Caring about health is no easy feat, but sometimes it is pleasant because we can use delicious ingredients for a treat. Nutmeg is one of them. Health benefits of nutmeg are endless and versatile. Before we delve into its values we should get acquainted with its origin first. Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Malaysia are lands of different nutritious plants and are homes to Myristica fragrans – a prolific tree that fills its branches with delicious nutmegs. You can find this nut in the grocery store, or the market in whole-seed form, or just like a ground spice. Having a nutty flavor, the nutmeg can be used in desserts, spicy food, or even drinks.Even though people mostly use it for different kinds of dishes, this nut has a bunch of beneficial compounds that improve your immune system, eliminate insomnia, and more. In this article, you will learn about the usage, benefits, and side effects of nutmeg.
Can We Take Nutmeg Daily?
Despite being full of natural minerals and vitamins that may improve your health and make your food taste better, we must be cautious about the amount of nutmeg intake. That said, we are not going to start with the benefits of nutmeg but its side effects, since a lot of people wonder whether they can take nutmeg daily.
The answer here depends on one essential factor – the dosage. Nutmeg is not harmful when you take it in small quantities but you might face adverse effects once you digest high doses of it.
It contains the compounds myristicin and safrole. When ingested in large amounts, they can cause symptoms like hallucinations and loss of muscle coordination.
The point is that myristicin is a nutmeg component that has psychoactive properties which leads to terrible side effects. Nutmeg abuse can lead to nausea, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, hallucinations, and vomiting. When you combine it with other drugs it can even end in death.
In fact, there are cases of nutmeg toxicity. However, most of these cases were related to deliberate nutmeg ingestion for its psychoactive effects.
The appropriate dose depends on a person’s age, sex, and health condition. However, there are general rules that will be helpful for every nutmeg lover.
Precautions For Nutmeg Intake
- It is not advisable to eat it daily because it can lead to poisoning and other dangerous side effects.
- However, long-term use of nutmeg in doses of 120 mg or more daily can lead to hallucinations and other mental side effects.
- It is dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take nutmeg in doses that are larger than amounts found in food.
Read More: Benefits Of Hydrogen Water: Should You Believe The Hype?
What Does Nutmeg Do For A Woman?
This warm, spicy nut that is used in desserts and beverages has a lot of nutritious and “sexy” qualities. Nutmeg has been considered to be an aphrodisiac for ages. Therefore, many women use it to improve their sexual life, and far more. The nutmeg benefits for ladies have made this component an inevitable part of their lives. So, what makes this nut so popular among women? If you desire to find more, keep reading:
- The combination of milk and a pinch of nutmeg is a perfect recipe for active sex life. This spice calms down the nerves and improves blood circulation in the reproductive female organs. Hence, it is considered to be women’s viagra.
- Moreover, a pinch of nutmeg daily improves the hormonal imbalance in the body. It happens due to an imbalance of estrogen hormones in the female body (4). These hormones are responsible for the reproductive health of a woman. So, taking a pinch of nutmeg will not only increase the woman’s libido but also balance her hormones.
- Different factors stress women out: home responsibilities, work environment, or even a terrible date. That is why consuming a nutmeg pinch with milk can work for you as an antidepressant and a great mood lifter. This spice releases serotonin – a hormone that can improve your brain work and sleep.
- Serotonin and estrogen themselves improve reproductive health in women. They also invigorate slackening libido which is caused by health and mental issues like menopause, menstrual cycles, anxiety, and depression (4).
Does Nutmeg Make You Sleep?
Insomnia is a common thing among people and it can occur due to various reasons. If you don’t have healthy sleep it can provoke a lot of body and intellectual issues. That is why for ages human beings have been searching for plant-based components that would improve their sleep. Nutmeg is one of them and it will definitely make you sleep.
This delicious spice aids stress relief and insomnia treatment since it contains myristicin and elemicin. These essential compounds in nutmeg relax the human brain and can also act as a mild sedative (1).
Myristicin and elemicin are essential components that treat insomnia and lift your mood.
That said, if you have sleeping disorders, mix a glass of milk with a pinch of nutmeg before turning in and enjoy a long and quality dream.
Is Nutmeg Good For Erectile Dysfunction?
