Mace spice is dry, outer aril that firmly enveloping around the nutmeg kernel. Nutmeg and mace indeed are two separate spice products of same nutmeg fruit. However, mace characteristically has higher concentration of certain essential oils and features refined yet intense aroma than nutmeg. For the same reasons, it commands special place in the kitchen spice box!

Mace as well as the nutmeg seeds were thought to have originated in the tropical rain forest of Indonesian Maluku Islands, also known as the spice Islands. Binomially, nutmeg is an evergreen belonging to Myristicaceae family, and known scientifically as Myristica fragrans. There are several species of nutmeg grown all over the world other than Myristica species, such as M. argentea, M. malabarica (Indian), and M. fatua. They are rather similar to M. fragrans in appearence, however, have inferior flavour and aroma.
 Botanically, the nutmeg fruit, in fact, is a drupe like apricot. Once completely ripen, it splits through its bottom (basal) end to reveal a single, centrally situated oval shaped hard seed (kernel) known commercial as “nutmeg.” Closely adhering to this nutmeg kernel is crimson-red, lacy or thread like arils known as mace spice. This mace aril is then carefully peeled off the kernel surface by either hand or using a knife, and allowed to dry under shade for 3-4 days. Dried mace arils, which now appear amber in colour are processed and graded before dispatched for sale.
 Processing of mace spice

M. fragrance tree yields up to three times in a season. Once harvested from the tree, its outer pulp or husk is removed and discarded. Just underneath the tough husk is the golden-brown colour aril, known as "mace," enveloping firmly around the nutmeg kernel. Mace is gently peeled off from the kernel surface, flattened into strips, dried, and sold either as whole "mace blades" or finely ground into powder. The nutmeg kernels are then dried under sun for several days to weeks. At larger commercial set-ups, this process is done rather more rapidly over a hot drier machine until the whole nutmeg rattles inside the shell.

Health benefits

Essentially employed as an aromatic agent, mace spice greatly enhances colour, taste and flavour of foods. Nonetheless, it contains some of the anti-oxidant compounds essential oils, minerals, and vitamins.

Mace features quite different nutritional profile than nutmeg has. It is less in calories, however, has more concentrations of essential oils, vitamin A, vitamin C, carotenes, iron, calcium,

The spice contains fixed oil trimyristine, and many essential volatile oils, which gives a sweet aromatic flavour such as myristicin, elemicin, eugenol and safrole. These oils occur in higher concentration in mace than in nutmeg. The other less important volatile-oils are pinene, camphene, dipentene, cineole, linalool, sabinene, safrole, terpeniol.

The active principles in ace spice have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as anti-fungal, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, digestive, and carminative functions.

Mace has more vitamin-C content than nutmeg. 100 g mace spice has 21 mg against just 3 mg of nutmegs. Likewise, mace blades contain more riboflavin (vitamin B-2).

Mace arils are rather excellent sources of vitamin-A. 100 g of mace provides 800 IU vitamin A, nearly nine times more compared to that in nutmeg.

Mace arils contain more calcium, copper, iron and magnesium than nutmeg. 100 g of mace powder has 13.90 mg of iron when compared to just 3.04 mg of nutmeg. Manganese and copper are utilized by the human body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidases enzymes.

Digestive Health: Mace has always been utilized to deal with digestive problems like nausea, diarrhoea, stomach spasms and gas. A typical mixture recognized to relieve indigestion, gas as well as nausea is really a tea made from slippery elm bark, mace as well as nutmeg that are coupled with cream as well as boiled, after that drank whenever lukewarm. A well known cure for diarrhoea, in accordance with Chinese and Indian medication, is usually to put 3 drops of the essential oil of mace/nutmeg on the sugar cube as well as swallow it as soon as the oil has seeped in. If the capsule is favoured, one 200mg capsule could be taken two times each day till the diarrhoea subsides.

