Tired of anxious and sleepless nights? It’s time to embrace the miracle of nutmeg

By Parul Malhotra Bahl
Nutritionist
Nutmeg

Since time immemorial, our great-grandmothers have been using various spices in the kitchen for their medicinal properties. Many such spices have vanished from our kitchen shelves today. One of them is a warm spice called nutmeg or jaiphal. The spicy nut, mainly known for its sweet aroma, has been used since ages for flavouring culinary dishes and desserts. In addition to its aromatic properties, nutmeg has immense potential therapeutic applications.
In today’s fast paced corporate culture, multitasking and stress have become the leading factors for anxiety and sleepless nights. To combat this situation I am sure most of you give in to various expensive and tasteless solutions like chamomile tea—just to name a few. But what if I tell you there is a much cheaper and tastier aromatic alternative?
Take a tiny pinch of nutmeg powder in a warm cup of milk at night right before you sleep and see the magic happen!
Nutmeg has sleep inducing and de-stressing effects. It’s essential oils have nerve soothing properties which can take away anxiety and de-stress the body completely. Well that’s just one reason you need to get this incredible spice back onto your kitchen shelves. It comes packed with numerous other benefits (mentioned below), which will propel you to get the spice right away.
1. Stress buster and an antidepressant:
The chemicals in nutmeg help the body release happy hormones which in turn relax and de-stress the body and uplift the mood. Nutmeg is an effective ingredient for treating depression and anxiety.
2. Helps with chronic pain relief
It’s a known fact that pain is a result of inflammation or swelling. The essential oils in nutmeg have anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammation in any muscle or joint, thereby reducing pain in the affected areas.
3. A potent detoxifier
Nutmeg’s anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties make it a super detoxifying agent. Bad breath is a common result of accumulated toxins in the body. By eliminating toxins, essential oils in nutmeg help in treating bad breath.
4. Helps in digestion
The carminative effect of essential oils in nutmeg make them digestive in nature. They help in secretion of digestive enzymes which help in relieving various digestive issues like diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and even gas.
5. Helps in blood pressure control
The numerous minerals in nutmeg like potassium, iron, and manganese which are known for regulating blood pressure. In addition, due to its de-stressing properties nutmeg eases off pressure from blood vessels and helps the heart work efficiently.
6. Helps in hair growth
One of the reasons for hair loss is clogged scalp and dandruff. The anti-microbial properties of nutmeg helps in keeping the scalp clean and prevents dandruff thereby preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
7. Supports weight loss
By helping the body remove toxins and enhancing its digestive capabilities, nutmeg directly helps in boosting the body’s metabolism which is a primary factor that aids in weight loss.

But remember, excess of everything is bad
Despite the numerous benefits that nutmeg has to offer, it should be used in little quantities (a tiny pinch a day is enough). Excessive consumption of nutmeg can cause toxicity and lead to nausea and vomiting, and even altered brain activities like hallucinations.

Here are some ways of incorporating nutmeg in food:
*Add a pinch of nutmeg powder to a cup of warm milk.
*Add a pinch of grated whole nutmeg in home-made soups and stews.
*Add a pinch of nutmeg powder in custards, pies, and even cakes and muffins.
*Add a pinch of nutmeg powder to your non-veg curries.