Most of us know nutmeg as very fragrant spice without which it is absolutely impossible to imagine some authentic culinary dishes. But here of how this plant looks and what properties, except a bright smell, has, not everyone knows.
Short description and area
Nutmegs grow on trees with the name of the same name which also call muskatnik. The Latin name of a tree — Myrīstica.
Today the miristika grows almost in all territories with tropical climate, including in Africa and South America, however commercially it is parted first of all in the territory of the former colonies of Great Britain — the islands of Mauritius, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Grenada, New Guinea, the Malay Archipelago and also in India.
Tree rather low, its average height of 9-12 m, and leaves in a form, arrangement and structure are similar to leaves of a lemon tree. Oboyepoly flowers, yellow color.
Fruit — stone fruit, of the size of a small apricot. When it completely ripens, its thin skin bursts the same as walnut fruits familiar to us.
Whether you know? The history of acquaintance of the person to a muskatnik is rather interesting. This tree initially grew only in the tiny region of Indonesia (Islands of spices, or the Moluccas, mainly island of Runes) from where the Arab merchants brought its fragrant fruits to Europe and sold for big money. At the beginning of XV_ the centuries reached the territory of Indonesia the Portuguese conquistadors, and from this point not less than for the whole century almost completely took the market of tropical spices. Subsequently the monopoly of Portuguese was destroyed by Dutches, but the speech still went only about supply of spice, but not about attempts to cultivate a plant. At last, in the XVIII century, a muskatnik learned to grow up in other countries (first of all, of course, tropical). The main merit in it belongs to France and England which had in those days colonies worldwide, and … to birds, moving plant seeds in the stomachs from the island to the island.
Also the technology of preparation of fruits is very similar: at first they are dried, then cleaned from an outer sheath and again dried until nut becomes dark brown. All process can take three months and even longer. The peeled nut can be oval or round, its sizes are comparable to already mentioned walnut (2-3 cm in length and are a little less in width).
In fruits of a muscat tree only seeds and prisemyannik are used, and here the peel goes to waste. However, rather poor natives of tropical islands perfectly use this peel in food, preparing on its basis various desserts, sauces and even fragrant drinks.
Whether you know? Average life expectancy of a muskatnik — hundred years. For a tree it is not much, especially if to consider that the fructification period at it is about 40% of all life cycle. Nevertheless, it is counted that from one plant during the season sometimes it is possible to collect up to ten thousand nuts!
Caloric content and chemical composition
Caloric content at fruits of a muskatnik is lower, than at other nuts: in 100 g of a product about 525 kcal contain (for comparison: peanut on 100 g contains 551 kcal, in almonds of 575 kcal, and in walnut — all 700 kcal).
Study the list of the most low-calorie products.
Power value of a product (proteins/fats/carbohydrates): 5.8/36.3/28.5. A little more than 20% of nutmeg are made by cellulose, within 6% water and 2-2.5% — ashes. In fruits of a plant there are essential oils, pectins, starch, pigments.
Nutmeg is very vitamin-rich. There is a beta carotene (vitamin A), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and also at least six elements from group B vitamins: it is well-cared, thiamine, Riboflavinum, niatsin, a pyridoxine and folic acid.
Important! At nutmeg there are such substances as miristitsin, elemitsin and safrol. These psychoactive substances, having got to an organism, form amphetamine derivatives, in particular, sifrol it is transformed in metilendioksimetamfetamin, to common people — ecstasy.
From mineral substances contain in fruits (on decreasing): potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium and also, in small doses — iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, copper, a pine forest, molybdenum, iodine, cobalt, sulfur, zinc, chlorine, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, nickel and others.
Than nutmeg is useful
Even the glance on structure of nutmeg is enough to draw a conclusion on its useful properties. The vitamins and minerals which are contained in its fruits are simply necessary for a human body for normal work.
