Health Benefits of Nutmeg http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/7-health-benefits-nutmegprovides.

html

1. Brain Tonic
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.

2. Pain Relief
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.

3. Indigestion Relief
If you suffer from digestion-related 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.

4. Bad Breath Treatment

Because of its antibacterial properties, nutmeg can also effectively treat halitosis or bad breath. As you probably know, bad breath is usually caused by a build-up 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.

5. Liver and Kidney Detox

Detoxification is an important factor of good health. Diet, pollution, stress, tobacco, medication and other external substances can lead to the build-up of toxins in your organs. The liver and kidney are two of the organs where this toxic build-up 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 preventing and dissolving kidney stones. When your liver and kidney are successfully detoxified, they can perform their function better.

6. Skin Care
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 less noticeable. What you need to do is mix some nutmeg powder with some honey to make a paste, which you will then apply to the acne marks.

7. Sleep Aid
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.

http://completewellbeing.com/article/a-nutty-affair/
Nutmeg is a small package with several big benefits. Its used for prevention and healing of many known conditions. Here are some most common uses of nutmeg:

Medically, nutmeg has strong antibacterial properties. It is effective in killing a number of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Like cloves, nutmeg contains eugenol, a compound that may benefit the heart. Myristicin found in nutmeg has been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the brain that contributes to Alzheimers disease and is used to improve memory.

It is used in small dosages to reduce flatulence [excessive stomach or intestinal gas], aid digestion and improve appetite.

In Arab countries, nutmeg is valued as an aphrodisiac [substance believed to increase sexual desire]. Nutmeg can help to combat asthma. It is also used to relax muscles. Nutmeg contains 10 per cent essential oil which is a colourless or light yellow liquid. The oil is obtained by the steam distillation of ground nutmeg. Besides being used in toothpastes, cough syrups, perfumes and cosmetic industry, externally nutmeg oil is mixed with almond oil and is used to relieve rheumatic pain.

Nutmeg oil is used to treat toothaches. Drops of essential oil are put on cotton swab and applied to the gums around an aching tooth, sometimes also used to control bad breath.

Drops of nutmeg oil can also be mixed with honey to treat nausea, gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhoea and indigestion.

In homoeopathy, nutmeg is used to treat anxiety and depression. In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat impotence and liver disease.

Safety alert

Nutmeg should be used in moderationa pinch or two is considered safe. However, large doses can trigger an acute psychiatric disorder. Nutmeg contains myristicin, which in large doses can cause hallucinations. Users may feel a sensation of blood rush to the head or a strong euphoria and dissociation. It can also lead to convulsions, palpitations, generalised body pain, vomiting, nausea and eventual dehydration. Followed by long, deep almost coma-like sleep, it can even cause death.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid the use of nutmeg. It can cause miscarriage in pregnant women. It also inhibits prostaglandin production [involved in child birth process] and contains hallucinogens that may affect the foetus, if consumed in large quantities. It can also trigger dizziness, nausea and difficulty in urination.

Touching nutmeg can cause allergic skin reaction. It should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Simple cures Nutmeg can also be used to soothe common problems. To control acne, grind 2 3 nutmeg seeds and add little milk to make a paste. After washing the face with warm water, pat it dry, and then spread the paste evenly over the acne. After two hours, use warm water to remove the paste, followed by cold water to close the pores. This paste also acts as a scrub to treat blackheads. To promote sleep, drink one cup of milk boiled with 1/4th teaspoon of ground nutmeg. To soothe eczema [red scaly patches], make a nutmeg paste by grinding nutmeg seeds with water and smear the paste over the scaly patches.

To calm chest cold, make a paste of nutmeg powder and flour with water. Cover the cotton cloth with paste and apply to the chest. To relieve diarrhoea, drink a filtered mix of 1/4th teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ? teaspoon of ground coffee in one cup of water. Note: Home remedies should not be tried without consulting the physician.

