Nutmeg It is known as a popular spice that has a peculiar pleasant smell, an acrid flavor and is widely used in cooking. However, these are far from all the properties that make a nut famous - it has found application in medicine (traditional and folk), cosmetology and perfumery. In this material, we offer you a closer look at nutmeg and the peculiarities of its use. However, to begin with, we’ll give a couple of facts about how a nut grows and what, in fact, produces a well-known spice.
Nutmeg - It is the fruit of the evergreen Muscat tree, which grows in tropical countries with a humid climate. The fruits themselves, in appearance resembling apricots or peaches, do not represent nutritional value. However, their fragrant seed is very beneficial. It is dried and crushed - and so it turns out spice. The cultivator also has a culinary value, but the spices come out of it more expensive.
Did you know? Indonesia is considered the birthplace of nutmeg. For the first time, the walnut was taken out of the country by the Portuguese. Since then, its cultivation has spread in Europe. It became especially popular in Grenada. There nutmeg is even depicted on the national flag as a symbol of the fact that a walnut tree is the basis of this country's economy..
Spice "nutmeg" is a powder of dark brown color with a rich spicy taste and aroma.
The chemical composition of nutmeg
The nutmeg seed contains a complex of B vitamins (B1, B2, B4, B6), vitamins A, C, PP, folic acid and β-carotene. It contains macronutrients (Mg, K, P, Ca, Na) and microelements (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium) in large quantities. The chemical composition of the nut is supplemented with essential oils (in particular, eugenol, terpeniol, elemicin, linaool, myristicin, etc.), as well as saponins, pigments and other elements.
Nutmeg is high in calories: 525 Kcal per 100 g Its nutritional value per 100 g is: proteins - 5.84 g, fat - 36.31 g, carbohydrates - 28.49 g, mono- and disaccharides - 28.49 g, fiber - 20.8 g, water - 6.23
Useful properties of nutmeg
Due to the rich chemical composition of nutmeg is a valuable food product with a number of medicinal properties:
- antibacterial;
- immunomodulatory;
- anti-inflammatory;
- astringent;
- sedatives;
- antioxidant;
- tonic
Nutmeg: how to use the product in pharmacology
Nutmeg in pharmacology has found application in the form of a decoction, tincture, ointment, compress, mixture, providing useful properties. The nut can manifest its analgesic effect in alleviating abdominal pain, as well as in joints and muscles. As a prophylactic, it is advised to prevent cancer. This spice is used to improve memory, stimulate brain activity, get rid of chronic fatigue, depression and insomnia. She has worked well to solve problems with the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, to raise the appetite. The astringent properties of nutmeg are able to cure diarrhea.
Nutmeg nut is also an aphrodisiac, it can increase the potency in men and has a beneficial effect on women's health, in particular, normalization of the menstrual cycle and improvement of condition during menopause. Nutmeg is included in the composition of toothpastes, because due to its antibacterial properties, it easily copes with bad breath and helps with some gum diseases. When applied topically, "nutmeg" has a burning and warming effect, so it is added to the healing massage mixtures and hair masks.
The use of nutmeg in traditional medicine, the best recipes
For a long time, the fruit of the nutmeg was used for therapeutic purposes. Recipes healing ointments, decoctions and tinctures of nutmeg passed from generation to generation. We will tell you about the best of them.
Cold. Viral infectious and catarrhal diseases are treated with a decoction: in 100 ml of boiled water, cooled to 50 ºС, add 1 teaspoon of honey and teaspoon of nutmeg. Insist in a warm place for 10-15 minutes. Take in the form of heat.
Prevention of influenza and SARS. Is it possible to use ground nutmeg and how to take it correctly to strengthen the body's defenses, it is better to ask the therapist. There are general recommendations for the use of powder - 0.5-1.5 g per day. You can drink in dry form or add to food. You can prepare the infusion: 0.5 g of powder pour a glass of boiling water, insist an hour, take three to four times during the day.
Headache. To get rid of pain in the head, you can try using compresses of 1 tsp of ground nuts and 3 glasses of milk. Apply to the frontal area.
Memory improvement. A two-week infusion of Cahors and a mixture of 1 tablespoon of nutmeg, seeds of cumin and anise will help improve memory.
Important! Since nutmeg can be beneficial and at the same time has a number of contraindications for use, you should consult a doctor before using it for therapeutic purposes.
Gastrointestinal problems. 30 minutes before meals, take a mixture of 100 ml of yogurt or yogurt, 100 ml of boiled water, 1/3 teaspoon of nutmeg powder, ½ teaspoon of crushed ginger.
