I love the fall, the leaves, the cool air, and especially all of the fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices not only add a delicious flavor to special dishes like apple and pumpkin pie, eggnog and more, but they also have potent therapeutic qualities. Today I want to talk about the medicinal value of nutmeg and why you should eat more of it.

What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is a seed that grows on the evergreen tree known as Myristica fragrans. It is native to islands near Indonesia. This spice is delicate and just slightly sweet. As mentioned earlier, it is valued for its culinary prowess but has become a popular go-to in alternative and herbal medicine.

Nutmeg is loaded with vitamins and minerals including, manganese, thiamin, folate, magnesium, copper, macelignan, vitamin B6 and dietary fiber.

Insomnia Buster

I don’t know about you but I struggle with getting a good night’s sleep sometimes. Nutmeg can help provide relief from chronic insomnia or sleeplessness. An animal study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science found that inhaling nutmeg essential oil reduced nighttime body movement. In fact, when comparing the aromatherapeutic potency of nutmeg to lavender oil — often used to induce sleep — nutmeg was even more potent.

I add a pinch of nutmeg to warm milk or a nondairy alternative. Nutmeg is a good source of magnesium, an essential mineral in the body that reduces nervous tension. It even stimulates the release of serotonin, which creates a feeling of relaxation or sedation.

Pain Reliever

Nutmeg contains a component that is similar to menthol and this makes it an effective pain reliever. When you add nutmeg to your cooking it can reduce pain caused by injuries, strains, wounds, and arthritis.

I add nutmeg as a spice to baked goods and savory dishes, you can help reduce chronic inflammation.  If you suffer from painful joints, muscle pain, and arthritis, ease pain naturally by rubbing nutmeg oil over affected areas.

Brain Health

Who wouldn’t want a healthier brain? Nutmeg contains myristicin and macelignan. Both of these compounds have been proven to reduce degradation and neural pathways as well as cognitive function. Studies have demonstrated that myristicin and macelignan help to keep the brain functioning at an optimal level. Research has also food that nutmeg can enhance your mood and fight off depression.

Oral Health

In old eastern medical applications, nutmeg was considered the king of spices when it came to oral health. Powerful antibacterial components help fight conditions such as halitosis. While it kills bacteria it also improves the immunity of gums and teeth.

Commercial toothpaste contains a cocktail of nasty chemicals. Fluoride, for instance, is linked to weakened bones, thyroid suppression, lowered metabolic and more. Try nutmeg instead. Due to its anti-bacterial compounds, it works to treat bad breath as well as halitosis naturally.

Detoxification

Nutmeg helps to eliminate toxins that are stored in the liver and kidney. It cleanses toxins from such things as alcohol, drugs, pollution and bad food. In addition, nutmeg helps to dissolve kidney stones and improve overall function and efficiency of kidneys and liver.

Digestive Aid

Nutmeg retains its fiber content when it is ground into a powder. In this form, it simulates the digestive process by encouraging the peristaltic motion in the smooth muscle of the intestine. In addition, it also encourages the secretion of intestinal juices that make digestion easier.

Grate a small amount of nutmeg into your soups and stews to boost flavor and improve gut health. Grinding nutmeg into powder retains the fiber content. Fiber also stimulates the digestive process by contracting smooth muscles of the intestine.

Libido Booster

Who would have thought that a little spice can actually spice up things in the bedroom? Research has uncovered that small doses of nutmeg can actual increase libido and sexual performance in men.

-Susan Patterson