hormone imbalance. .....

Blood Circulation

14. Nutmeg oil is a good stimulant, not only for the mind, but also for the rest of the body. Its relaxing aroma comforts the body, increases blood circulation and therefore helps those who have poor blood circulation. .....

Respiratory Problems

15. Nutmeg oil forms an important ingredient in many cough syrups and cold rubs as it helps in relieving congestion and cold symptoms. It is also believed that nutmeg oil can be used for treating asthma. .....

Heart Problems

16. Nutmeg oil can also stimulate the cardiovascular system and is therefore considered a good tonic for the heart. nutmeg was popular as an effective brain tonic in spite of its high cost and rarity. Nutmeg oil also enhances concentration and increases your overall efficiency at study and work. .....

Liver Tonic

17. An important health benefit of nutmeg oil is its ability to treat liver disease. The oil is capable of removing toxins from the liver, thereby making it a good liver tonic. .....

Kidney Health

18. Nutmeg oil is often recommended for treating kidney infections and kidney diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones and accumulations of uric acid in other parts of the body, like those which lead to gout and joint inflammation. .....

Spice

19. The herb is very popular as a spice and is often used in culinary purposes. In cooking, nutmeg is versatile and can be used in potato dishes and meat preparations in Europe, garam masala in India, and as a curry ingredient in Japan. .....

Incense

20. Nutmeg is used in various incense sticks due to its woody fragrance. It is also believed that Roman priests used to burn nutmeg as incense. Nutmeg oil also enhances concentration and increases your overall efficiency at study and work. .....

Flavor

21. Nutmeg, or Jaiphal as it is called in Hindi, is a very popular flavoring agent in making sweets in India. It is also used in baked goods, sauces, ice cream, and custards. Certain coffee drinks, including cappuccino, are flavored using nutmeg and cinnamon. .....

Soaps

22. The antiseptic properties of nutmeg make it useful in the manufacturing of antiseptic soaps. Nutmeg essential oil is used for bathing as well, due to its refreshing nature. It also reduces swelling of the joints. Often, overexertion leads to body or muscle ache, and in such cases, nutmeg oil can be very useful in removing the pain. .....

Cosmetics

23. Since nutmeg oil is antibacterial and antiseptic, it is used in many cosmetics meant for dull, oily or wrinkled skin. It is also used in making after shave lotions and creams. Nutmeg oil is obtained from the seed of the nutmeg tree fruit. The fruit, when dried, produces nutmeg (the seed) and mace (the covering). .....

Room Freshener

24. Nutmeg oil can be used as a room freshener, again due to its woody and pleasant aroma. The health benefits of nutmeg oil can be attributed to its medicinal properties such as its role as a sedative, stimulant, relaxing, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, and bactericidal substance. .....

Tobacco

25. Nutmeg oil is commonly used in the tobacco industry to change the flavor of the tobacco blend slightly. Nutmeg oil blends well with many other essential oils including lavender, rosemary, orange, black pepper, clary sage, eucalyptus, ginger, and ylangylang oils. .....

Essential oils

26. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg is used widely in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. This volatile fraction typically contains 6080% dcamphene by weight, as well as quantities of dpinene, limonene, dborneol, lterpineol, geraniol, safrol, and myristicin. The oil is colourless or light yellow, and smells and tastes of nutmeg. It contains numerous components of interest to the oleochemical industry, and is .....

Nutmeg butter

27. Nutmeg butter is obtained from the nut by expression. It is semisolid, reddish brown in colour, and tastes and smells of nutmeg. Approximately 75% (by weight) of nutmeg butter is trimyristin[citation needed], which can be turned into myristic acid, a 14carbon fatty acid, which can be used as a replacement for cocoa butter, can be mixed with other fats like cottonseed oil or palm oil, and has applications as an industrial lubricant. .....

History

28. Nutmeg is known to have been a prized and costly spice in European medieval cuisine as a flavouring, medicinal, and preservative agent. Saint Theodore the Studite (ca. 758 .....

World production

29. World production of nutmeg is estimated to average between 10,000 and 12,000 tonnes (9,800 and 12,000 long tons; 11,000 and 13,000 short tons) per year, with annual world demand estimated at 9,000 tonnes (8,900 long tons; 9,900 short tons); production of mace is estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes (1,500 to 2,000 long tons; 1,700 to 2,200 short tons). Indonesia and Grenada dominate production and exports of both products, with world market shares .....

