NUTMEG / JAIFAL
Nutmeg, (Myristica fragrans), tropical evergreen tree (family Myristicaceae) and the spice made of its seed. The tree is native to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, of Indonesia and is principally cultivated there and in the West Indies. The spice nutmeg has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm slightly sweet taste; it is used to flavour many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog. The fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace.
Historically, grated nutmeg was used as a sachet, and the Romans used it as incense. Around 1600 it became important as an expensive commercial spice in the Western world and was the subject of Dutch plots to keep prices high and of English and French counterplots to obtain fertile seeds for transplantation. The nutmegs sold whole were dipped in lime to prevent their sprouting.
Nutmeg trees may reach a height of about 20 metres (65 feet). They yield fruit eight years after sowing, reach their prime in 25 years, and bear fruit for 60 years or longer. The fruit is a pendulous drupe, similar in appearance to an apricot. When fully mature it splits in two, exposing a crimson-coloured aril, the mace, surrounding a single shiny brown seed, the nutmeg. The pulp of the fruit is eaten locally. After collection the aril-enveloped nutmegs are conveyed to curing areas where the mace is removed, flattened out, and dried. The nutmegs are dried gradually in the sun and turned twice daily over a period of six to eight weeks. During this time the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat until the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. The shell is then broken with a wooden truncheon and the nutmegs are picked out. Dried nutmegs are grayish brown ovals with furrowed surfaces.
NUTMEG / JAIFAL
Nutrition Table
Saturated Fatty Acid
Carbohydrate
Dietary Fiber
Energy
Fat
Protein
Sugar
Sodium
– 130%
– 18%
– 21.0g / 100g
– 545 kcal / 100g
– 46%
– 12%
-3g/100g
– 160mg / kg
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contribute to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
PACKAGING QUANTITIES
FAMILY
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
–MYRISTICACEAE
–MYRISTICA FRAGRANS
–NUTMED / JAIFAL
Adult reference intake per each 1g of portion of nutmeg / jaifal contains :
Energy
22.78 kj
5.45 kcal
<1%
Fat
0.04g
<1%
Saturates
0.03g
<1%
Sugar
0.00g
<1%
Salt
0.00g
<1%
Typical values per 100g:
Energy545.00 kcal 2278.00 kj
HEALTH BENEFITS
Let’s check out the health benefit of eating nutmeg. It is good for hair growth, use nutmeg powder or oil for skin care. If you are pregnant then you can consume nutmeg with milk due to its nutritional value. You can also add nutmeg in your weight loss diet. Nutmeg also good for men and women’s sexual performance.
Nutmeg good for brain health
Nutmeg contains essential oil, called myristicin and macelignan which help to reduce the degradation of neural pathways and cognitive function that commonly afflicts people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. it can help eliminate fatigue and stress and stimulate brain functions. Also nutmeg is used to fight depression and anxiety.
Nutmeg oil for pain relief
Nutmeg oil is also an effective sedative. Nutmeg contains many essential volatile oils such as myristicin, elemicin, eugenol and safrole. Nutmeg volatile oils possess anti-inflammatory properties that make it advantageous for treating joint and muscle ache. Nutmeg oil can treat inflammation, swelling, joint pain, muscle pain and sores and provide relief to the person.
Nutmeg as natural toothpaste
Nutmeg has antibacterial properties. It contains eugenol, which brings relief from toothache. It also helps in clearing the toxins from liver and kidneys. It prevents bad breath and oral probelms.
Nutmeg promotes digestive health
The rich fibre content of nutmeg helps to assist the perstaltic movement throught the intestinal passageway. It induces the secretion of various gastric and intestinal juices that ease the digestive process. Since fiber can bulk up the bowel movements, it lowers the frequency and discomfort of constipation and other intestinal issues.
Nutmeg powder for insomnia
Nutmeg dose has a high content of magnesium, an essential mineral in the body that checks nerve tension and anxiety pangs, 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 acts as a sleep inducer, relieving people with insomnia and restlessness at night. Nutmeg also has trace elements of narcotics,a small amount of which can help release various neurotransmitters which in turn helps induce relaxation and sleep.
Nutmeg benefits blood pressure and circulation
Copper is an important nutrient in nutmegs which helps to balance the blood pressure and consequently helps in the maintenance of heart rate. Potassium, prenet in nutmegs, is a vasodilator, which relaxes blood vessels, hence reducing blood pressure and lowering the strain on the cardiovascular system.
Nutmeg for skin problem
Nutmeg is a good ingredient for skin care because of its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as a potential remedy for blackheads, treatment of acne and clogged pores. Nutmeg has anti-bacterial and analgesic properties help in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. Nutmeg oil good for skin lightening, whitening and skin pigmentation, skin rash and inflammation.
Nutmeg Anti-Oxidant Properties
Nutmegs have antioxidant properties that are very beneficial in smooth functioning of the body. They provide antioxidants that prevent free radical formation, which otherwise is capable of triggering unwanted reactions in the body. These reactions may lead to many serious compound formations in the body and may even turn out to be cancerous.
Use Nutmeg for Oral Health
Nutmeg contains active antibacterial components that helps to fight conditions like halitosis, also known as bad breath. It kills the bacteria that causes this bad breath condition and generally boosts the immunity of gums and teeth, thus improving the oral health. This is why nutmeg and its extracts are commonly used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, particularly in organic or herbal varieties.
Uses of Nutmeg
Though not much is known, nutmegs have its share in curbing leukemia. It reduces hairfall by increasing blood circulation and enhancing hair growth. It is also rich in minerals that help in keeping the immune system of the body robust. The volatile oil of nutmeg may also help to prevent or treat seizures.
SIDE-EFFECTS & ALLERGIES OF NUTMEG
High consumption of nutmeg causes people suffer severe gastrointestinal reactions, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. People can suffer from heart and nerve problems as well if not checked when necessary. Long term doses of nutmeg has been linked to hallucinations and other mental side effects. It is not recommended during breast feeding.