Known as a popular spice in the world, nutmeg is also popular for its many health benefits. In fact, since ancient times, nutmeg has been used as a remedy for various ailments or to improve health in general. Here are some of the health benefits that nutmeg provides.
1. 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.
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 toothpaste. Nutmeg can also be used to treat gum problems and toothaches.
Nutmeg is very beneficial for keeping your brain sharp and boosting your brain health. In fact, ancient Roman and Greek civilizations used nutmeg as a type of brain tonic.
The compound called myristicin in nutmeg aids in improving memory by stimulating the nerves in the brain. It also improves concentration and the ability to focus.
Nutmeg has many essential volatile oils that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as myristicin, elemicin, and eugenol. This makes it useful for treating joint and muscle pain.
In a 2016 study published in Food and Nutrition Research, researchers injected rats with nutmeg oil to test its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on chronic pain. The findings showed that nutmeg oil can alleviate joint swelling and pain associated with chronic inflammation.
- To get relief from painful joints and muscles, mix a little nutmeg oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil on the affected areas a few times a day.
Also, adding a little nutmeg in your cooking can help reduce inflammation and related pain.
You can also use nutmeg to treat acne, one of the most common skin problems. Its antioxidant nature helps fight free-radical damage, which is important for maintaining acne-free skin.
It can also help reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin due to acne breakouts. Plus, it can help make acne scars less noticeable.
- Prepare a paste with equal amounts of raw honey and powdered nutmeg. Apply it on the affected area, leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water. Do this once daily for a few days.
- Alternatively, mix ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg powder with enough raw milk to make a runny paste. Apply it on the acne-affected area, allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Do it once daily.
Just a little nutmeg, ground and mixed with water or honey into a paste, can make skin look clearer and brighter within a few days, reducing scars and alleviating acne. You can also add nutmeg to your face scrub for the same benefits.
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.
8. Fights Insomnia
If you have difficulty sleeping at night, nutmeg can help you enjoy sound sleep. Its sedative and calming properties work as a natural sleep aid.
Plus, this spice is rich in magnesium, which helps reduce nerve tension. Magnesium also stimulates the release of serotonin, hence creating a feeling of relaxation or sedation.
- Drink a cup of warm milk mixed with a pinch of nutmeg powder daily before going to bed.
- Alternatively, you can mix 2 drops of nutmeg essential oil in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and massage on your forehead before going to bed.
It is almost impossible to overuse nutmeg because all you need is a tiny dusting of it to reap its taste and nutrition benefits.
Even so, I must state that overuse of nutmeg is known to cause palpitations, sweating, hallucination and other discomforts, so do use this wonder spice in moderation.
