The sweet-smelling nutmeg is the home of absolute piquancy, tranquil sleep, good cognitive health, and much more tonic benefits that come with its use.
“I love the scent of winter. For me, it’s all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread, and spruce.”
Acknowledged by the international singer and songwriter, nutmeg stands amongst the highly recognized spices of all time. History has it that this hard nut is native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia. It first gained massive popularity across the globe in the 1500s when it was discovered to treat plague. And later, it became an expensive commodity that was affiliated to the wealthy Europeans in the 1600s.
Despite being endemic to the Banda Islands, the ancient inhabitants of these islands used nutmeg as food, not for medical applications. According to Otto Warburg’s book on nutmeg’s history, nutmeg benefits as a medication started with the Arab herbalists in the 7th century. It was useful in treating digestive, kidney, and liver complications in that era.
Today, nutmeg still holds umpteen worth with multiple health benefits, some scientifically proven and some not yet proven.
Nutmeg Benefits Proven by Scientists:
#1. Improved Sleep Cycle
Nutmeg induces sleep with its nerve-relaxing prowess when taken in small doses. It calms the mind with its tranquility effects. You can boil the grated nutmeg in water to make nutmeg tea, commonly known as jaiphal tea. Then strain and take the hot liquid after dinner to initiate a sound sleep.
#2. Rich Source of Antioxidants
Nutmeg is proven to have a high antioxidants level that is important in fighting aging, cancer, and cardiovascular complications.
#3. A Powerful Analgesic
Nutmeg has a high pain-relieving capability courtesy of the myriad of essential oils such as eugenol and elemicin. It soothes the sore body parts and excruciating joint pains.
#4. An Anti-inflammatory Agent
Besides its analgesic properties, nutmeg is an excellent anti-inflammatory remedy. It boosts the body’s immune power in getting rid of body swellings and irritating allergic reactions.
#5. Increases One’s Sex Drive
One hormone known for heightening sex libido is serotonin. Nutmeg works magically like serotonin and is an excellent alternative for viagra in men and women if you want your sex life spiced up.
#6. A Useful Skin Exfoliant
Good skincare is crucial at any age, even at old age. Incorporate nutmeg (mixed with honey) into your skincare routine and forever say goodbye to dull skin and hyperpigmentation. Such a nutmeg mixture is a cheaper and easily accessible exfoliant for rejuvenating your skin’s brightness and for a smooth skin texture.
#7. Weight loss Effects
The only secret to an effective weight loss journey is catalyzing the body’s metabolism. One way to achieve this is by adding sprinkles of nutmeg to coffee or your black tea, putting in mind the safest daily limit should be 120mg.
#8. An Ideal Brain Booster
Nutmeg benefits has myristicin, an essential oil that fights fatigue, boosts mood, and rejuvenates the brain’s functionality such that your level of concentration sharpens. It’s a great brain stimulant.
#9. Promotes Healthy Digestion
Since nutmeg is rich in fiber, it helps in the proper working of the digestive system, right from the mouth to the colon. It protects you against constipation, bloating, and indigestion.
#10. Prevents Oral Health Problems
With its antibacterial properties, it kills the bacteria in the mouth guilty of causing a foul smell. In fact, nutmeg is one of the most active ingredients of toothpaste. You can add a dash to your mouthwash, for good breath.
How to use Nutmeg to Achieve Desired Benefits
Nutmeg may be freshly grated or ground. But since it’s not freshly available in most parts of the world, you’ll quickly find it as a dry ground brown spice. Apart from cinnamon, ginger, it’s common, especially in the winter and fall seasons, owing to its warm and nut-like taste that most westerners love.
A first-time nutmeg user might need ideas as a starting ground on how to use your nutmeg powder. It’s known for creamy, cheesy, and curry culinary cuisines, yes, but which exact dishes are made with nutmeg. Also, which nutritional benefits should you expect from nutmeg delicacies?
Quick Tips On Using Nutmeg:
Here are the simplest ways to maneuver around nutmeg recipes:
- Use it as a baking ingredient, for instance, when baking bread or aromatic cakes.
- Efficiently works as a seasoning spice on veggies of your choice.
- Incorporate it into breakfast dishes. You can sprinkle a pinch on your breakfast cereals or add hot beverages such as coffee, Milk or white tea.
However, the method of use varies from country to country. In Caribbean dishes, for example, nutmeg is a must-have in jerk seasonings. At the same time, in Dutch cuisines, this savory spice is used on vegetables such as cauliflowers and most potato servings.
Nutmeg’s Nutritional Facts
Nutmeg Benefits : Main Source: USDA FoodData Central (U.S. Department of agriculture)
A 100 grams nutmeg serving comprises these nutrients (with the highest nutritional value):
- Energy: 525 kcal calories
- Carbs : 49.3g
- Fat (total lipid): 36.3g
- Fiber: 20.8g
- Water: 6.23g
- Protein: 5.84g
- Sugars: 2.99g
Nutmeg is also attributed to providing:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin A, C, and B6
Large Nutmeg Doses, Toxic?
Nutmeg, for centuries, has been the in-thing in traditional medicinal practices worldwide. Old folks would propose that nutmeg is one of the safest remedies existing for human consumption. However, despite the many alleged health benefits of nutmeg, it’s recommended not to throw caution to the wind by taking nutmeg in large quantities.
That’s why pregnant women are encouraged to observe a low intake of nutmeg because of the high risks of miscarriages.
Larger doses exceeding 120 mg daily have been reported to be highly toxic as the nutmeg constituents may have psychoactive and hallucinatory effects. It affects the nervous system and adversely causes a stomach disorder aside from other side effects of nutmeg. Bear in mind that too much of any substance is harmful to a person’s health.
The Bottom Line : Nutmeg Benefits
The listed health benefits of nutmeg are just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless medicinal benefits of nutmeg conventionally famous for thousands of years. And you are indeed lucky to have discovered science-backed benefits right here. As usual, we are committed to assisting you in achieving a healthy diet incorporating great superfoods. Good health is above wealth, after all.
Did we leave out any nutmeg benefits? Do you have some unique ideas on how to use nutmeg? Let us know in the comment section below. And if intrigued by this article, feel free to share with your besties!
Holistic coverage of whole information on nutmeg.. Great blog post
Great post, really interesting facts.