Nutmeg Powder (Myristica Fragrans)

Nutmeg is a very aromatic spice. It is a tall deciduous tree with fruits that look similar to peaches. It is the highly aromatic seed that is used in Ayurveda. Nutmeg helps to calm the mind as well as the gut. The automatic principle helps to absorb nutrition and increase the flow of prana to the head and neck region. The quality of sleep improves as the mind goes into deep relaxation. Because of its bitter and astringent taste, Nutmeg also reduces nervousness in the gut it helps to absorb nutrients. Congestion and mucus are cleared by automatic and pungent properties of nutmeg.

Benefits include calmness of the mind, improve quality of Sleep, improved absorption of nutrients in the gut, opening the passages of air, relieving nervousness and help to cope up with stress

Suggested Use: 1/8 to 1/6 teaspoon in powder form, once or twice daily, or use as directed by your health practitioner.

Botanical Name – Myristica fragrans
Family – Myristicaceae
English Name – Nutmeg

Morphology –
Nutmegs are obtained from the evergreen nutmeg tree which is about 10-20 m high. Nutmegs are obtained from the nutmeg apple fruit produced by the tree. On ripening, the fruit splits to expose a red, fleshy net-like aril wrapped around a shell containing the nut. This nut is removed and dried to obtain nutmeg and the dried aril yields the spice mace having a similar flavor as nutmeg. Nutmegs are ovular in shape with a length of 2-3 cm and around 2 cm broad. It is brown-greyish brown in color with a strong aromatic odor and a bitter pungent taste.

Physical and chemical properties of Nutmeg –
Taste – Bitter, Pungent
Quality – Light, Strong
Potency – Hot
Post Digestive effect – Pungent

Bhavaprakasha Karpuradi Varga
जातीफलं रसे तिक्तं तीक्ष्णोष्णं रोचनं लघु |
कटुकं दीपनं ग्राहि स्वर्यं श्लेष्मानिलापहम् ||४८||
निहन्ति मुखवैरस्यं मलदौर्गन्ध्यकृष्णताः |
कृमिकासवमिश्वासशोषपीनसहृद्रुजः ||४९||