Do you know about the wonderful properties of Nutmeg?
- Dr. Ani
- Jun 26, 2021
- 4 min read
Nutmeg is another powerful spice (similar to cardamom), that not only has a very pleasant and fragrant taste but also has a lot of health benefits. In ancient times, it was so valued that some people killed others to possess it. Though nowadays it is grown in different regions of the world, initially it was indigenous to only a few places such as the Banda Islands (Indonesia), India and Sri Lanka. The Banda islands consist of nine islands, the largest of them being the Great Banda Island. It has an approximate population of 20,000 people and 66 square miles of land. Today, the Banda islands are a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling due to their stunning beauty.
At present, the main supplier of nutmeg for the USA is the Caribbean island of Grenada (not to be confused with Grenada of Spain). Grenada produces so much spice for export, that it has been nicknamed “the Spice Island”. In honor of how much this spice production has done for the island’s economy, the national flag of Grenada has a nutmeg fruit and seed displayed on it.
Nutmeg has a very interesting history.
It is not a plant, nor a bush, but an up to sixty-five foot tall evergreen tree.
Once planted, the nutmeg tree does not yield fruit for eight years (now you can understand why people were killed for this spice). However, once the tree starts producing fruit, it will give thousands of nutmeg pods a year for approximately 60 years.
Nutmeg is not a nut.
Yes, I know, it is confusing to me too, since there is “nut” right in its name. Nutmeg is a large, oval and hard seed inside a round and light-yellow fruit. There is a red aril (a net) around the seed. Usually, the pulp (the mace) of the fruit is used as food. But the aryl and the seed are sun-dried for two months until the kernel of the seed rattles into the shell. Then that hard shell is removed and the kernel (the actual nutmeg) is used for trade. The spice is sold as a dried whole kernel or as a powder, and this is what we have on the shelves of the grocery stores, most of the times, today. The reason why it is sold also as a whole seed is because once it is ground, it tends to loose some of its fragrance. That is why many chiefs in five-star restaurants, prefer to have the whole dry seed and grind it just before it is used. I personally, use nutmeg powder, but I make sure to keep my spice jar tightly closed. It works for me.
Nutmeg adds a wonderful flavor to hot drinks, cookies and other dishes. I often mix a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom in a cup of boiling water and drink it as a tea.
Nutmeg has potential medicinal properties.
It has been highly valued and for centuries it has been used by the non-traditional medicine community all over the world.
Unfortunately, we do not have many human studies of the spice but there is an abundance of animal and bench research data. Hopefully, more human research is needed in the future.
So, what are some of the areas of potential health benefits of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)?
Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, dementia, heart diseases, liver diseases, erectile dysfunction and many others.
Nutmeg can potentially slow neuroinflammation and with that, decrease the rate of neurodegeneration(Yin et al, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2005).
There is a potential use of Myristica fragrance in dementia, since it can inhibit the acetylcholineesterase – the major enzyme involved in breaking down acetylcholine (Ach) (Cuong et al, Nat Prod Commun, 2014). Ach is the main mediator (a substance used by the neurons to communicate with each other), which is depleted in Alzheimer’s dementia.
It has as a potentially protective effect on the heart, since it can reduce platelet aggregation. Platelets are one of the major participants of clot formation inside the blood vessels, when they are allowed to stick together. Aspirin, which is largely used by traditional medicine as a cardio protector, is also an inhibitor of platelet aggregation. (Kang et al, Phytother Res, 2013).
In mice, it has been shown that Myristica fragrance could be a potent protector of the liver (Morita et al, J Agric Food Chem, 2003).
Erectile dysfunction (problem with male erection): In rats, it has been reported to inhibit an enzyme, relevant to erectile dysfunction (Odubanjo et al, J Food Biochem, 2017).
There are many other reported potential uses such as in diabetes, for pain control, as anti-bacterial, for kidney stones etc.
Essential oils prepared from the nutmeg were used to treat skin inflammation.
Toxicity
Like any potent substance with potential medicinal properties, nutmeg should be used with caution in order not to reach toxic levels.
If used in large quantities (more than what we usually use to season our food) perhaps more than one half teaspoon of ground nutmeg may reach a toxic level. When I prepare my tea I usually use 1, 2 or 3 pinches of the powder. In general, it is good to be aware that one full teaspoon of ground nutmeg is a little more than 2 grams. Taking large amounts, such as 3-5 teaspoons can cause hallucinations, drowsiness, vomiting and low blood pressure. There is a reason why nature has supplied all spices, and particularly the more potent ones, in scarce quantities. Our predecessors had the wisdom to use nutmeg’s natural power in small amounts. It would be wise to use nutmeg to season food in small quantities and be aware that any good substance can become toxic when taken in excess.
Enjoy!
From my heart
Dr Ani
Disclaimer:
Though I am a medical doctor and I share my experience and knowledge with you, please be advised that I am not your medical doctor, so you will need to seek and follow the directions of the medical professionals involved in your case. This article is purely informational and cannot be taken as medical advice.
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