Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the seed of the evergreen trees of the same name, whose area of ​​distribution is the tropical zones of Southeast Asia and Australasia.

The nutmeg tree lives for about 100 years, and is actively fruitful only in the first 40. In one fruitful year, the plant can produce more than 10,000 fruits, which have the color and size of a large apricot.

When fully ripe, the fruit splits in the middle.
The nutmeg itself is nothing more than a seed in a stone, and to separate it, the stone is first dried in the sun, and then its woody bark is removed.

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The core of the stone is dried over an open fire until it acquires a dark brown color. The total time to obtain quality nutmeg can reach 2.5-4 months.

The finished walnut has an oval shape with a length of 2-3 cm and a width of 1.5-2 cm. However, some nuts have a rounder shape, which also depends on the sharpness of their aroma.

The properties of nutmeg have been known to man since the times of Ancient Rome and Ancient Hellas. It was used to treat many ailments, as a food spice and to flavor the air in the rooms with it.

Nutmeg arrived in Europe during the colonial campaigns of the Portuguese and the Dutch. Until the beginning of the 19th century, Portugal and the Netherlands managed to keep the monopoly and the high prices of the spice.

Nutritional value per 100 grams

• Proteins – 21 grams;
• Fats – 49 grams;
• Carbohydrates – 7.5 grams;
• Mineral salts – 3.1 grams;
• Water – 9.5 grams;
• Caloric content – ​​557 kilocalories;

Beneficial properties

The core of the nutmeg contains the following vitamins A, from group B, nicotinic acid, biotin and tocopherol and minerals – phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, chlorine, sulphur, sodium, zinc, copper, iodine and others, essential oil, starch and pectin.

When using this spice in small quantities, its positive properties are manifested. It has a strong stimulating and toning effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Nutmeg is used in Eastern medicine as a remedy for men with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and other disorders associated with the absence of sexual desire and, as a result, the inability to maintain an erection.

Very small amounts of nutmeg have the ability to calm the nervous system and restore a person’s ability to fall asleep quickly. If this spice is added to hot tea or massage oil, it is easy to prevent the first signs of a cold and increase immunity.

If a thick paste is prepared on the basis of nutmeg and warm sunflower oil, the resulting remedy can be used to treat myositis, arthritis, rheumatism and osteochondrosis.

For this purpose, the still warm paste is applied to the affected area, which is then covered with polyethylene and a warm cloth. This compress is left for 10-20 minutes until it cools down.

Nutmeg is excellent for constipation, diarrhea and other disorders of bowel and stomach function, as well as for loss of appetite and excessive gas formation.

Contraindications for the use of nutmeg

Among the substances contained in this spice, the presence of elimycin, methylenediloxane and other substances that have hallucinogenic and narcotic effects has been found.

If a person eats 3-4 fresh nutmegs or an equivalent amount of dried ones, they can get severe food poisoning, accompanied by cramps and disorientation.