Nutmeg
Mpyristica fragrans
The giant nutmeg tree, which grows up to 66 feet tall, is native to the Moluccas Islands in the South Pacific. The tree produces a peach-shaped fruit known as the nutmeg apple, which is discarded in favor of the aromatic seed inside. When ripe, the fruit splits to expose a pecansized nut wrapped in a bright red “netting” called an aril. The nut and aril are separated and dried. The nut is nutmeg, the aril (which turns a yellow color as it dries) yields the spice mace. Though both of these spices have a long history of use in both Chinese and Indian medicine, nutmeg is more commonly prescribed. It has a variety of health benefits: It with a neutral oil and used in massage, it eases joint pain and inflammation.
A WARMING SPICE OIL
Nutmeg is sold as a whole nut, a ground powder and an essential oil. The oil is of special interest because its healing properties act on both a physical and psychological level: Nutmeg oil strengthens the heart and circulation, stimulates digestion, warms the body and banishes fatigue. To counteract joint pain, add a blend of nutmeg, clove and rosemary essential oils to an aromatic diffuser.
Nutmeg
Mpyristica fragrans
Therapeutic Effect: Regular use of nuitmeg as a seasoning stimulaies the cardiovascular system, promotes concentration, aclts as an expectorant, reduces Joint inflammation and belps the liver remove toxins. It also has a warming effect on the digestive system, reduces indigestion, nausea and vomiting and calms diarrhea.
🙤 Components
Nutmeg is a potent aromatic spice. The active ingredients in its essential oil are myristicin, elincin, camphene, geraniol and borneol. Nutmeg also contains fatty substances, starch, protein and some potassium and calcium.
🙤 Basil snuff
To provide fast relief for diarrhea, dissolve 3 pinches of ground nutmeg in a glass of warm milk. Sip the drink slowly. For stomach upset, add a small pinch of nutmeg to peppermint tea or sprinkle nutmeg over 1 tbsp. of honey.
Take Care
In large doses, the myristicin and elincin in nutmeg can be toxic, may produce a hallucinogenic effect or cause mrscamages. Don’t use more than 2 tbsp. of ground spice or 10 drops of essential oil per day.
✽ Nutmeg Cookies ✽
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
20z.candied lemon peel .
9oz.ground almonds
1-2 tbsp. cornstarch
‘/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
1 small package graham crackers –
Lemon cake frosting
2-3 oz. chopped pistachios
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until frothy.
- Chop the lemon peel. Stir the peel and almonds into the egg mixture. Add some cornstarch to thicken Fold the nutmeg into the egg mixture.
- Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls and place each ball on a graham cracker. Bake the cookies for 12-15 min.
- After they have cooled spread frosting on them and sprinkles with pitachios.
✽ For Joint Inflammation ✽
♦ Regular nutmeg consumption can relieve join pain and gout. Put 5-6 drops on a sugar cube, or in 1 tbsp. of honey. Add the sugar to a cup of warm milk and sip throughout the day.
✽ For Toothache ✽
♦ For a toothache, place 1 drop of nutmeg oil on a cotton swab. Apply it to the gum area around the tooth. Repeat several times a day.
Kitchen Hint
♦ Ground nutmeg is available prepackaged. However, once ground, the spice quickly loses its aroma. It is therefore best to buy whole nuts and use the fine side of a cheese grater to grind them to a powder yourself. Do this shortly before using the spice. Whole nuts will keep indefinitely.
♦ When purchasing whole nutmeg, ask if the nuts were dipped in lime milk; this is a sign of high quality.
♦ Nutmeg is an excellent seasoning for cooked vegetables, especially cauliflower, potatoes, spinach and winter squash. It is a delicious addition to creamy white sauce, pasta fillings and meat dishes. Of course, itis a familiar flavor in pumpkin pie and other baked goods, as well as in eggnog.
♦ Nutmeg loses its flavor when heated: If possible, add freshly grated nutmeg toward the end of the cooking process,
♦ The effects of alcohol are intensified by nutmeg. Limit your alcohol intake when eating foods prepared with a good amount of the spice.
♦ Nutmeg complements winter drinks, such as tea and hot apple cider. Sprinkle the spice over the hot drink; it adds flavor and helps soothe colds and bronchitis.
♦ In spice blends, nutmeg works well with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and black pepper.
Take Care
In large doses, the myristicin and elincin in nutmeg can be toxic, may produce a hallucinogenic effect or cause mrscamages. Don’t use more than 2 tbsp. of ground spice or 10 drops of essential oil per day.