Impotence. To increase the potency of nutmeg tincture on vodka. For its preparation, 100 g of powder is poured with 0.5 l of vodka, infused for two weeks, take one tablespoon per night for a month. You can simply add a small amount of spice to your daily ration. Also, to increase sexual activity in men, three times 25 ml each time they take nutmeg tincture with alcohol.. The method of its preparation: a glass of nutmeg powder, a glass of crushed ginger, 0.5 cups of anise seeds pour 0.7 - 1 l of purified medical alcohol. Insist for a week, occasionally shaking tare.
Insomnia. For a healthy and sound sleep, take a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of walnut at night.
Varicose veinsThe nutmeg tincture is used for the treatment of varicose veins. It is prepared as follows: 100 g of honey and 20 g of nutmeg are poured with a glass of slightly cooled boiling water. After complete cooling, take a tablespoon three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
Rheumatism, joint pain. Use external use paste from vegetable oil and nutmeg powder in a ratio of 1: 1. Paste applied hot. Keep until cooled.
Important! Nutmeg only in micro doses (no more than 1-1.5 grams per day) can have a beneficial and healing effect, there are contraindications for the simultaneous use of three or four fruits. A large amount of spice can lead to nausea, allergic reactions, drug intoxication and even death.
Neuralgia. With this problem, ointments, lotions and compresses with the addition of a small amount of nutmeg powder have proven themselves well. There should also be aware of the measure, because long-term use of nutmeg can cause skin burns.
Cosmetic problems. Nutmeg powder is mixed with creams, scrubs, lotions to improve the condition of the skin, hair strengthening products. A home scrub that cleanses the pores and helps get rid of dead skin particles can be prepared from just two ingredients: ground nutmeg and fresh orange lentils. When solving the problem of acne, a medical paste is prepared from nut powder and honey. Also in medicine they use the essential oil of nutmeg, which has a warming, toning, stimulating, and analgesic effect. It is used for inhalation in treating problems with the bronchi; in aromatherapy - for the prevention of influenza and respiratory diseases, increasing sexual desire, getting rid of stress and bad mood; for massage - to get rid of rheumatic pains.
Before carrying out these procedures, it is imperative that you read the instructions for use and the dosage of oil. Essential oil of nutmeg (2-3 drops, but not more) can be added to the water when taking a bath. By combining it with orange and saffron oil, you can disinfect the air in the room.
How to use nutmeg in cooking
Nutmeg in a ground condition has found wide application in cooking. It is added to vegetable and mushroom dishes, soups, lamb and beef meat dishes, rice and pasta. With him bake a sweet muffin (cakes, cookies, cakes) and make desserts. It is mixed into jam, drinks (included in Coca-Cola), alcoholic cocktails. Adding this spice to sauces and pickles is very popular. It is present in canned fish and sausage. Included in the recipe of the mixture of spices "Garam Masala", "Curry".
Did you know? Most professional chefs do not use ready-made ground spice. Since nutmeg powder loses its flavor very quickly, they rub a whole nut on a special grater just before preparing the dish.
In order for the spice to not lose its beneficial and taste qualities, it must be laid at the end of the heat treatment. In the dough, nutmeg is added to the last batch. In cooking, in addition to ground nutmeg, its essential oil is also used. For example, in Eastern cuisine it is added to meat sauces and salads, honey and jam, sweet pastries, and beverages (tea, coffee, liqueurs, wine, mulled wine).
Important! When using nutmeg for cooking it is important not to depart from the spice dosage in the recipe. Otherwise, you can spoil the taste of any dish.
How to store nutmeg
In order for nutmeg to not lose its properties longer, it is better to store it in the kernels. In the shell, it can be stored for up to nine years. To save the nuts use glass or metal containers, foil bag. The maximum shelf life of ground nut is one year.
Nutmeg: Contraindications
We have already mentioned that the beneficial properties of nutmeg and contraindications to its use are separated by a very fine line, which depends on several factors:
- quantities of consumed product;
- individual tolerance;
- existing diseases;
- mental and physical condition
- age
Before systematic use of spices for therapeutic purposes, it is advisable to consult with your doctor. It is necessary to communicate with a specialist to persons who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, have a history of high blood pressure, arrhythmia. Caution should be taken this spice for older people.
Use of nutmeg is contraindicated:
- children and adolescents up to 15 years;
- pregnant women;
- women during lactation;
- people with central nervous system disorders and mental illness;
- allergy sufferers.
Did you know? Due to the fact that this spice in large quantities can cause narcotic and food poisoning and lead to death, nutmeg at one time offered to write to the list of narcotic substances and withdraw from free access.
Nutmeg, used in small doses, is very valuable to the human body. It can prevent and treat all sorts of diseases, give the original flavor and taste of dishes. However, its use should not forget about the recommended rules.
