Nutmeg - useful properties and contraindications

Nutmeg is not only an exquisite seasoning, it is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of joint diseases, nervous disorders, digestive problems and other ailments. The use of this spice in aromatherapy is due to its calming and relaxing effect. We will talk more about the beneficial properties and contraindications of nutmeg in the article. And also we will give advice on choosing this seasoning.

Useful properties of nutmeg

Nutmeg is a rich source of fatty acids, essential oils and micronutrients. Spice contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. This is what determines the benefits of nutmeg.

Spice affects many organ systems:

1. Improves digestive function by stimulating the production of enzymes.
2. Suppresses the development of pathogenic microorganisms in the mouth, stomach and intestines.
3. It relieves diarrhea, prevents gas formation.
4. Helps relieve intoxication symptoms in food poisoning, stops nausea and vomiting.
5. It has a positive effect on metabolism, accelerates the elimination of excess fluid, toxic compounds from the body.
6. It has diuretic properties.
7. Helps restore the cycle in women.
8. In men, improves erectile ability, supports libido.
9. It has an analgesic effect, therefore it is widely used to treat joint pain.
10. Regulates psycho-emotional reactions: helps calm down and relieve mental stress, focus.

Sometimes addictive properties of nutmeg are useful. This spice relaxes, gives a feeling of calm and delight, “cleanses” the mind.These properties are well reflected in people in a state of prolonged depression. But they are not advised to get involved in spices due to a possible overdose.

Composition and calorie content

Seasoning is quite high-calorie and contains a lot of fat, but this is not reflected in the daily balance of nutrients, because the fruits of nutmeg are used in very small quantities. Moreover, in whole and ground nuts, the ratio of nutrient components varies.

The vitamin and mineral composition of whole walnuts and ground spices is very different. This is due to the fact that vitamins are destroyed during the grinding and heat treatment of the powder in production.

Whole nutmeg contains almost all B vitamins in large quantities, as well as alpha-tocopherol and biotin. Minerals are represented by calcium, silicon, zinc, magnesium and manganese, selenium, copper, molybdenum, cobalt and phosphorus. In a word - a storehouse of substances necessary for the body.

The usefulness of ground spices is much less. Small amounts of B-group vitamins remain in it, of the minerals, only manganese, copper, phosphorus, calcium and zinc are present.

In addition to vitamins and elements, the composition of the fruit of the nutmeg tree includes substances that have biological activity. Among them, there are essential and fatty oils, alcohols and pigments, antiseptic compounds.

How to choose a spice?

Vitamin-mineral composition suggests that it is better to give preference to whole nuts.

When choosing, pay attention to the following nuances:

• buy fruits of light brown color;
• size not less than 3 cm, shape - oval;
• the surface should be smooth, without visible cracks.

Far from everywhere they sell whole nuts. Therefore, sometimes you have to buy a ready-made spice.

Here are some suggestions for choosing:

• do not buy ground spices in large quantities, its aroma expires over time;
• it is better not to purchase nutmeg in markets where jars of condiments stand open;
• you need to buy nutmeg in plastic or foil factory packaging, and not in paper.

By the way, sometimes spices are sold in a special mill. This is a good option, but it will cost a lot.

Nutmeg: Application

The fruit of the nutmeg tree is used for different purposes. Overseas spice found the most extensive application in cooking. But its useful properties allow it to be used in traditional medicine and cosmetology.

In folk medicine

Nutmeg has a number of healing properties that help treat various diseases. But do not forget that the spice must be used in very small doses, therefore the fruit of the nutmeg tree is used as an additional therapeutic agent, and not the main.

Here is a list of diseases in which the use of spice is effective:

1. Potency and sexual desire problems. Nutmeg stimulates blood circulation and blood flow to the penis. Spice can also be called an aphrodisiac: it enhances male libido.
2. Psycho-emotional problems. Spice has a positive effect on the nervous system, so it is often used in the fight against chronic fatigue and depression. Nutmeg soothes nerves and helps relieve stress.
3. Violations of the digestive tract. In the absence of appetite and increased gas formation, it is recommended to add spice to food.
4. Sore joints. With sprains, osteochondrosis, arthritis and other joint diseases, nutmeg is used externally as a lotion and compress. The spice has a slight warming effect, improves blood circulation and relieves inflammation in sore spots.