Nutmeg rules
The best way to select nutmeg. Since the flavour degrades quickly, it is better to buy nutmeg for use in a month. The superior quality nutmegs are larger in size, round and weigh around 7 8g. The smaller grades weigh around 3g and the lowest quality are smaller nutmeg fragments. Testing for good quality fresh nutmeg is as easy as inserting a needle 1cm into the seed, if a tiny drop of oil seeps out, the nut is good. More commonly, people purchase. Ground nutmeg for ready sprinkling. Ground nutmeg should be used quickly to get the best flavour, as the flavour deteriorates overtime when it comes in contact with air and other aromas in the kitchen. Smell the nutmeg each time before you use, to make sure its still fresh and flavourful. Before purchasing ground nutmeg, dont forget to check for the airtight seal and an expiration date printed on the side. The best way to cook nutmeg.Use nutmeg only if the recipe specifically states the use of it, as it is preferable not to experiment with the flavour of nutmeg. Once it is ground, nutmeg loses the oils which provide its flavour and taste. A nutmeg grater can be used for this purposea grater with a finest blade is preferable. It is advisable to use only small amounts of nutmeg in any recipe; otherwise it can overpower a dish. Lastly remember, adding nutmeg early in the cooking process can help distribute the spice more evenly into the dish. The best way to store nutmeg. Store ground and whole nutmeg away from sunlight in airtight containers. Avoid storing over the stove, sink, near a window or near a source of heat or moisture as heat can cause the spice to stale quickly. Even though nutmeg is dry, it is heat sensitive and exposure to steam can increase the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination. If stored in a freezer and repeatedly removed for use, condensation will form, which will accelerate loss of flavour and aroma. Ground nutmeg keeps best in the dark. If the nutmeg you buy comes in a clear bottle, consider transferring to a brown glass jar or opaque container. Ground nutmeg should have a pungent, spicy scent and should be a light fluffy powder, not sticky, clumpy or odourless.

Culinary companions

The flavour of nutmeg works well in:

Sweet preparations like pies, puddings, custards, cookies, souffles, cakes and pastries. It can also accompany sweet sauces, stewed fruits and raisins, breakfast cereals, iced nutmeg juice, nutmeg flavoured ice-cream and to make jam.

Savoury dishes like cheese sauces, soups, gravies, pickles and works well when combined with tomatoes, peas, black beans, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, onions, eggplant, cauliflower, french beans, carrots, potatoes and pumpkin. It also combines well with egg, chicken, meat products, pasta and rice.

Beverage toppings like eggnog, cappuccino foam, tea froth, milkshake, black coffee, sometimes wine and punches. Note: One whole nutmeg grated is equal to 2 3 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/nutmeg.html

Nutmeg spice nutrition facts

Wonderful, rich in fragrance nutmeg is one of the highly prized spices known since antiquity for its aromatic, aphrodisiac, and curative properties. Nutmegs are evergreen trees, native to the rain forest Indonesian Moluccas Island, also known as the Spice Islands. Botanically, the plant belongs to Myristicaceae family and known as Myristica fragrans. Several species grown all over the world other than Myristica species, such as M. argentea, M. malabarica (Indian), and M. fatua, are rather similar to M. fragrans in appearance, however have less intense flavor and aroma.

raw nutmeg fruit with central seed and lacy mace

Dried whole nutmegs with orange-colored mace surrounding the dried nut

Grated nutmeg is used as a spice

This spice tree grows to about 50-60 feet in height, is the source of nutmeg and mace, two valuable spices. The fruit, in fact, is a drupe, which when fully ripen splits up to reveal single centrally placed oval shaped hard seed known as "nutmeg". The seed is closely enveloped by crimson-red colored lacy or thread like arils known as "mace".

