Health Benefits of Nutmeg

Nutmeg is warm and spicy...a great spice to add to food.

Once upon a time, nutmeg could launch wars, as in did when the Europeans vied for dominance in the spice trade. The competitors (Venice, Genoa, the Netherlands, Portugal and England) fought ferociously and in the process, the natives of Banda Islands in the Indonesian archipelego (where nutmeg abounds) were nearly wiped out. It was also the poor man’s dream–selling  a few nutmeg nuts can generate enough money to offer financial stability for life.

That was a few hundred years ago. Though nutmeg has lost much of its “nobility,” it’s still  highly regarded in the medicinal world. Its medicinal value has health implications. Let’s consider some proven health benefits:

Zap Zits
Harsh acne application can dry your skin and it may not necessarily banish those unsightly bumps. Try nutmeg–it has anti-inflammatory effects. Simply mix a few pinches of nutmeg with enough whole milk to form a paste. Apply to troubled spots, leave for a couple of minutes and rinse off.

Eases Stomach Problems
Indigestion, diarrhea or intestinal gas? Try nutmeg.  According to Andrew Gaeddert, author of Healing Digestive Disorders, essential oils and other chemicals found in nutmeg can regulate gastrointestinal tract. Simply sprinkle some nutmeg powder on your morning cereal for a couple of weeks.

Aphrodisiac
Since ancient times, nutmeg has been used to increase sexual desire. In Arab countries, nutmeg is used as an aphrodisiac. In China, they use it to treat impotence. Sex therapist Lori Buckley suggests adding a dash of nutmeg to your meal–it tastes great on lasagna or add it to sauteed vegetables.

Dental Health
Nutmeg oil can treat anything from toothaches, to sore gums to bad breath. Research shows that nutmeg oil exert anti-bacterial properties that is useful in fighting oral bacteria. Sara Snow, author of Sara Snow’s Fresh Living, offers this easy home remedy: Massage a drop or two of nutmeg oil onto your gums if they’re painful or inflamed.

Nutmeg’s health benefits are not limited to the above,. Consider its diverse benefits: it can promote sleep, reduce flatulence, improves memory, relax muscles (often used to relieve  rheumatic pain.) and in homeopathy, the essential oil of nutmeg is used to treat anxiety and depression.
So, include nutmeg in your food–sprinkle it on your cereal, add a dash to your tea or coffee, include it in your baking and cooking and reap great health benefits. Only go easy on it–no more than 1/2 teaspoon. Too much can cause nausea.