Fragrant rich nutmeg is one of the highly prized spices known since antiquity for its aromatic, aphrodisiac, and curative properties. Nutmegs are evergreen trees, native to the rain forest Indonesian Moluccas Island, also known as the Spice Islands.
Botanically, the plant belongs to Myristicaceae family and known as Myristica fragrans. Several species grown all over the world other than Myristica species, such as M. argentea, M. malabarica (Indian), and M. fatua, are rather similar to M. fragrans in appearance; however, they have less intense flavour and aroma.
The spice tree is a large evergreen plant that thrives well under tropical climates. A fully-grown tree reaches about 50-60 feet in height and is the source of nutmeg and mace, two valuable spices. The nutmeg fruit, in fact, is a drupe, about the size of an apricot, which when ripen splits up to reveal single centrally situated oval shaped hard kernel known as "nutmeg spice". The seed is closely enveloped by crimson-red coloured lacy or thread like arils known as "mace". Both spices have similar warm, sweet aromatic flavour.

Processing

Nutmeg tree yields up to three times in a season. Once harvested from the tree, the outer coat or husk is removed. The aril, also known as "mace", is gently peeled off from the outer surface of the kernel, flattened into strips, dried, and sold either as whole strips or finely ground. The whole kernels are then sun-dried for several days to weeks, or sometimes, more rapidly over a hot drier machine until the whole nutmeg rattle inside the shell.

The shell is then broken and shriveled nutmeg kernel is taken out. Finally, nuts are dipped in limewater in order to prevent insect infestation and seed germination.

Health benefits

Nutmeg spice as well as mace contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

The spicy nut contains fixed oil trimyristin and many essential volatile oils such as which gives sweet aromatic flavour to nutmeg like myristicin, elemicin, eugenol and safrole. The other volatile oils are pinene, camphene, dipentene, cineole, linalool, sabinene, safrole, terpeniol.

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

This prized spice is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the 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.

It is also rich in many vital B-complex vitamins including vitamin C, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A and many flavonoid anti-oxidants like beta-carotene and cryptoxanthins that are essential for optimum health.

 Medicinal uses

Since ancient times nutmeg and its oil were being used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicines for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems. The compounds in this spice such as myristicin and elemicin have been found to have stimulant properties on brain.

Nutmeg oil contains eugenol, which has been used in dentistry for toothache relief.

The oil is also used as a local massage to reduce muscular pain and rheumatic pain of joints.

Freshly prepared decoction with honey mix has been used to relief of nausea, gastritis, and indigestion ailments.

Pain Relief: One of the components of nutmeg is a compound similar to menthol, which has natural pain-relieving characteristics. Therefore, by adding nutmeg as a spice in your cooking, you can reduce associated pain from wounds, injuries, strains, and chronic inflammation from conditions like arthritis.

Digestive Health: When you grind nutmeg into a powder, it retains its fibre content, which can stimulate the digestive process by promoting peristaltic motion in the smooth muscles of the intestine. Also, it induces the secretion of various gastric and intestinal juices that ease the digestive process. Since fibre can bulk up the bowel movements, it reduces the frequency and discomfort of constipation and other intestinal issues.

Brain Health: One of the lesser known benefits of adding nutmeg in any variety to your diet are the various components of its essential oil, called myristicin and macelignan. These compounds have been proven to reduce the degradation of neural pathways and cognitive function that commonly afflicts people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown myristicin and macelignan slow those effects, and keep your brain functioning at a normal, healthy level.

Detoxify the Body: Nutmeg acts as a tonic in many different ways, and therefore boosts the overall health of your body. More specifically, in terms of the liver and kidney where many of the toxins are stored and accumulated from the body, nutmeg can help eliminate them. It literally cleans those organs out of all the toxins that may be stored there from alcohol, drugs, pollution, food, or natural organic toxins. Furthermore, active ingredients in nutmeg help to dissolve kidney stones, and increase overall function and efficiency of the kidney and liver.

Oral Health: In traditional medical applications, nutmeg was considered the king of spices when it came to oral health. The active antibacterial components of nutmeg means that it helps to fight conditions like halitosis, also known as bad breath. It kills the bacteria that causes this embarrassing condition, and generally boosts the immunity of your gums and teeth. This is why nutmeg and its extracts are commonly found in toothpastes and mouthwashes, particularly in organic or herbal varieties.

Insomnia: For generations, nutmeg has been recommended as a home remedy for sleeplessness and insomnia. A pinch of nutmeg in warm milk always seemed to do the trick. Nutmeg has a high content of magnesium, an essential mineral in the body that reduces nerve tension, and even stimulates the release of serotonin which creates a feeling of relaxation or sedation. This serotonin is changed to melatonin in the brain, which is a sleep inducer, relieving people of their problems with insomnia and restlessness at night. Nutmeg also has trace elements of narcotics, which have no dramatic effect unless taken in massive quantities. However, even the small amount can help you release various neurotransmitters than induce relaxation and sleep.

Leukaemia: Another of the lesser known qualities of nutmeg is its potential use against cancerous cells. Studies have shown that a certain metabolic compound in nutmeg and its essential oil can actually induce cell death (apoptosis) in leukaemia cells, thereby stopping the spread and metastasis of this terrible variety of cancer that commonly afflicts children.

Skin Health: Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, herbal and traditional medicines have long used nutmeg to boost the appearance and health of your skin. Most commonly, it is applied as paste mixed with water, or even honey, which is also great for skin care. It can help to reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin, promote hydration and a smooth appearance, as well as reduce the signs and marks from pox, boils, and acne.

Blood Pressure and Circulation: The mineral content of nutmeg means that it is valuable in terms of maintaining organ function. Potassium is a vasodilator, which relaxes blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure and lowering the strain on the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, it facilitates the uptake of nutrients from food, making digestion and efficient and speedy process. The calcium found in nutmeg can boost the health of your bones by contributing to repair and growth, while relieving symptoms of osteoporosis. Finally, the iron content can boost your red blood cell count and reduce your chances of developing symptoms of iron deficiency, also known as anaemia.

A Few Words of Warning: Nutmeg has come under considerable suspicion since the cases of accidental poisoning have increased in recent years. Once it was revealed that excessively consuming nutmeg can have psychotropic, hallucinatory, or narcotic effects on people, many people tried to duplicate those effects recreationally. Unfortunately, consuming a huge amount of nutmeg can seriously complicate your bodily processes, as it is a potent spice meant to be used in small quantities. Consuming too much nutmeg can result in seizures, irregular heart palpitations, and vomiting.