What are the major constituents of nutmeg?

The principal constituents of the spices nutmeg and mace are steam volatile oil (essential oil), fixed (fatty) oil, proteins, cellulose, pentosans, starch, resin and mineral elements.

What is ground nutmeg made of?

Nutmeg is a spice made from the inner portion of the seed contained inside the plant’s apricot-sized fruit. It’s derived from the seed of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands (aka Indonesia’s spice islands).

What is the chemical name for nutmeg?

Myristicin
Myristicin is a naturally occurring compound found in common herbs and spices, the most well known being nutmeg.

What is the benefit of nutmeg?

Nutmeg is found to have health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.

Can you eat nutmeg if you have a nut allergy?

Despite its name, nutmeg isn’t a nut. It’s really a seed. If you have a nut allergy, you may be able to eat nutmeg without any risk of an allergic reaction. However, if you have a seed allergy, you may need to avoid nutmeg since it’s technically from a seed.

Why is nutmeg so expensive?

Nutmeg is expensive due to its production process and low yield per tree. Nutmeg simply seems more expensive because it comes in a small form – a seed barely an inch long and half an inch across. A little nutmeg goes a long way, so a single seed can last you a whole year, depending on how often you cook with it.

Can nutmeg be taken daily?

But nutmeg is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in doses larger than amounts found in foods and for long periods of time. Long-term use of nutmeg in doses of 120 mg or more daily has been linked to hallucinations and other mental side effects.

Does nutmeg have any medicinal properties?

Aside from its many culinary uses, nutmeg contains powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds that act as antioxidants. These may improve mood, blood sugar control, and heart health, though more research is needed on these effects in humans.