Medical research

30. Nutmeg has been used in medicine since at least the seventh century. In the 19th century it was used as an abortifacient, which led to numerous recorded cases of nutmeg poisoning. Although used as a folk treatment for other ailments, unprocessed nutmeg has no proven medicinal value today. .....

Whiter teeth

31. Mix a few pinches each of nutmeg powder and baking soda, dip your brush in it and dry brush you teeth, this will whiten teeth and remove bad breath as well. nutmeg can rid your mouth of bacteria. This is the reason why nutmeg is a common ingredient in many brands of toothpastes. .....

Milk Powder and Nutmeg for acne marks

32. For acne marks too, you could use a scrub made of nutmeg and milk powder, keep the consistency comfortable and use only less than few pinches of nutmeg powder, remember it is very potent. .....

Eczema

33. In case of red dry patches of eczema, you can rub nutmeg seed with water, just like you would make a paste of chandan stick, apply this paste on to eczema. But you must check if nutmeg works too strong for you or causes any irritation. .....

Cures joint pain

34. The essential oil of nutmeg brings relief from muscular and joint pain. Apply it to the area where there is a swelling and discomfort. Due to its antibacterial properties, this spice also helps in dental care and is often used as an ingredient in toothpastes. .....

Boosts immunity

35. Rich in potassium, calcium, iron and manganese, nutmeg helps to improve your bodys immune system. nutmeg has been used as a medicinal spice that brings relief from digestive problems. Grate this spice into your soup and stew. .....

Clears skin

36. Apply a little amount of nutmeg, ground and mixed with water or honey into a paste on your face. It can help clear your skin of scars and acne and also improve your complexion. You can add nutmeg to your face scrub for the same benefits. .....

Good source of minerals

37. This prized spice is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the body as cofactors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a cofactor for cytochrome oxidases enzymes. .....

Dosing

38. There are no clinical trials to support therapeutic dosing. Consumption of nutmeg at 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight was reported to induce CNS effects. Toxic overdose occurred at a 5 g dose. Nutmeg cures constipation and gallstones. It is also recommended in ayurveda as a tonic for the reproductive system. .....

Contraindications

39. Contraindications have not been identified. The excessive use of nutmeg or mace is not recommended in people with psychiatric conditions. Nutmeg is extensively used in traditional medicinal preparations because of its various medicinal properties. Nutmeg is used as an appetizer as it encourages appetite. .....

Pregnancy or Lactation

40. Generally recognized as safe when used in food as a flavoring agent. Safety for doses above those found in foods is unproven; avoid because of possible abortifacient effects. Nutmeg cures keratin menstrual disorders by regulating scanty periods. Nutmeg is used for curing sexual problems such as frigidity and impotence. .....

Botany and cultivation

41. Nutmeg is a dioecious plant which is propagated sexually and asexually, the latter being the standard. Sexual propagation by seedling yields 50% male seedlings, which are unproductive. As there is no reliable method of determining plant sex before flowering in the sixth to eighth year, and sexual propagation bears inconsistent yields, grafting is the preferred method of propagation. Epicotyl grafting, approach grafting and patch budding have prov .....

Antibacterial Properties

42. Nutmeg powder has strong antibacterial properties, according to research published in the .....

Anticonvulsant Properties

43. The volatile oil of nutmeg may also help to prevent or treat seizures. In a 2009 research study published in .....

Antidiarrheal Properties

44. In traditional folk medicine, nutmeg powder has been used to reduce flatulence, aid in digestion and improve appetite. It also helps to treat diarrhea, according to research published in 2002 in the journal .....

Identification

45. The myristica fragrans tree, native to the various Spice Islands, including Indonesia, Grenada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Trinidad, contains nutmeg. The seed of the apricotlike fruit, nutmeg became a popular spice in Europe during the Crusades when Middle Eastern cooking became more common. Nutmeg powder is made from the dried seed of the nutmeg tree. Nutmeg is a common addition to Indian and Middle Eastern dishes such as curry, potatoes and some s .....

Nutmeg powder

46. Nutmeg powder has a number of health benefits. Not only is nutmeg a common spice made from the kernel of an exotic fruit, but it also has antibacterial properties and contains ingredients that can help improve memory, benefit the heart, relax muscles and aid with digestion. However, nutmeg powder in excessive doses may cause an acute psychiatric disorders and hallucinations. .....

