Nutmeg
Nutmeg
Nutmeg or Jaiphal is a seed that can be ground and is commonly used as a spice. The fleshy red net-like skin cover on the seed kernel of Nutmeg is known as Mace or Javitri which is also used as a spice.
Nutmeg helps reduce anxiety as well as depression due to its antidepressant property. Its intake as a spice in your regular diet helps enhance digestion. Moreover, since ages, Nutmeg has been used as a home remedy to manage diarrhea and gas in babies. It also helps reduce inflammation and gives relief from joint pain.
Nutmeg is extensively used as part of a number of Ayurvedic medicines and formulations used to promote sexual health.
Nutmeg butter, a fat derived from the seed, is used in perfumery and toothpastes. Applying Nutmeg powder along with honey or milk on your skin helps control excess oil and removes pigmentation[2-4][6].
Nutmeg helps reduce anxiety as well as depression due to its antidepressant property. Its intake as a spice in your regular diet helps enhance digestion. Moreover, since ages, Nutmeg has been used as a home remedy to manage diarrhea and gas in babies. It also helps reduce inflammation and gives relief from joint pain.
Nutmeg is extensively used as part of a number of Ayurvedic medicines and formulations used to promote sexual health.
Nutmeg butter, a fat derived from the seed, is used in perfumery and toothpastes. Applying Nutmeg powder along with honey or milk on your skin helps control excess oil and removes pigmentation[2-4][6].
What are the synonyms of Nutmeg?
Myristica fragrans, Jatisasya, Jatiphala, Jaiphal, Kanivish, Jaitri, Jayfar, Jadikai, Jaykai, Jaidikai, Jafal, Jatika, Sathikkai, Jathikkai, Jatikkai, Jadhikai, Jadhikkai, Jajikaya, Jauzbuwa, Javitri[1].
What is the source of Nutmeg?
Plant Based
Benefits of Nutmeg
Modern Science View
Nutmeg might be beneficial in the management of intestinal gas. Gas formation occurs mainly due to indigestion of food. Nutmeg acts as a digestive and promotes the process of digestion. Thus, Nutmeg is used as a remedy in case of digestive problems like flatulence and colic[2][3].
Ayurvedic View
Nutmeg might give relief from intestinal gas. Gas or flatulence is caused due to an imbalance of Vata and Pitta dosha. Low Pitta dosha and aggravated Vata dosha results in low digestive fire, thus impairing digestion. An impaired digestion leads to intestinal gas or flatulence. Taking Nutmeg helps to improve digestive fire and corrects digestion because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
2. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to control intestinal gas.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
2. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to control intestinal gas.
Modern Science View
Nutmeg might be beneficial in the management of stomach problems like indigestion. It acts as a good digestive agent and supports digestion[2][3].
Ayurvedic View
Nutmeg helps to manage stomach problems like indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Nutmeg helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
Tip:
Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to manage indigestion.
Tip:
Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to manage indigestion.
Modern Science View
Nutmeg might be beneficial in the management of diarrhea. It has good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. It helps to reduce the microbial infection. It also reduces the inflammation of the intestine. Due to its anti-secretory activity, it reduces the loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body[2][3].
Ayurvedic View
Nutmeg is useful to control diarrhea. Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Nutmeg helps to control diarrhea by balancing Vata and promoting digestive fire due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also helps to thicken loose stool and control the frequency of loose motion.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
2. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to control diarrhea.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
2. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals to control diarrhea.
Modern Science View
Nutmeg might be beneficial in the management of various types of cancer. It has antioxidant, and chemoprotective activity. It leads to the death of the cancerous cells and prevents the spread of cancer[2][3].
How effective is Nutmeg?
Insufficient evidence
Cancer, Diarrhea, Flatulence (gas formation), Indigestion
Precautions when using Nutmeg
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Consult your doctor while taking Nutmeg during Breastfeeding[3].
Moderate Medicine Interaction
Modern Science View
1. Nutmeg may interact with the drugs that are metabolized in the liver. So, it is generally advisable to consult your doctor if you are taking any drugs that are changed by the liver[3].
2. Nutmeg may interact with the sedatives. So it is generally advised to consult your doctor while taking Nutmeg with sedatives[3].
2. Nutmeg may interact with the sedatives. So it is generally advised to consult your doctor while taking Nutmeg with sedatives[3].
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Although it is safe to take Nutmeg in food amounts, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking Nutmeg during pregnancy[3].
Side Effects
Important
Modern Science View
Nausea
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Hallucinations[3].
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Hallucinations[3].
Recommended Dosage of Nutmeg
- Nutmeg Powder - 1-2 pinch once or twice a day.
How to use Nutmeg
1. Nutmeg Powder
a. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
b. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals.
a. Take 1-2 pinch of Nutmeg Powder.
b. Swallow it with honey preferably after meals.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Nutmeg has a characteristic taste. It imparts a sweetness to the dishes. It can be easily distinguished even when blended with various other spices.
Modern Science View
There is not enough scientific evidence available to confirm the therapeutic doses of Nutmeg. However Nutmeg at 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight was reported to induce therapeutic effect. It is generally advisable to avoid the overdosage of Nutmeg[9][10].
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Tripathi N, Kumar V, Acharya S. MYRISTICA FRAGRANS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.Int J Pharm Pharm Sci.2016;8(2):27-30.
- WebMD.Nutmeg-and-mace: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
- Shafiei Z, Shuhairi NN, Yap NMFS, et al. Antibacterial activity of Myristica fragrans against oral pathogens. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2012.
- Zhang WK, Tao SS, Li TT, et al. Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo. Food & Nutrition Research.2016.60:30849.
- Abourashed EA, El-Alfy AT. Chemical diversity and pharmacological significance of the secondary metabolites of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.).Phytochem Rev.2016.15(6): 1035–1056.
- Tajuddin, Ahmad S, Latif A, et al. An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg). BMC Complement Altern Med. 2005;20;5:16:1-7.
- Usman R.Poisonous Herbal Plants: N.A.Educreation Publishing.2016.
- Demetriades AK, Wallman PD, McGuiness A, et al. Low cost, high risk: accidental nutmeg intoxication. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(3):223-225.
- Hallström H, Thuvander A. Toxicological evaluation of myristicin. Nat Toxins. 1997;5(5):186-192.
- Yang XN, Liu XM, Fang JH,et al. PPARα Mediates the Hepatoprotective Effects of Nutmeg. J Proteome Res. 2018;17(5):1887-1897.
- Moinuddin G, Devi K, Khajuria DK.Evaluation of the anti–depressant activity of Myristica fragrans(Nutmeg) in male rats.Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine.2012;2(2): 72–78.
- Gonçalves JL, Lopes RC, Oliveira DB, et al . In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhea. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;99(3):403-407.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.