Natives long since used fruits of this tropical tree as natural anesthesia at muscle and joints pains, tooth and headaches, gastric gripes. Europeans used spice also at nervous breakdowns and a sleep disorder. Besides the analgetic and calming properties the fruits of a muskatnik possess the toning, anti-inflammatory and spazmolitichesky action. Biologically active agents which are contained in fruits of a muscat tree promote strengthening of the immune system, well influence heart, stimulate blood circulation, clean kidneys and a liver, improve work of digestive tract and bring hazardous substances out of an organism. Nutmeg is the checked aphrodisiac, in small doses he improves mood, raises sexual desire and at the same time allows to solve a problem of premature ejaculation at men.
Important! Nutmeg, despite numerous useful properties, should be used in strictly dosed quantities: the maximum daily dose — one fruit, and not on an empty stomach, but only as a part of any given dish.
As spice the seeds of a muskatnik not just improve taste of culinary dishes and do it to brighter, but also stimulate appetite, so, turn meal into the real holiday.
Application
First of all it is necessary to know that from fruits of a muskatnik receive two products: spice, known as nutmeg, and mace, it is the muscat color which is also used as spice, but having a bit different taste. Besides, from fruits of a muscat tree extract essential oil which is also very widely applied both in cookery, and in cosmetology, perfumery, an aromatherapy and traditional medicine.
Learn how to apply walnut oil, jojoba, peanut and almond oils.
In cookery
As spice nutmeg is not just the taste amplifier, but in certain cases plays a role of independent ingredient in a dish. For example, if the real Spanish paella cannot be prepared without saffron, then nutmeg is an irreplaceable component of the well-known French sauce béchamel which, in turn, is included in such world-famous national dishes as the Greek musaka and the Italian lasagna.
Important! Nutmeg has very saturated aroma therefore it is necessary to add it to dishes in very small quantities! In order that spice revealed as it is possible better, it should be put at the very end of preparation. The exception makes only dough where nutmeg is put at a batch stage.
It is interesting that the largest fruits of a muskatnik are suitable for use as spice better, and the round shape is more preferable, than more often meeting oval.
Usually nutmeg is added to the difficult dishes combining vegetable group with fish or meat (ragout, roast, baked puddings, etc.). But also the usual baked potatoes flavored with a pinch of fragrant spice will play new paints too. At preparation of preparations from fish and meat (preservation, smoking) nutmeg is very often added to the main product as spice. Use of fruits of a muskatnik in pastries and desserts — the independent direction in cookery. This seasoning perfectly sounds in sweet dishes, for example, in cream, a pudding, pies (both with a sweet stuffing, and with meat, fish, cheese or onions), cookies and even in fruit compotes and various cocktails (for example, in England spice is added to beer and wine and also just strew with it a citrus for giving to them of more saturated taste and aroma).
Also nutmeg is very often added to various pasta and if Dutches just put it in spaghetti, then creative Italians use spice at preparation of such masterpieces of cookery as ravioli (something similar to our vareniki and pelmeni) or cannelloni (the big macaroni tubules filled with meat or fish sauce).
In Asian cuisine nutmeg — in general national seasoning. The Indian and Arab dishes practically do not do without it. It is also necessary to note that we usually use this spice in a ground look, buying it in bags. However, as well as black pepper, muscat nut is much more fragrant in a fresh ground look. Therefore the cooks respecting themselves get fruits of a muskatnik entirely and their tinder on special graters directly in the course of preparation of the culinary masterpieces.
In medicine
Despite the numerous useful properties, nutmeg, strictly speaking, it is not considered to be a herb, and in cookery its fruits are used much more widely, than in medicine. Nevertheless both the official pharmacology, and folk healers find application for fruits of this tropical tree.
Whether you know? Once British used nutmeg seeds for termination of pregnancy, and in the middle of the last century in the USA from them manufactured the powder having pronounced the narcotic and hallucinogenic properties similar in action to marijuana.
The medical science sometimes uses fruits of a muskatnik for treatment of nervous breakdowns, paralysis, staphylococcal infections, stomach ulcers, diarrheas, osteochondroses, arthritises, miozit, phlebitis, a varicosity, improvement of blood circulation and appetite, stimulation of work of digestive tract, increase in potency, decrease in a meteorizm. Nevertheless this product can be not only medicine, but also poison therefore it is necessary to use it extremely carefully. For example, in small doses nutmeg calms nervous system, improves memory and helps to cope with insomnia, and in big has opposite effect — excites and causes hallucinations.
