[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are cooler temperatures and shorter days making you crave seasonal treats like hot chocolate or eggnog? This time of year, spices take front and center!
Nutmeg for instance, often inspires thoughts of holiday beverages and desserts, but did you know that it has been used in ancient healing traditions for centuries as medicine?
It originates from the evergreen tree
Myritica fragrans, which is native to the Indonesian Islands but is also cultivated in the West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines in hot and moist climates. Nutmeg is actually not a nut at all but a seed which is extracted from the harvested fruit and made into a powder, a butter or an essential oil, depending on how it’s processed.
Want to incorporate more nutmeg into your life? Keep reading to learn some fun facts about this potent spice plus interesting ways to use it this season.
5 Nutmeg Benefits
1. Antioxidant dense
You’ve heard of antioxidants, right? They neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are volatile molecules created by the radioactivity of the sun or by environmental pollutants that can cause oxidative damage to cells, resulting in certain cancers or heart and neurodegenerative diseases. Nutmeg just happens to be
loaded with powerful antioxidants including vitamins A and C, essential oils such as phenylpropanoids and terpenes, and phenolic compounds, including protocatechuic, ferulic and caffeic acids. These compounds have a protective effect on the body, shielding it from damage and disease.
Do it Yourself: To bridge the season between summer and fall, why not make an antioxidant dense,
pumpkin-flavored milkshake? Classic fall spices blend with a little frozen yogurt for a delicious confection that is also laden with the antioxidants present in pumpkin puree and the spice blend. In a blender, combine a half a cup of
pumpkin puree with ¼ cup of either milk or a
non-dairy substitute, half a frozen banana, a cup of frozen vanilla yogurt (or vegan ice cream), a teaspoon of
pumpkin pie spices and a large sheet of
graham crackers. Blend until smooth. Top with some whipped cream, a pinch of nutmeg and a straw.
2. A natural sleep aid
Ever tried using nutmeg to help you sleep? A natural chemical called trimyristin found in this unexpected spice is responsible for inducing slumber, relaxing tense muscles and calming agitated nerves. According to Ayurveda, a pinch of nutmeg or Jaiphal (as it’s known in Hindi) in a glass of warm milk will send you straight to sleep. Milk is the perfect complement because it contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps to raise serotonin and melatonin levels in the body, both of which can help prompt sleepiness.
Do it yourself: Bring a cup of full-fat milk to simmer. Heating the milk is key, as boiling it helps to simplify the molecular structure of the milk, making it easier to digest. A non-dairy substitute like
almond or
coconut milk may also be used instead if you prefer. Once the milk (or milk substitute) is bubbling, bring the heat down and add half a teaspoon of
ground nutmeg. If you like your beverages sweetened, some
honey to taste. Stir together for a few minutes, then pour into a strainer over a mug to remove the gritty powder and top with a sprinkle of
cinnamon. Imbibe right before you hit the hay!
3. May improve libido
Ancient Unani healers from Southern Asia were ahead of their time when they turned to nutmeg to improve sexual responsiveness as it has shown promising results with animals in laboratory studies. Though more
research is needed to fully understand how the spice acts as an aphrodisiac, it could have something to do with a compound found in it called myristicin, which has the ability to stimulate the central nervous system and increase circulation while additional compounds in nutmeg also sedate or calm the mind.
Do it yourself: Make your own sensual massage oil by combining 8 teaspoons of a carrier oil such as
jojoba oil with the well-known, arousing scents of
ylang ylang essential oil (4 drops) and
patchouli essential oil (8 drops) plus aromas that will improve circulation like
cypress essential oil (2 drops) and of course,
nutmeg essential oil (8 drops).
4. Great for teeth and gums
Not only is it anti-inflammatory, but this fragrant spice is also antibacterial.
Multiple studies show how well it inhibits the growth of common strains of harmful bacteria found in the mouth and gums, such as S
treptococcus mutans or
Porphyromonas gingivalis, which are known to cause cavities and gum disease. Nutmeg is very high in monoterpenes, which helps to create an environment that is unfriendly to bacteria. It has even been shown to inhibit the growth of certain strains of
E. coli.
Do it yourself: Make a cleansing nutmeg and clove mouthwash by combining a cup of filtered water with 4 teaspoons of
baking soda, 4 drops of
clove essential oil and 4 drops of
nutmeg essential oil in a mason jar or similar container with a lid. Shake it up and use about 2 tablespoons of this mixture each day to rinse out your mouth and freshen your breath. But remember to rinse only – do not ingest. The baking soda will naturally settle to the bottom of the container over time so it is best to shake it well before each use.
5. Get radiant skin
Nutmeg is a star player in skincare because of its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties which help treat acne, tone down redness and irritation, as well as shrink blackheads and clogged pores. It also contains compounds that help inhibit melanin production, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone. And don’t forget that its potent blend of antioxidants also prevents damage that can lead to premature aging by combating harmful free radicals and pollutants.
Do it yourself: Mixing equal parts of
ground nutmeg and
honey, make a paste and apply it on pimples. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Or give your pores a detox by making a face scrub using nutmeg powder and a few drops of milk. The lactic acid in the milk will also help exfoliate your skin. Massage the gritty powder into your pores before rinsing clean. And remember to always perform a patch skin test first to check for any adverse reactions.
The fragrant aroma that nutmeg exudes is due to one of its main constituents, myristicin, the same compound discussed earlier that can help improve libido. Myristicin is a powerful chemical compound that in larger doses can also cause hallucinations, dizziness, grogginess, nausea and dry mouth.
Use caution! As little as 10 grams or
2 teaspoons of nutmeg can be enough to bring on these symptoms. Proceed with care when using this spice. In excess, myristicin can be psychoactive but at low doses can also soothe the mind, increase antioxidant activity and improve circulation. With a little caution this holiday season, let nutmeg take center stage. Not only will it sweeten your lattes and eggnog, but it will also add multiple benefits to your skin, breath, mood and sleep habits![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="170793" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1701292123298{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/frontier-co-op-nutmeg-whole-1-59-oz"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="170795" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1701292141641{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/organic-traditions-chocolate-latte-with-ashwagandha-and-probiotics"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="170794" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1701292155917{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/now-essential-oils-nutmeg"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
