Nutmeg and its medicinal properties can help you with several health issues including pain and stiffness.
There are several other health issues that nutmeg can help with as well, but first we should know what nutmeg is and where it comes from.
What is nutmeg and where does it come from?
Nutmeg is a spice made from the seeds of a tropical evergreen tree native to the Spice Islands of Indonesia and the West Indies.
Uses of nutmeg
The seeds of the tropical evergreen are ground into a powder to be used as a spice for flavoring foods or put into an essential oil. Nutmeg spice is used in baked goods, confections, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and in beverages like eggnog as a flavoring. When used as an essential oil, it is used to treat inflammation and pain.
Mace (another spice derived from the aforementioned evergreen) is made from the fleshy covering of the seeds and can be used for medicinal purposes or as a spice blend for meat dishes, baked goods, fish dishes, vegetables, stews, curries, sauces and pickles. It is also used in preserving and pickling and is commonly used in Indian cuisine.
What are the medicinal benefits nutmeg
There are several medicinal benefits of nutmeg and nutmeg essential oil. The Chinese and other ancient civilizations have long known the benefits of herbal and alternative medicines. They understood that certain herbs and spices could help medical issues.
This does not mean you should stop taking your prescribed medication from your doctor. In fact, you should speak with your doctor first to make sure that nutmeg will not cause reactions with the medications you are on.
What are the benefits of nutmeg?
- Relieves pain as an analgesic
- Helps with insomnia so you can sleep
- Encourages digestion
- Increases brain health
- Liver protection shown in a study done in 2018
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Helps with depression shown in a study done in 2012
- Lowers bad cholesterol
- Improves oral health by stopping bacteria
- Reduces inflammation as shown in study from 2016
- Improves circulation
- Reduces blood pressure
- Boosts the immune system-add a little nutmeg to lemon tea when you have a cold starting and it will help the immune system and symptoms
Nutmeg essential oil can be used on sore, aching muscles and joints to relieve pain and inflammation. Whether it is pain from a strain, injury, arthritis, or autoimmune disease, nutmeg can reduce the level of pain quickly.
By reducing the pain level with nutmeg essential oil, you can reduce the number of opioids you may have to take during the day. Reducing the inflammation helps reduce the pain and improve circulation.
Massage the nutmeg essential oil into the area of the pain and it will reduce the amount of pain and inflammation as well as increase circulation to the area. Nutmeg is not the only herb or spice that can be used in essential oil to reduce pain or for other conditions. Before using any essential oil, test a small drop on the arm to check for an allergic reaction.
Another use for nutmeg is to stir a little in warm water and gargle with it to soothe a sore throat or tooth pain.
You can also use nutmeg as an air freshener by adding a little to your vacuum bag or boil it in water for a potpourri effect.
One thing to note, essential oils lose their strength over time so it is best if you do not buy large quantities.
Using nutmeg in foods
Nutmeg is a flavoring agent for foods.
What kinds of foods can you put nutmeg in? You can add nutmeg to vegetables, fruit, breakfast foods, desserts, and even drinks.
With desserts like cookies, cakes, scones and pies, even after they have been baked, nutmeg can be sprinkled directly on them or on the whipped cream topping in order to add a little more flavor.
Add to pancakes, waffles, porridge, oatmeal, or even cream of wheat to give breakfast a flavor boost.
Drinks such as eggnog, tea, or coffee are twice as good with a little nutmeg in them.
Do not be afraid to experiment with nutmeg. Soup would benefit from nutmeg-especially squash soup.
If you would like recipes that have nutmeg in them, there are several internet sites below:
Civilizations throughout history have used nutmeg and other spices and herbs, not only for flavoring, but for medicinal purposes as well.
Long before pharmaceuticals, the herbalist or apothecary of the village or community would treat the peoples’ illnesses with various herbs and spices. Illnesses ranging from breathing and digestive issues to pain and inflammation were all treated with these all-natural therapies.
Today, pharmaceuticals are used in their place. Sometimes, pharmaceuticals are over-prescribed when all-natural remedies could be used for less severe cases, especially with today’s opioid crisis.
If you want to use alternative or all-natural therapies, speak to your doctor, as he or she may be able to direct you to the herbalists and licensed practitioners who can help you with dosage.
How can nutmeg and its medicinal properties help you? It can reduce inflammation and pain from arthritis, sprains, strains, and other injuries. Meg Relief essential oils can be great benefit. You can combine nutmeg with heat and cold therapy as well as with pharmaceuticals. It can reduce the number of pharmaceuticals you need to take for pain and inflammation with fewer side effects. The next time you have a sore throat or teeth pain, try gargling warm nutmeg water. It may be cheaper than over-the-counter cold medications. It might also save you a trip to the doctor.
