Useful properties and contraindications of nutmeg

Portuguese and Dutch seafarers brought exotic fruits to Europe from the Mollux Islands in the Indian Ocean.

According to legend, it was with spices (nutmeg and cloves) that Magellan paid off his creditors for financing his voyage around the world.

In the 18th century, the British managed to land there are so many nutmeg trees on the island of Grenada that this state is still the second largest producer of nutmeg in the world.

Until the 19th century, Holland and Portugal were monopolists in the spice market.

Since then, the cost has plummeted, especially when the plantations of this crop began to bear fruit. in Brazil, India, on the islands of Indonesia, in Africa, where the nut also grows.

Where does nutmeg grow and what does it look like?

The nutmeg tree itself has a height of 10-12 meters, low by tropical standards.

The fruits of this nutmeg are large peach-like fruits. When fully ripe, they burst in half, the bone is exposed.

What does it look like? The nutmeg itself is nothing more than its core (like the kernel of an apricot kernel). On one tree, about 2000 of such fruits ripen.

The nutmeg tree bears fruit for about 100 years, but yields only the first 40.

The technology for their processing is rather complicated:

• dried nuts;
• peel off;
• the kernels are soaked in a mixture of sea water and coral (obtained from coral) lime with stirring;
• dried again.

In time, all these processes take 3-4 months. At the exit - an oval nut in length a little more than 2 centimeters (the larger - the more appreciated, they also have a more intense aroma).

Calorie content and vitamin composition

100 grams of nutmeg has a caloric value of approximately 550 kcal, but no one eats it in such quantities, it is inappropriate to talk about the benefits of the spice in terms of calorie content.

The value of a nut is not determined by percentages or calories at all. Rich composition - as many as seven vitamins from group B, vitamins A, PP, E, H, U, K), saturated mineral complexes (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, silicon, copper, iodine, molybdenum, cobalt and others in an accessible chemical composition), essential and fatty oils, eugenols, saponins, pectin substances - this is what determines the true value of the spice.

Benefits for the body, beneficial properties for men and women

This unique combination of vitamins, essential oils and minerals makes the spicy nut almost a panacea, given its real effectiveness.

In Israel, as well as in Germany, there are specialized clinics that, in addition to the achievements of pharmacology, use, in addition to the achievements of pharmacology, the healing potential of plants - and nutmeg as well.

This technique is used to treat the initial stages of varicose veins and tuberculosis, inflammatory processes of the liver and spleen, colds and viral diseases, enuresis.

Essential volatile oils of nutmeg produce a warming effect, which is successfully used in massage compositions in the treatment of neuralgia, sciatica, myositis and various rheumatic lesions.

The use of the healing power of the nut is justified for both women and men. Even the simple regular use of this spice does not just boost immunity, prevents the development of oncological diseases of the female genital area by half (according to the Israeli clinic "Sherite").

Mastopathy and other benign tumors are successfully cured by the doctors of this clinic with complexes based on essential oils of nutmeg.

Walnut helps fight hair loss... But its consumption also increases the amount of testosterone in the blood in men, which contributes to the restoration of male sexual health: impotence, premature ejaculation and other disorders.

Essential oils are used in perfumery and aromatherapy, they prevent viruses from entering the cells of the human body, which makes it possible to use the spice during influenza epidemics.

By the way, they knew about it back in the Middle Ages and used it during the plague and smallpox epidemics.

A lot of interesting things about nutmeg will be told by the program “Live Healthy!”:

Harm and contraindications, side effects

With all these wonderful properties, it is unacceptable to abuse nutmeg in any case.

Otherwise, intoxication is possible:

• violation of coordination of movements;
• severe sleepiness;
• euphoria (hallucinogenic effects);
• subsequent withdrawal symptoms (hangover).

A special intolerance to the body is a contraindication - even a lethal outcome is possible.

Especially to beware of abuse nutmeg for pregnant and lactating women, preschool children.

Application in traditional medicine

The unique composition of this oriental spice not only contributes to the development of immunity.

Nutmeg extracts often serve as components of various natural medicines: decoctions, ointments, compresses, tinctures. Most of them contain bee honey and milk.

Conveniently, these proven remedies can be made independently at home and used for treatment.