Processing
Nutmeg tree yields up to three times a year. Once harvested from the tree, the outer coat or husk is removed. The aril, also known as "mace", is gently peeled off from the outer surface of the kernel, flattened into strips, dried, and sold either as whole strips or finely ground. The whole kernels are then sun-dried for several days to weeks, or sometimes, more rapidly over a hot drier machine till the whole nutmeg rattle inside the shell. The shell is then broken and inside shriveled nut is taken out. Finally nuts are dipped in lime water in order to prevent insect infestation and seed germination.

Health benefits of nutmeg and mace

Nutmeg spice as well as mace contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties. The spicy nut contains fixed oil trimyristin and many essential volatile oils such as which gives sweet aromatic flavor to nutmeg like myristicin, elemicin, eugenol and safrole. The other volatile oils arepinene, camphene, dipentene, cineole, linalool, sabinene, safrole, terpeniol. The active principles in nutmeg have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as anti-fungal, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, digestive and carminative functions. This prized spice is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and magnesium. Potassium in 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 co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidases enzymes. It is also rich in many vital B-complex vitamins including vitamin C, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A and many flavonoid anti-oxidants like beta carotene and cryptoxanthins that are essential for optimum health.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Grounded form, Nutritional value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base) Nutrient Value
525 Kcal 49.29 g 5.84 g 36.31 g 0 mg 20.8 g

Principle

Percentage of RDA
26 38% 10% 180% 0% 55%

Energy Carbohydrates Protein Total Fat Cholesterol Dietary Fiber

Vitamins
Folates 76 mcg 19%

Niacin Pyridoxine Riboflavin Thiamin Vitamin-A Vitamin C

1.299 mg 0.160 mg 0.057 mg 29% 3.5% 3 mg

8% 12% 4% 0.346 mg 102 IU 5%

Electrolytes
Sodium Potassium 16 mg 350 mg 1% 7.5%

Minerals
Calcium Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Phosphorus Zinc 184 mg 1.027 mg 3.04 mg 183 mg 2.900 mg 213 mg 2.15 mg 18% 114% 38% 46% 126% 30% 20%

Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-- Crypto-xanthin- Lutein-zeaxanthin 16 mcg 90 mcg 0 mcg ----

Selection and storage

In the stores, one can get whole nutmeg as well as grounded powder. Whenever possible buy whole nuts instead of powder form since often times it may adulterated with other inferior quality nutmeg verities. Choose well sealed pack from the authentic brands from the reputable selling company which includes date of package and expiry.

Once at home, store the whole nuts as well as grounded form in an airtight container and place cool, dark and dry place, where it can stay for several months.

Medicinal use
Since ancient times this spicy nut and its oil were being used in many 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 stimulant properties on brain. Nutmeg oil contains eugenol and has been used in dentistry for toothache relief and to offbeat bad breath. The oil is also used as a local massage to reduce muscular pain and rheumatic pain of joints. Freshly prepared decoction with honey mix has been used to relief of nausea, gastritis, indigestion ailments.

Culinary uses
Both nutmeg as well as mace is used in cooking recipes. Mace has delicate flavor and gives saffron-like orange-red color to the food items. Whole nuts preferred over grounded form since it is rich in essential oils which gives flavor and freshness to recipes. Whole seeds can be grated or milled then added to the recipes at the last moment of cooking.

<-Nutmegs with grater. (Photo courtesy by-kochtopf) Here are some serving tips: Nutmeg and mace are being used in sauces, soups, and in confectionary. Aromatic mace is especially used as a colorant and flavoring agent in sweets, pie, cakes, donuts, etc. The spice is also being used as one of the common ingredient in curry powder to marinate meat and vegetable dishes in many Asian regions.

Safety profile
Consumption of nutmeg in large doses causes lack of concentration, sweating, palpitations, body pain and in severe cases hallucination and delirium.

In very small doses it can be used safely in pregnancy and lactation.

(Medical disclaimer: The information and reference guides in this website are intended solely for the general information for the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications.)

ROU DOU KOU MAKE SURE YOU KNOW DIFF BETWEEN NUTMEG AND MACE