Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a fruit of the nutmeg tree, which brings many health benefits such as helping to control high blood pressure, relieving menstrual cramps, combating excess gas and reducing bad breath.
These benefits are due to the fact that this spice is rich in myristicin, eugenol, pinene and sabinene, which are phenolic compounds and essential oils with bactericidal, analgesic, carminative and antispasmodic action.
Nutmeg is found in supermarkets in the form of seeds or powder, and can be used to flavor recipes such as cakes, breads, meats, soups, yogurt and pies, for example. Additionally, nutmeg can also be used in the form of teas or essential oil.
What is it for
The main health benefits of nutmeg are:
1. Helps control high blood pressure
Nutmeg helps control high blood pressure as it contains myristicin and eugenol, phenolic compounds and essential oils with antioxidant action that improve artery health and facilitate blood circulation. See how to control high blood pressure.
2. It can improve mood
Myristicin, an important essential oil present in nutmeg, can improve mood, as it acts on the central nervous system, helping to reduce depression and improve general well-being.
However, studies carried out with humans are still needed to prove the benefits of nutmeg on mood.
3. Relieves menstrual cramps
Nutmeg is rich in eugenol, in addition to containing good amounts of sabinene and pinene, which are monoterpene compounds with analgesic and antispasmodic properties that reduce pain and muscle contraction, relieving menstrual cramps. Check out other tips for relieving menstrual cramps.
4. Reduces bad breath
As it has bactericidal action, nutmeg can be used to combat bacteria present on the tongue or that cause cavities, helping to reduce bad breath in these situations.
Furthermore, nutmeg also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to relieve toothache caused by situations such as cavities or broken teeth, for example.
5. Improves digestion
Nutmeg improves digestion because it has good amounts of eugenol, which is an essential oil with carminative properties that help fight excess gas.
Furthermore, bioactive compounds such as myristicin, pinene and sabinene, which are present in nutmeg, also have digestive and anti-inflammatory effects, improving liver function and helping to treat gastritis and gastric ulcers.
6. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Nutmeg fights free radicals and prevents the oxidation of fat cells, controlling the levels of “bad” cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in the blood and thus preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke.
7. Maintains liver health
Nutmeg is rich in myrislignan, a lignan that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective actions, maintaining health and helping to detoxify the liver. Discover other ways to detoxify the liver.
However, studies are still needed to prove this action of myrislignan in humans.
8. May Help Prevent Cancer
Because it contains great amounts of myristicin, nutmeg stimulates glutathione S transferase, which is an enzyme with antioxidant action, protecting healthy cells in the body against damage caused by free radicals and thus helping to prevent the emergence of cancer. .
9. Inhibits the growth of bacteria
The active compounds present in nutmeg essential oil, such as carvacrol, γ-cymene, α-pinene, β-pinene and β-caryophyllene, have antimicrobial properties that help fight bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, for example. .
10. Relieve inflammation
Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory activity, as it apparently reduces proteins that are associated with inflammatory processes, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, in addition to increasing interleukin-10, a protein with anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it can be a good option to treat chronic inflammatory pain, especially joint pain.
How to use nutmeg
Nutmeg is found in seed form, which must be grated, or in powder form, and can be used as a spice in recipes such as cakes, breads, meats, soups, creams, fruit salads, yogurt and pies, for example.
Nutmeg can also be used to prepare drinks such as cappuccino, hot chocolate, hot milk and smoothies.
Furthermore, nutmeg can also be consumed in the form of teas or essential oil, which can be used in massages or inhalation.
How to make tea
Nutmeg tea is usually made with grated nutmeg seeds.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 freshly grated nutmeg seed;
- 500 ml of water.
Preparation mode:
Place the water in a pan and bring to a boil. After turning off the heat, add the grated nutmeg, cover the pan and let it rest for 10 minutes. Strain and drink then.
However, the dosage and time of use of this tea should always be indicated by a doctor or other health professional specialized in the use of medicinal plants.
Possible side effects
Ingestion of 5 g or more of nutmeg can cause side effects such as delusions and hallucinations, loss of muscle coordination, tachycardia, arrhythmia, increased respiratory rate, change in blood pressure, vertigo, nausea, blurred vision.
Furthermore, using high amounts of nutmeg for a long period can also cause organ failure and death.
Who shouldn’t use
Although nutmeg can be used to season foods, this spice should not be used in the form of teas or essential oils by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