Dietary Fiber

47. Use nutmeg seed in your cooking as a source of dietary fiber a nutrient important for lifelong health. Fiber helps control both your blood cholesterol and your blood sugar levels, and following a fiberrich diet helps reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fiber also softens your stool, so youre less likely to suffer from constipation, and fights other digestive disorders, .....

Copper and Manganese

48. Nutmeg seed also offers health benefits by boosting your mineral intake, particularly copper and manganese. Both minerals help keep your skeleton strong and heathy. Manganese also helps you synthesize sex hormones, while copper boosts your immune system. A serving of ground nutmeg seed contains 0.41 milligram of manganese 23 and 18 percent of the recommended daily manganese intakes for women and men, respectively as well as 144 micrograms of co .....

Potential CancerFighting Benefits

49. Nutmeg seeds also house chemicals that might combat cancer growth. One study, published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand in 2007, found that unknown compounds in nutmeg were able to fight the growth of leukemia cells in testtube studies. An additional testtube study, published in the May 2005 issue of Toxicology Letters, found that nutmeg promoted brain cancer cell death. .....

Cooking Tips

50. For superior flavor, purchase whole nutmeg seeds and grate them using a fine grater before each use, rather than purchasing preground or grated nutmeg seed from the store. Use nutmeg to add flavor to baked goods such as pumpkin or banana wholegrain muffins or add it to smoothies. A mixture of unsweetened almond milk, Greek yogurt, frozen banana slices, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger makes for a festive gingerbread smoothie. Alternatively, use nutm .....

Everything in Moderation

51. Nutmeg as a dietary supplement or adding large amounts of it to your diet. Myristica oil, the natural oil found in nutmeg, can cause adverse reactions if consumed in large amounts. If you develop symptoms of Myristica oil poisoning which can include digestive upset, flushed skin, chest pain, confusion and hallucinations seek immediate medical attention. .....

How to Store

52. The freshness can be maintained longer if stored in an airtight container. Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. These elements hasten the loss of flavor and aroma. Avoid storing over the stove, dishwasher, sink or near a window. Should not be stored in the freezer. Freezing does not extend the shelf life of regularly used dried spices. If stored in the freezer, and repeatedly removed for use, condensation will form in the container .....

How to Prepare

53. Whole nuts are preferable to ground nutmeg, as flavor deteriorates quickly. Whole nuts will keep indefinitely and can be grated as required with a nutmeg grater. Store both ground and whole nutmeg away from sunlight in airtight containers. .....

Nutmeg Facts

54. Nutmeg is not one spice, but two. Mace is also derived from the nutmeg fruit. Youve probably used nutmeg in many dessert dishes, but it also works well in savory recipes. The nutmeg tree is evergreen, with oblong eggshaped leaves and small, belllike light yellow flowers that give off a distinct aroma when in bloom. The fruit is light yellow with red and green markings, resembling an apricot or a large plum. .....

Nutmeg benefits for infants

55. Nutmeg is useful for infants and helps treating infant abdominal problems, bloating, flatulence and constipation. It also helps improve their digestive system. It has mild sedative action which relaxes babies and relives any abdominal pain. .....

Nutmeg benefits to heart

56. Nutmeg is highly beneficial for improving the health of your heart. It helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases and also in boosting the performance of your heart. Nutmeg is a good source of potassium that helps in balancing the effects of sodium in your body, which in turn is beneficial in maintaining normal blood pressure. .....

Nutmeg has antioxidant properties

57. Nutmeg contains antioxidants that are capable of destroying the free radicals and preventing the harmful oxidative stress caused by them. The antioxidant effect is helpful in preventing early aging and also in preventing many kinds of diseases like cancer. .....

Nutmeg may help in managing diabetes

58. nutmeg may help in managing and treating diabetes. Studies conducted on rats showed that nutmeg helped in decreasing blood sugar levels, increasing the production of insulin by stimulating the pancreatic beta cells, and in improving the lipid profile in blood. .....

Nutmeg is an aphrodisiac

59. Nutmeg is considered to have aphrodisiac properties which increase sexual desire and libido.utmeg gives out a pleasant aroma and hence is used in making incense. Nutmeg oil is also used as room freshner. .....

Nutmeg increases red blood cell formation

60. Nutmeg is a good source of iron, which is helpful in increasing the count of red blood cells in your blood. As such it is beneficial for treating and preventing anemia. Nutmeg is typically used in the powdered form. Many other products like essential oils and nutmeg butter is also obtained from this wonderful spice. .....