Health Benefits of Nutmeg and How it Gave Us New York

The exotic spice of nutmeg is so much more than the dark brown powder on your pudding, or a pungent addition to white pasta sauces.  This amazing spice has a long and turbulent history which began because of its many health benefits when used in traditional medicine. The Western science community is now confirming its benefits.

What is Nutmeg?

Nutmeg is the seed of the Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree, also known as the common nutmeg or fragrant nutmeg tree.  Originally, it was only found on certain islands in Indonesia but now it is grown commercially in ideal conditions around the world in places like the Caribbean and India.

While growing up nutmeg was always present in my home. As an essential culinary ingredient in Caribbean cuisine it is used in many dishes ranging from cakes to drinks.

Now I know about its significant  mood enhancing chemical properties, I wonder if the cakes and drinks laced with nutmeg helped to enhance the jovial celebrations enjoyed by the family.

Seed

The yellow seed pod is picked when the pod is open and the red mace ( the aril), covering the nutmeg pod, is showing. With nutmeg you get two spices in one as mace is also a popular spice. The red/orange mace (aril) is removed and dried, and the seed in the kernel is the nutmeg. The kernel is also dried and is ready when the nutmeg shrinks away from its outer shell, and you can hear it when shaken. The kernel is then smashed to free the nutmeg.

 This mace is not to be confused with the name used for self defence sprays.  Mace spray refers to a specific brand of pepper spray. The two are not related.

History of Health Benefits

The early popularity of nutmeg was driven by the belief that it could prevent the waves of many diseases, fuelled by unsanitary conditions in medieval times, which swept across Europe.  Europeans were introduced to it through Muslim traders which led to it becoming highly prized and sought after.  The nutmeg was believed to be beneficial in the prevention of the the bubonic plague. The Romans had used nutmeg as an incense.

Plague repellant

Looking at the literature of the time, it is hard to know which specific plague, as conditions in Europe at that time were less than hygienic, and a breeding ground for mass infections which were all referred to as plagues.

The locals would place pouches of nutmeg around their necks to ward off the plague.

Secret source

The source of the nutmeg was guarded by the Arab and Asian traders. This eventually led to dire consequences for the people who were the sole producers.  

Indonesia’s Banda Islands used to be the only place where you could obtain the nutmeg, and they still produce up to 500 tonnes of nutmeg today.

Early traders would never reveal the source of this expensive spice to Europeans. Eventually its source was discovered and the main players seeking control over the trade were the Dutch, British, Spanish and French. The resulting nutmeg wars has more twists and turns than a telenovela, with massive casualties which amount to genocide.

Exploitation and Extraction

The Sultan of Oman had control in 1493 of the Banda Islands. The Portuguese, thanks to Vasco de Gama were able to bring the Iberian peninsular into the spice trade. When the Spanish took control of Portugal they also controlled the trade in the region, and the Dutch were smoked. The Spanish tried to take Molacca in 1599.

In 1602, the Dutch established the The Dutch East India Trading Company, (known in Dutch as VOC), to share the risk by selling shares. The company was a phenomenal success. Only problem was that they had homicidal tendencies. They killed thousands of people to get the monopoly.

In 1621, a year the indigenous people of Banda will remember forever in the their collective mourning, all the Chiefs and chosen males on the island were killed as a warning to the population. When the killing ended there were only about 1,000 of the original inhabitants were left. It was death for anyone caught growing, or being any where near a nutmeg plant without permission.

The irony that a spice which brings such comfort to many was a catalyst for such sorrow is not lost. The lengths Europeans went to in monopolizing the trade in nutmeg shows how important it was on their radar, and how greed was a driving force for crimes against humanity.

Fast forward to 1667 – The British and Dutch had been duking it for years in an effort to control the nutmeg trade, they were both going nowhere fast and neither would accept defeat. Finally, in a save face move, it was decided via the Treaty of Breda that Dutch would get their wish and territory in the island of Run, Indonesia, and the British would keep the island, which they had taken anyway, of New Amsterdam. Yes, the settlement on the tip of Manhattan which became New York.

Traditional and Current Benefits

Alternative healing traditions, such as Chinese Traditional and Ayurvedic medicine,  have long valued the positive results they have found in using nutmeg.

The kernel contains a plethora of minerals and vitamins, such as manganese and the B vitamins,  which are essential to optimum health.

Aphrodisiac

Let’s start with a popular traditional use that scientists have been taking a close look at recently.  A study at the Aligarh Muslim University corroborated  the use of the ethanoic extract of nutmeg in the treatment of male sexual disorders. Nutmeg contains the compound “myristicin” which increases blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Antioxidant

When you hear the word antioxidant you know that it is good for the skin.  Nutmeg oil contains many antioxidants which can nourish the skin and return vitality to tissues and reduce the effects of minor skin disorders.

Indigestion Aid

Stomach problems, such as bloating or constipation are said to be alleviated by nutmeg due to the presence of phyto nutrients which help things flow properly in the gut.

Anti-inflammatory

Traditional users mix nutmeg oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or sesame oil to help reduce inflammation in the body.

Adaptogen

Nutmeg adapts to the body’s needs which makes it an adaptogen. This means that it takes clues from you own body, then helps you balance out on a cellular level, which explains it anti-depressant benefits.  For example, it can stimulate your brain via its aroma therapeutic qualities.  Now you know why a nutmeg scented candle soothes your nerves.

Antiseptic and Antimicrobial

Those who grew up with knowledge keepers of nutmeg know it is a remedy for toothache.  Using nutmeg oil on the gums can reduce toothache, and infections in and around the mouth because of its antibacterial properties.

The dark side of nutmeg

Like many plants with benefits, nutmeg does have a dark side which has to do with usage rather that the spice itself.

Remember, nutmeg is a seed and the container for the next generation. In the plant world this usually means the seed contains chemicals which protects it from predators such insects.

Caution 

Like anything else, too much of this spice can have unwanted effects.  In the case of nutmeg, Myristicin, its main component, is also the reason is it called the Mystic’s spice.  It stimulates the nervous system and is hallucinogenic if consumed in large quantities.  It can also cause brain damage, and in some cases death. 

Don’t even think about a joy trip with it.  Social media is full of stories of life changing events from deliberate excess consumption of nutmeg.

In a nutshell (pun intended)

Enjoy the all benefits of nutmeg.  If it was not worthy, it wouldn’t be such sought after and prized spice up to this day.

We need no more than a pinch of this powerful spice daily to make our food taste good, and to make us feel good too.

What has your experience been with this spice? Let me know in the comments. Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe to get more interesting posts sent directly to your mailbox.