Previously we discussed the nutmeg benefits for women. However, nutmeg is a spice that can jazz everybody up. The nutmeg benefits for men help them to enhance sex drive and improve sex performance:
- Adequate doses of nutmeg can increase significant changes in sexual performance as it indices libido and potency.
- Premature ejaculation affects sexual life and relationships in general. Men who ejaculate prematurely get great benefits from nutmeg’s tranquilizing effects. The spice allows them last longer in bed giving the illusion of improved stamina (2). Nutmeg components numb the males’ sensitivity and delay ejaculation. Another good benefit of nutmeg for males is that it prolongs sexual activity and heightens the sensations.
Sexual problems can be treated but it is not healthy to rely only on this magical spice from the nutmeg. Moreover, the abundance of nutmeg might lead to negative consequences. So, it is advisable to take it with consideration.
BetterMe app is a foolproof way to go from zero to a weight loss hero in a safe and sustainable way! What are you waiting for? Start transforming your body now!
What Is Nutmeg Essential Oil Good For?
Essential oils are widely used by people in the cosmetics and food industry. They are packed with nutritious and healthy properties that improve the immune system and emotional feelings. Nutmeg oil is not an exception because it is full of relaxing, antiseptic, sedative, and stimulant properties.
Here are the main nutmeg essentials benefits:
- Regulate blood pressure. The combination of manganese, calcium, minerals, and potassium in nutmeg oil increases blood circulation. Hence, it is healthy to add small doses of nutmeg to the diet (3).
- No menstrual cramps. If you suffer from menstrual discomfort nutmeg’s properties can ease your pain and control hormonal disbalance.
- Eliminates respiratory problems. Nutmeg essential oil is helpful in treating respiratory issues, like asthma or allergies. This oil is also added as a healthy component for cough syrups and cold rubs.
- Deals with poor digestion. Nutmeg oil is a top component against digestive issues. It is loaded with phytonutrients that aid organs in the gastrointestinal tract to work better. This nutmeg component also helps you treat diarrhea, stomach ache, constipation, or nausea.
- Forget about bad breath. Bad breath problems are common among a lot of people. It can cause a terrible first impression about a person. Also, a bad odor from the mouth can indicate health issues. Thanks to antibacterial properties, nutmeg oil will eliminate bacteria and unpleasant breath. Moreover, its antiseptic nature makes this spice effective for toothaches and pain in the gums.
Read More: Echinacea Benefits For Skin And Overall Health
How Can You Use Nutmeg?
You can find this spice in almost every grocery store. However, if you want to purchase the whole nut you might need to go to the special market.
This spice can be used on its own but many people mix it with cinnamon, cloves, or cardamom. This component is versatile since it can be added to both sweet and meat-based dishes.
Check out the list of ways you can add nutmeg to your diet:
- Sprinkle nutmeg onto starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, or pumpkin and create a deep, tasty, and interesting flavor (2).
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to coffee, tea, or milk.
- If you’re an oatmeal lover you can sprinkle some ground nutmeg on your cereal.
- Cold beverages are ideal for hot weather. You can add nutmeg to smoothies, cocktails, or cold teas.
- Pumpkin squashes are very delicious with nutmeg spice.
- If you enjoy cooking then opt for Southern Asia cuisine. Nutmeg spice is a leading component of their dishes.
- Bring a special flavor by adding nutmeg to eggnog, mulled wine, or mulled cider.
Intense sweat sessions, working weight loss tips, lip-smacking recipes come in one package with the BetterMe app. And all of it is at your fingertips, start transforming your life now!
Conclusion
Nutmeg is a healthy spice for your cuisine. Due to its sweet taste and mesmerizing flavor, it is added to various dishes. Nutmeg spice is packed with necessary vitamins that improve your blood pressure, sleeping routine, sexual life, and healthy digestion.
However, it is recommended not to abuse this component because large doses provoke hallucinations, sleeping disorders, nausea, and other serious side effects.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- 11 Benefits Of Nutmeg, Side Effects, And Nutritional Profile (2022, stylecraze.com)
- Nutmeg benefits for men (2018, tuko.co.ke)
- Nutmeg: Nutrition, Benefits, Uses, & Dosage (2021, organicfacts.net)
- Why Women Must Have A Pinch Of Nutmeg Daily (2020, indiatimes.com)