Here are some of them, developed over centuries of Ayurvedic medicine in India and tested by modern practice.

Colds go away quickly after taking this tea:

• half a glass of boiling water;
• a quarter teaspoon of grated walnut;
• 1 teaspoon of natural honey (add directly to the drink when the boiling water cools down a little).

For diarrhea and other stomach upsets prepare the mixture and take before meals 20-30 minutes. Mix half a glass of curdled milk (yogurt, kefir), half a glass of boiled water, half a teaspoon of powdered ginger, a third of a teaspoon of ground nuts.

Warming paste for muscle and joint pain (rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia):

• 1/2 cup walnut powder
• 1 cup pure olive oil
• 1/2 cup natural anise oil

As a sedative and for insomnia it is recommended to cook for the night: half a teaspoon of ground nuts and 1 tablespoon of bee honey, 1 glass of lukewarm milk.

A warm compress made from milk and grated walnut relieves headaches and helps to cope with colds.

Gruel from grated walnut, diluted in half with water, boil for 7-10 minutes - this the mixture helps to strengthen the hair roots... The gruel is applied to damp hair and kept for 30-40 minutes.

Recipes for masks based on nutmeg:

Expensive "Flongenzyme" for the treatment of multiple sclerosis can be replaced, taking constantly 3 times a day 2-3 hours before meals, 1 tablespoon of infusion:

• 1/2 cup grated nutmeg
• 200 ml of medical 96% alcohol;
• 200 ml of natural linseed oil.

Infuse the mixture in a dark, warm place for two weeks. This remedy is completely harmless and, unlike Flongensim, there is no need to take breaks in the intake cycles.

With varicose veins and thrombophlebitis effectively helps a tincture of 200 grams of ground nuts, 1000 ml of vodka. After 10 days, you can already take dosed 20 drops three times a day (with water).

Tincture to increase male sexual activity:

• 1 cup ground nutmeg
• 1 cup powdered ginger
• 1/2 cup anise seeds
• 1 liter of rubbing alcohol.

Insist in a dark glass dish for at least a week, shaking daily. Take 2 tablespoons three times a day daily.

How to use it in cooking?

A spicy curiosity has long been used as a universal medicine, but already around the 6th century, the nut took root in European cuisine, but already as a flavoring agent for dishes and alcoholic beverages.

Even then it became clear that spices not only improve the taste of food and drinks, but also make them healthier.

The use of spicy additives increased the shelf life of products, since it suppressed the development of pathological microflora (this was not suspected).

Nutmeg is added not only to alcohol, but also to many sweet dishes, most often to various baked goods. A pinch of nuts gives the original taste to the blanks - jam and homemade jam. It is often added to fish and meat dishes.

Cooking sausages, smoked meats, various sauces now it is simply unthinkable without the use of nutmeg. It is often used for mushrooms and vegetables.

Italian "pasta bolognese" and béchamel sauce, candied fruits in Central Asia - they also contain grated nuts.

And also in baked fruits, pumpkin dishes, seafood, typical for all Mediterranean cuisine. Italians add it to ravioli and tortellini fillings.

Walnut aroma forms a harmonious composition with other oriental spices - cardamom, ginger, allspice and turmeric.

Bechamel sauce can be prepared for meat dishes, pasta. For 4 servings you will need:

• 100 grams of butter;
• 3 tablespoons flour;
• 2 glasses of milk;
• salt;
• ground white pepper;
• a pinch of nutmeg.

Melt the butter in a thick-walled bowl. Fry the flour, stirring well, until it starts to change color (this is literally 2 minutes).

Pour the milk in a thin stream, breaking the lumps and stirring the sauce continuously. Cook until thickened, stirring continuously. Add nutmeg, pepper and salt to taste.

"1000 and one Scheherazade spice" will tell about nutmeg:

Spicy pungent nutmeg aroma - not only a pleasant addition to your favorite dish. This pinch of powder contains a whole range of useful substances that not only decorate the taste, but can also treat many diseases.

There is no point in buying ground nuts - the smell goes away too quickly, no matter how you keep it. The best option is to buy a special set: there are several nuts in a jar and a special grater.

Then a serving of freshly grated nutmeg will always be at hand.