Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus Myristica. Myristica fragrans (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, and mace, from the seed covering. It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter. The California nutmeg, Torreya californica, has a seed of similar appearance, but is not closely related to Myristica fragrans, and is not used as a spice. Indonesia is the main producers of nutmeg and mace.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a spice that is commonly used in baked goods, holiday treats, ethnic cuisine, and beverages. The spice is produced by grinding nutmeg seeds that come from a flowering plant of the Myristicaceae family (sometimes called the nutmeg family)—native to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The spice has a sweet taste and is often paired with other sweet spices including cinnamon, clove, and allspice.
* Amazing Benefits of Nutmeg :
1. Helps Improve Digestion :
Nutmeg is known to have medicinal properties that can treat stomach ulcers and help in digestion. A lot of people add this spice to food, as it helps with easy digestion. Sometimes, even Indian desserts are laced with a little nutmeg for the same reason.
2. Helps Treat Insomnia :
Nutmeg seems to have properties to treat insomnia as well. A little nutmeg, in a glass of warm milk, has proven to induce sleepiness in many people. A lot of mothers give their children warm milk with a little bit of nutmeg powder mixed in it. This is an age-old tradition that has been passed on for generations because it is, in fact, highly effective. In fact, nutmeg for inducing sleep is an organic and healthy way of treating insomnia.
3. Helps Relieve Pain :
Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and discomfort. This spice has chemicals like myristicin, elemicin, safrole, and eugenol that makes it useful for treating pain. These chemicals are found in the oil of nutmeg. The benefits of nutmeg oil include treating swelling, inflammation, joint pain, muscle spasms, pains, and sores.
4. Helps in Brain Activity :
Nutmeg works as an aphrodisiac, which means it can stimulate the nerve cells in the brain. The chemicals in this spice can help release feel-good hormones in the body, which in turn has a calming effect on you. Since it lifts your mood and works as a tonic, nutmeg is a great option to help treat stress.
5. Great for Your Skin :
If you are on the lookout for a natural product that can do wonders for your skin, then nutmeg is your answer. There are many benefits of nutmeg for face and skin. Its many antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can help keep the skin healthy, supple, and unclog pores and blackheads. Nutmeg works as a great face scrub. The best way to use this spice for your skin is by mixing it in powdered form with honey and gently scrubbing your skin.
6. Helps Treat Bad Breath :
Bad breath is an overload toxin in your body. Nutmeg is known to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and this can help clean your system. One of the essential oils that are found in nutmeg is eugenol, which can help relieve a toothache as well. Macelignan, a chemical found in nutmeg, can help prevent cavities.
7. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure and Circulation :
Nutmeg is rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron, all of which help in regulating blood pressure and enhance the circulation of blood. These minerals have the effect of reducing stress, and further, relax the blood vessels and aid in the regulation of blood pressure.
8. Helps Protect the Liver :
Nutmeg is rich in myrislignan, which can help treat liver disorders and injuries. Research suggests that the extracts found in nutmeg can help treat hepatitis inflammations. Nutmeg, as mentioned before, has anti-inflammatory properties as well, and can help treat an inflamed liver. It can also help remove toxins for the body, particularly the liver.
9. Has Antidepressant Properties :
Nutmeg has a calming effect on the body, which makes it a great antidepressant. A lot of Ayurvedic-based medicines use this spice as a part of the medication in treating depression and anxiety.
10. Has Anti-Cancer Properties :
Nutmeg has chemopreventive properties that can help prevent cancer. The chemical myristicin present in nutmeg can help fight the growth of cancer cells and the of leukaemia.
11. Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels :
Consuming nutmeg in appropriate quantities has shown to lower cholesterol levels as well. This spice has the property of lowering hypolipidemic effects that help trigger a rise in cholesterol levels.
