NUTMEG

Introduction:

Nutmeg is a seed of fruits on trees, 9 to 12 meter high, found in the Asian Countries. Best are from Malaysia, Indonesia and Shri Lanka. When the fruits are ready on the tree, we find opened up shell showing nutmeg having red coloured mace encircled on them. Both Nutmeg (Jaiphal) and Mace (Javantri) are used as spice and having medicinal value hence used in many Ayurvedic preparations. Nutmeg oil is used for fragrance in beauty products/ soaps and other ayurvedic preparations.

Uses:

1) Headache/ pain relief: Apply fine paste of nutmeg powder on the forehead or affected part.

2) Insomnia: A pinch of powder in warm milk may be taken to get relief from sleeplessness, depression.

3) Pimples/ Acne/ blackheads: Apply a paste of fine powder in milk externally.

4) Cold: Apply fine paste made in cow milk on nose and forehead.

5) Vomiting/ Hiccup: Powder may be given with boiled rice water.

6) For Digestion: Fine powder mixed in milk may be given to relieve digestive disorders like, indigestion, flatulence etc.

7) Dysentery/ Diarrhea: A pinch of Nutmeg powder may be given with a cup of hot milk. Mace powder may be given mixing it with curd made of cow milk.

8) Constipation: A pinch of powder mixed in lemon juice is useful.

9) Oral health: Useful in toothache, removing bad breath.

Doses: Nutmeg powder – 500 mg to 1 Gram per day

           Mace – 250mg to 1 Gram per day

           Children 5-16 years half of the above dose.

Side effects:  1) Overdose should be avoided.

                    2) To be avoided during pregnancy.