The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia. This oil has a very warm, almost nutty kind of scent. It is a spice that really can give a variety of scents a great finish for Christmas.
The nutmeg tree is important for two spices derived from the fruit: nutmeg and mace. Nutmeg is the seed of the tree, roughly egg-shaped and about 20 to 30 mm (0.8 to 1.2 in) long and 15 to 18 mm (0.6 to 0.7 in) wide, and weighing between 5 and 10 g (0.2 and 0.4 oz) dried, while mace is the dried "lacy" reddish covering or aril of the seed. The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place 7–9 years after planting, and the trees reach full production after 20 years. Nutmeg is usually used in powdered form. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices. Several other commercial products are also produced from the trees, including essential oils, extracted oleoresins and nutmeg butter.
Nutmeg was one of the most valuable spices. It has been said that in England, several hundred years ago, a few nutmeg nuts could be sold for enough money to enable financial independence for life.
The nutmeg tree originates in Banda, the largest of the Molucca spice islands of Indonesia. The English word nutmeg comes from the latin nux, meaning nut, and muscat, meaning musky.
In the sixth century, nutmegs were brought by Arab merchants to Constantinople. In the fourteenth century, half a kilogram of nutmeg cost as much as three sheep or a cow.
Benefit & Uses:
Nutmeg is used in sweet and spicy dishes like pies, custard; cookies spice cakes, cheese sauces, soups, and egg, vegetables dishes. Mace is often preferred in light-colored dishes for the bright orange, saffron-like color it imparts.
Muscle aches and pain, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, muscle fatigue, poor circulation, eases labor pains warms muscles.
Nutmeg oil is potent brain booster, increasing circulation and allowing you to concentrate better. It also works by stimulating the brain and therefore removes mental exhaustion and stress.
Nutmeg oil also stimulates the cardiovascular system and therefore is a good tonic for the heart. Nutmeg is an effective liver and kidney detoxifier.
Nutmeg powder heated on the pan with sesame oil until brown is an effective external application to relieve any rheumatic pain, neuralgia and sciatica. The oil should be cooled and strained before application. Nutmeg oil is also effective in treating menstrual cramps, muscular and joint pain as it is an excellent sedative.
Nutmeg can help clear up congestion due to colds; this is the reason why it is used in many cough syrups.
A regular massage of the abdomen with nutmeg oil, three weeks before delivery is believed to be very helpful for child birth. Nutmeg paste mixed with honey is given to infants who cry at night for no apparent reason, to induce sleep.
Nutmeg oil helps in removing bad breath. It is also antiseptic in nature and is effective toothaches and aching gums.
Nutmeg is also an effective sedative. In fact, nutmeg is a staple in ancient Chinese medicine. The Chinese used the spice to treat inflammation and abdominal pain. Use nutmeg is suffering from aching joints, muscle pain, arthritis, sores and other ailments. To relieve the pain, apply nutmeg oil to the affected areas.
Detoxification is an important factor of good health. Diet, pollution, stress, tobacco, medication and other external substances can lead to the build-up of toxins in your organs. The liver and kidney are two of the organs where this toxic build-up usually develops. As a tonic, nutmeg can clean liver and kidney and remove these toxins. Nutmeg is also effective in preventing and dissolving kidney stones. When liver and kidney are successfully detoxified, they can perform their function better.