Sweet And Delicious Nutmeg – A Benefit For Your Body And Emotions

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. The possible 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 are said to 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 compounds 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 possible 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 to flavor your food 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 may lead 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.

Precautions For Nutmeg Intake

• It is not advisable to take high doses daily because it can lead to poisoning and other dangerous side effects.
• Doses as little as 10 grams (2 teaspoons) have been seen to cause toxicity symptoms. Higher doses of 50 grams or more can cause more severe symptoms.
• It is dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take nutmeg in doses that are larger than amounts typically found in food.
• Stick to the instructions in your recipe. Most recipes call for ¼ to ½ teaspoon for an amount that serves multiple people, which is perfectly safe.

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What Does Nutmeg Do For A Woman?

This warm, spicy nut that is used in desserts and beverages is thought to have a lot of nutritious and possibly even sexual benefits. Nutmeg has been considered to be an aphrodisiac for ages. Therefore, many women have traditionally used it to improve their sexual life, and far more. 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 said to be a perfect recipe for an active sex life. According to Ayurvedic medicine this spice is believed to calm down the nerves and improve blood circulation in the reproductive female organs (4). There isn’t any scientific evidence to support this, it’s more of a traditional practice.

Does Nutmeg Make You Sleep?

Insomnia is a common thing among people and it can occur due to various reasons. If you don’t get enough quality sleep it can impact your health and wellbeing. That is why for ages human beings have been searching for plant-based components that would improve their sleep. Nutmeg may be one of them. 

The compounds myristicin and elemicin in nutmeg, which have hallucinogenic effects at high doses, may have a relaxing effect on the brain in smaller amounts(1).

Two animal studies have also observed potential antidepressant-like activity of nutmeg extract in rats and mice.  

If you have trouble sleeping, you can try mixing a glass of milk with a pinch of nutmeg before turning in. Persistent sleep disorders should always be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Is Nutmeg Good For Erectile Dysfunction?

Previously we discussed the nutmeg benefits for women. However, nutmeg is a spice that can jazz everybody up. Nutmeg has also been used traditionally in men to enhance sex drive and to treat sexual disorders. There isn’t much scientific evidence that nutmeg has any effect on sexual performance in humans, however two studies in male rats and mice found that animals who received high doses of nutmeg extract experienced increased sexual activity compared to controls.  

Sexual problems can be treated but it is not healthy to rely only on traditional remedies such as nutmeg. Moreover, the abundance of nutmeg might lead to negative consequences. So, it is advisable to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing sexual dysfunction.

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What Is Nutmeg Essential Oil Good For?

Essential oils are widely used by people in the cosmetics and food industry, and nutmeg is no exception. 

Here are the main potential nutmeg essential oil benefits:

• Nutrition. Nutmeg contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, thiamin, folate, manganese, magnesium, and copper (3).
• May help relieve pain and inflammation. Nutmeg may have anti-inflammatory properties, and nutmeg oil was found in one study to help relieve chronic inflammatory pain in rats.
• May help with poor digestion. Nutmeg oil is a top component which has been used traditionally against digestive issues like indigestion and stomach ulcers
• Forget about bad breath. Nutmeg may have antibacterial properties that are effective against oral pathogenic bacteria, which can be responsible for bad breath and other oral health problems. Nutmeg oil is also sometimes used topically to dull pain from a toothache. 

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 Asian cuisine. Nutmeg spice is a leading component of their dishes.
• Bring a special flavor by adding nutmeg to eggnog, mulled wine, or mulled cider.

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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 contains natural compounds that may help improve your 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. Stick to a pinch, or whatever your recipe calls for.