12. Helps Provide Relief from Diarrhoea :
While we’ve earlier mentioned that nutmeg helps with digestion, this spice can help treat and provide relief from diarrhoea as well. Nutmeg has chemicals with carminative properties. The best way to consume nutmeg for treating diarrhoea is by consuming it with cold water.
13. Nutmeg for Hair Growth :
Nutmeg is a great organic product for hair growth as well. The antimicrobial properties that it possesses can help keep the scalp clean and prevent dandruff. There are many over-the-counter shampoos that have nutmeg as the base ingredient, and you can purchase this, or you can make your own hair remedy with nutmeg powder, coconut oil, and honey.
14. Nutmeg for Weight Loss :
Nutmeg helps in aiding weight loss as well. It can help the body eliminate toxins, and the digestive properties that it has can help in increasing metabolism, thereby helping with weight loss .
* Side Effects of Nutmeg:
While nutmeg has several nutritional benefits, too much of this spice can have an adverse effect on your body. Here are a few side effects that come with excessive consumption of nutmeg –
1. Gastrointestinal Reactions :
While nutmeg is good for digestion and treating diarrhoea, excessive consumption of this spice can, in fact, further trigger gastrointestinal reactions like diarrhoea, bloating, and even constipation.
2. Can Have a Hallucinogenic Effect :
The chemical myristicin that is found in nutmeg has a calming and relaxing effect on the brain’s nerve cells, but consuming too much of this drug has shown to have a hallucinogenic effect as well.
3. Palpitation :
Consumption of this spice can cause an upsurge in the rate of your heartbeat. Go for immediate medical attention if you experience heart palpitations.
4. Excessive Consumption Can Adversely Affect Pregnancy :
Nutmeg in large quantities can have an adverse effect on pregnant women and the fetus. The hallucinogenic effect it has may be dangerous to the fetus. It also inhibits the production of prostaglandin, which is important in the process of childbirth.
☆ Mace (Javitri) :
Mace (Javitri) , spice consisting of the dried aril, or lacy covering, of the nutmeg fruit of Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree. Mace has a slightly warm taste and a fragrance similar to that of nutmeg. It is used to flavour bakery, meat, and fish dishes; to flavour sauces and vegetables; and in preserving and pickling.
In the processing of mace, the crimson-coloured aril is removed from the nutmeg that it envelops and is flattened out and dried for 10 to 14 days; its colour changes to pale yellow, orange, or tan. Whole dry mace consists of flat pieces—branched or segmented, smooth, horny, and brittle—about 40 mm (1.6 inches) long.
* MEDICINAL USES OF JAVITRI:
• Used to balance the blood sugar levels and to treat urinary tract infections.
• It acts as a cardiac tonic and improves the heart metabolism.
• It has aphrodisiac properties which can improve the vigor.
• Very useful in clearing throat, cough, asthma, throat pain, irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea due to its water absorbing and sputum absorbing properties.
• It reduces bad breath in mouth, moisture in mouth and excessive thirst.
• Used to relieve bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain.
• It acts as an appetizer, improves taste and digestion strength.
• Can treat intestinal worm and intestinal infections.
• It can relieve nausea and vomiting.
• Javitri can reduce the allergic rhinitis.
• It is a natural detoxifier which improves the skin tone and complexion.
• It improves deep sleep and treats insomnia.
• Paste made of Javitri can relieve headache and joint pains.
• Useful in convulsions and epilepsy.
• Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
• The oil acts as a stimulant and is applied externally on penis to treat erectile dysfunction.
• Javitri is extensively recommended in pregnancy.
• It is known to relive depression.
• It boosts immunity and resistance power.
• It can detoxify kidneys and liver.
* Mace Spice (Javitri) Side-Effects & Allergies :
Mace is a plant product and is unsafe if consumed in larger than permissible quantities. It could be one of the major reasons for a miscarriage in a pregnant woman or a defect in the newly born. While with the given statement, this could be the case as dangerous for nursing mothers too. Mace has also been linked to hallucinations if taken regularly in heavyr dosage.
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