Less often, the fruits of the nutmeg tree are used for the complex treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, with stagnation of urine and vascular pathologies. Moreover, in folk medicine, not only the nut itself is used, but also oil.

Examples of effective nutmeg recipes:

1. Tincture for potency. To eliminate male problems, grated nut (100 g) is insisted on vodka (500 ml) in a glass container for 2 weeks. The medicine is taken every evening before bedtime, 1 dessert spoon. To enhance the effect in this tincture, you can add a little ginger.
2. Ointment for joints. For joint pain, a mixture of spice and sunflower oil, mixed in equal volumes, helps. The ointment is slightly warmed, applied to the skin over a sore joint, the exposure time is 15 minutes.
3. Appetite-improving cocktail. To improve digestion, ½ teaspoon is placed in 100 ml of natural yogurt. powdered ginger and nutmeg. Add another 100 ml of water and stir. To take such a cocktail is better in the morning.
4. Nutmeg milk. This tool helps to calm the nervous system, cope with stress and insomnia. For cooking in warm milk (200 ml) dissolve 1 tbsp. l honey and ¼ tsp spice. Nutmeg should be drunk before bedtime.

The grated fruit of a nutmeg tree is sometimes simply added to food to improve digestion and stimulate brain activity.

Nutmeg in cosmetology

It is advisable to add grated nutmeg to creams and scrubs for skin problems. The spice cleans the pores well, eliminates peeling and stimulates blood circulation. As a result, the skin becomes less oily, the pores narrow, and the complexion improves.

Here are some effective cosmetic recipes:

1. Cleansing scrub. 1 nutmeg and 10 g of lentils should be chopped and added to the powder chamomile infusion (3 tbsp. L). Apply the resulting slurry to the skin of the face, massage it gently and rinse with warm water using a sponge.
2. Acne mask. To 1 tsp. spices need to add 1 tsp. sour cream. Apply a thick layer on the face and hold for 15 minutes, then wash.
3. Wrinkle honey mask. For cooking, you will need not fruit, but nutmeg oil. It is mixed in equal proportions with warmed honey and applied to the face. You can rinse off after 20 minutes. The same tool should be used for massage.

You can treat the skin of the elbows and heels with nutmeg oil to make it softer.

In cooking

The most common way to use the spice is to use it in cooking. Spice is added to various sauces, pastries, hot and cold dishes. And it is also used in the preservation and preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Spicy nutmeg taste goes well with cheeses, meat, fish, gives an additional zest to vegetable dishes and jams.

Here's how people around the world use this spice:

• Asians powder fruit slices;
• Italians season with nutmeg ravioli;
• the Swiss sometimes put seasoning in fondue.

Nutmeg, along with cloves and cinnamon, is essential for making mulled wine. The powder goes well with other spices (ginger, allspice, cardamom, etc.).

It has been proven that meat flavored with nutmeg is digested much faster.

This spice also stimulates the absorption of nutrients.

Nutmeg Slimming

Some people think that nutmeg contributes to quick weight loss. Alas, the opinion is erroneous.

The substances that make up the fruit of the nutmeg tree accelerate metabolism, but at the same time increase appetite. Do not rely on the fact that eating seasoned food (especially flour products), you will quickly begin to lose weight. After all, proper weight loss includes not only what a person eats, but also his physical activity.

Possible harm from use

With moderate use, nutmeg cannot be harmful.

But still they do not recommend eating it in the following categories of the population:

1. Children under 3 years old.
2. Pregnant women.
3. Persons with serious disorders of the central nervous system and psyche.
4. Allergy sufferers.

It is also worth remembering that abuse of seasoning can provoke undesirable effects.We have already noted that the narcological properties of nutmeg are manifested by a change in consciousness. If you use spice in large quantities, it can come to hallucinations.

Also, the consequences of abuse can be:

• reactions from the digestive tract: nausea and vomiting, pain in the stomach, malfunctioning of the liver, constipation;
• allergic rashes and itching (urticaria), redness of the eyes;
• cardiovascular reactions: rapid and uneven pulse, "jumping" pressure;
• increased drowsiness, lethargy, temporary speech disorders.

Read also: pressure reducing products

Remember that these effects may occur if you consume over 2 g of nutmeg at a time.

In the absence of contraindications, nutmeg will help calm the nervous system, relieve joint pain, improve potency and cope with gastrointestinal problems. This spice can be added to a variety of dishes to give them an interesting taste and aroma.