Encourages Appetite: If you think you don’t eat enough throughout the day or even are extremely thin, you need to include some mace spice in your diet. You’ll be surprised about the way it can transform your eating routine for the better. Mace spice can help you eat well, therefore keeping you healthy and powerful.

 Treatment and Prevention of Cancer: A survey published in the April 2012 issue of the “Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine” demonstrated the essential oil of mace/nutmeg might help treat, and perhaps avoid, cancer simply by suppressing the development of blood vessels which feed cancerous tumours. A survey published within the April 2012 issue of the “Journal of Food Science” demonstrated the compound myristicin to hinder the development of colon cancer cells.

Alleviates Anxiety and Depression: Mace also provides moderate anti-anxiety as well as sedative qualities. In a report published in the Spring 2006 issue of the “Journal of Medicinal Food”, mace was proven to exert considerable anti-depressant effects. Researchers made the final outcome that these affects arise through the activation of the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as serotonin.

Boosts Blood Circulation: Another health advantage of mace spice is its capability to enhance the circulation of blood. This can keep the skin and hair healthy, and in addition shield you from hazardous illnesses and infections. Increased blood flow also helps prevent diabetes along with other life-threatening problems.

Pain Relief: Mace has been utilized for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine like a topical pain reliving massage oil. A few drops of the essential oil combined an ounce of the carrier oil, like olive or grapeseed, then massaged on the affected area, can offer rest from numerous health conditions: muscle pain, arthritis, aching joints, bruises and sores.

Stress Buster: This may be shocking to many of you, yet mace spice additionally provides a stress buster! It efficiently removes tension as well as anxiousness, helping you feel calm as well as peaceful. Mace spice reduces mental tiredness too. Not only that, this particular spice may help you be more conscious of work and in addition raises your memory.

Nervous System : In some traditional medications (Chinese and Indian), mace has been utilized to deal with nervous system illnesses. It is stated to have a calming effect on the brain, whilst supplying some kind of stimulation. It does this since it consists of myristicin as well as elemicin.

Dental Health: Mace spice makes certain excellent dental health too. With this particular, you are able to eliminate foul breath successfully and safeguard the teeth from all of dental issues. The spice is really a natural treatment for tooth pains as well as aching gums and is also utilized in a number of toothpastes as well.

Massage and Joint Relief : Mace just as one oil is oftentimes utilized as a massage oil. It really is considered to reduce several pains in muscles and maybe even rheumatic soreness in joints. At least, its aromatic qualities can give the next back rub a fascinating twist!

Rich Source of Nutrients and Vitamins : Mace is an excellent source of manganese, copper, zinc, iron, potassium, essential oils, magnesium, and lots of vitamins. Utilizing a delicious sprinkling of mace within your cooking will provide you with the great deal of benefits that these vitamins and minerals provide, not restricted to anti-inflammatory relief as well as anti-tumour properties (Nature Word).

Mace can assist in red blood cell formation: Copper and Iron are necessary for the new blood cell formation. An insufficiency in iron may result in anaemia, fatigue, and muscular weakness.

Mace can treat insomnia:  Mace is known for a high content of magnesium that decreases nerve tension, and also energizes the release of serotonin making a sense of relaxation or even sedation.

Protects Kidneys: An additional health advantage of mace spice is its capability to safeguard your kidneys. It prevents kidney stones from developing within your body. And if you’ve kidney stones, it dissolves them successfully. It is really an exceptional natural cure for dealing with kidney infections along with other problems related to kidneys.

Mace can improve brain health: Mace consists of important oils just like myristicin and macelignan which have been shown to decrease the degradation of neural pathways as well as cognitive function which generally affects people with possibly dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Cold And Cough:  Mace spice may also handle cold and cough! It safeguards you against flu and viral disorders and keeps the body protected and safe from diseases. Additionally it is utilized to prepare cough syrups and cold rubs. Mace Spice is yet another great cure for asthma sufferers.