Nutmeg – The Sedative One
November 10, 2022 | Written by Leticia Padmasri
Did you know that the nutmeg tree gives us two spices in one fruit?
The aromatic spice nutmeg grows on a fruit tree originally from Indonesia’s Spice Islands but now it is widely cultivated in tropical areas. When the fruit is ripe and we split it open, it reveals two spices. The pit of the fruit is the nutmeg and the red membrane around the seed is mace.
In this blog, we will look at nutmeg. In Ayurveda, this spice is esteemed for its absorption powers, carminative effects, and relaxing properties.
Let’s take a look at its energetics and actions on the body and mind and learn how to benefit from it in our daily lives.
Nutmeg & Ayurveda
Nutmeg's qualities are light and penetrating. Its taste (rasa) is pungent and astringent. Its post-digestive effect (vipaka) is also pungent and its thermal action (virya) in the body is warming.
Nutmeg and the doshas: based on these energetics, nutmeg decreases vata and kapha but it increases pitta.
So, it is best to avoid nutmeg in high quantities and in the summertime if you are dealing with high pitta. But this is a spice that you will be inclined to use in the fall and winter months anyway as we are naturally more attracted to its warming nature. Let’s look at the health benefits of nutmeg.
“… nutmeg is the most sedative spice! ”
Digestion:
Just like the majority of spices, it helps with digestion. Nutmeg is especially good for diarrhea and malabsorption. In fact, it is one of the best spices for improving the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. It stimulates apetite and is helpful when experiencing gas, bloating, and abdominal spasms. It makes a great tea with ginger and cardamom to work with these digestion issues.
Reproductive tissue health:
Nutmeg also has a great impact on the reproductive tissue. It is used for male and female infertility, male impotence, and disruptions in menstruation.
Agitation in the mind:
When we are experiencing agitation, lack of concentration and insomnia (all due to high vata) nutmeg is the most sedative spice! It has a very soothing action in the nervous system; however, its nature is tamasic. So too much of it can make your mind dull. It is best to use it for a short period and in small doses.
Another caution here is that its astringent nature can dry your stools causing constipation. If you suffer from constipation then, use very tiny amounts to make sure that it is not causing you more dryness.
So, how can you get more nutmeg in your life?
Nutmeg can be purchased as a powder, or you can get the seed and grate it yourself. I highly recommend the latter. We get the most prana and medicinal effects this way, plus we infuse our nasal sensorial receptors with its blissful aromatic smells. Involving our senses is a great part of turning food into medicine and aiding digestion!
As with all the other spices, using nutmeg in our food is a great way to benefit from it. Use small amounts and enjoy its delicious taste and healing actions.
A classic aromatic spice blend containing nutmeg is garam masala. It is great on baked apples and drizzled with ghee over popcorn.
In our kitchen, nutmeg is used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Nutmeg makes an appearance in
our dals,
rice (I love to add a pinch to make it more flavorful),
muffins,
chai tea,
and in our favorite night drink! Recipe below.
Night Drink To Promote Great Sleep
½ cup of whole milk or almond milk
½ cup filtered water
2 lightly crushed cardamom pods
1-inch cinnamon stick
¼ tsp fresh grated nutmeg
Combine all the ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm.
***If you are experiencing acidic digestion, substitute the cinnamon with 1 tsp of fennel seeds. For kapha types, add 1/2 tsp dry ginger.