Origin, Distribution and Composition
Nutmeg is the dried kernel of the seeds of an evergreen tree. It has a strong aroma with a slightly bitter taste. The nutmeg tree is usually 9 to 12 metres high but sometimes attains a height of upto 20 metres or more.
Nutmeg tree grows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. It appears from ancient records that nutmeg tree flourished in India at one time, but is a scarce plant species now.
Nutmeg contains an essential oil and saponin. The dry, ripe seeds of the fruit contains a volatile oil and a fixed oil. The dry leaves of the tree yield an
essential oil consisting of myristicin.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
Nutmeg was used in the preparations of various
medicines in ancient times. Even today it is used in several important and widely used pharmaceutical preparations. The oil extracted from the herb is used in liniments, perfumery, hair lotions and as an antispasmodic carminative.
Digestive Disorders
The powder of nutmeg, about 5 to 15 grams, mixed with apple juice or banana, is used as a specific remedy for
diarrhea caused by indigestion of food. The same quantity of nutmeg powder taken with a tablespoon of fresh arrda juice thrice daily, is effective for
Indigestion, hiccups and morning sickness.
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Insomnia
The powder of nutmeg, mixed with fresh amla juice, is also an effective
medicine for
insomnia, irritability and
depression. Nutmeg paste mixed with honey is given to infants who cry at night for no apparent reason, to induce
sleep. It should, however, not be given regularly without
medical advice as it may cause serious complications and addiction in the infants.
Dehydration
The herb is useful in treating
dehydration caused by vomiting and
diarrhea, particularly in cholera. An infusion prepared from half a nutmeg in half a litre of water given with tender coconut water in doses of 15 grams at a time, is an effective treatment.
Skin Disdorders
Nutmeg is used in the treatment of
skin
disease like ringworm and
eczema. The paste of the herb prepared by rubbing it on a stone slab in one's own early morning saliva— before cleansing the mouth—is applied once daily as a specific remedy in the treatment of these conditions.
Rheumatism
A nutmeg coarsely powdered and fried in til oil, until all the particles become brown, is very useful as an external application to relieve any rheumatic pain,
neuralgia and
sciatica. The oil. should be cooled and strained before application.
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Common Cold
In case of a running nose, a paste made from this with cow's milk and 75 mg of opium should be applied to the forehead and the nose^ it will provide quick relief.
Precautions
Nutmeg should be taken in very small doses in appreciable doses it excites the motor cortex and produces epileptic convulsions and lesions in the liver. Even a teaspoon of nutmeg can produce toxic symptoms such as burning in the
stomach, nausea, vomiting, restlessness and giddiness with hallucinations.
Other Uses
Sex Stimulant
Nutmeg, mixed with honey and a half-boiled egg, makes an excellent sex tonic. It prolongs the duration of the sexual act if taken an hour before intercourse.
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