East healers noticed properties of a tropical plant to restore cartilaginous tissue and to improve structure of hair. Besides, it was used for treatment of tuberculosis and even cancer. The idea was that fruits of a plant need to be accepted in microscopic doses, but very long to achieve system action on an organism.
In cosmetology and perfumery
In this area, essential oil of nutmeg is generally used. With addition of this ingredient in various cosmetology masks, creams and lotions the additional effect thanks to ability of a product is reached:
- to promote cell regenerations that leads to the general rejuvenation of skin;
- to improve blood circulation in epidermis tissues;
- to remove puffiness and various inflammatory manifestations on skin;
- to kill pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic mushrooms (fight against dandruff);
- to keep hair color, to prevent their loss, to do them soft and brilliant.
In addition essential oil of nutmeg possess the warming action thanks to what it is often added to various oils for massages.
At last, the note of nutmeg is well-known and loved by many both in men's, and in female perfumery products.
We advise to learn whether it is worth using nuts and what benefit for an organism bring cashew and walnuts.
National recipes
We already mentioned that independent use of nutmeg for treatment has to be carried out with extra care, however at observance of a dosage the tropical fruits really help to cope with the most various painful states.
At cold, flu and cough
We very often give to the chilled child warm milk with honey or tea with raspberry. Sometimes we use the same folk remedies also. For improvement of effect it is enough to add a nutmeg pinch to the drink made in the usual way. It will help to remove an ache in a body and to facilitate the general state, as we know, the organism overcomes viral infections itself, our task is to cope whenever possible with unpleasant symptoms, without preventing the immune system to struggle with a virus.
At head pains
Traditional medicine suggests to struggle with severe headaches by means of the compress prepared on the basis of nutmeg. Ground seeds mix up with milk so that paste turned out. Ready mix is put on a forehead and lie without the movement at least half an hour.
At insomnia
If you have problems with a dream, drink a glass of warm milk for the night, previously having added to it a nutmeg pinch. If there is desire, it is possible to put a honey spoon also. This medicine helps not only at cold, but also at common insomnia.
Learn why the most useful nuts consider walnut.
By the way, similar drink is recommended to give even to children if they badly fall asleep and are capricious, and some healers claim that it will not damage even the smallest, for example, when at the kid teeth begin to be cut. If to reduce a spice dose, but to give it not only for the night, but also in the morning, in addition to the calming effect it is also possible to cope with lack of appetite at the kid that too often causes great concern in his parents.
At problems with digestive tract
The property of nutmeg to improve work of a stomach and intestines causes its use at nausea, diarrhea and a meteorizm. For preparation of medicinal mix it is necessary to take a half-glass of usual yogurt, to part it with the same amount of water, to mix with grated ginger and fresh ground nutmeg (on a third of a teaspoon) and at once to drink. If you do not love yogurt, add a little spice to freshly cooked banana puree — for intestines it will be the real holiday.
At a varicosity
For treatment of a varicosity it is necessary to fill in with a glass of just begun to boil water of 20 g of nutmeg, to add 100 g of honey to mix, everything carefully to mix, allow to cool down. The prepared medicine is accepted before food three times a day on one tablespoon.
Honey is often used in traditional medicine, also this product helps to fight against excess weight.
For increase in potency
For increase in male power it is not obligatory to accept any special broths and nutmeg tinctures. It is rather simple to add more often this spice to food, but to do it regularly that biologically active agents which are its part collected in an organism. In day the man needs to eat about a third of a teaspoon of fruits of a muskatnik, but it is impossible to exceed this dose at all.
Whether you know? The experiments made on rats showed that nutmeg increases potency not so effectively as well-known Viagra, but nevertheless its action is 3-6 times stronger, than at a carnation which is also used in similar cases.
If the taste and a smell of nutmeg categorically is not pleasant to the man, then not to turn food into torture, it is better to use spice as medicine nevertheless: to mix the put dose with water and to drink off.
Contraindications and harm
Unlike many well-known herbs, nutmeg possesses quite certain and obvious contraindications. It is possible to get poisoned with this plant seriously, its overdose results in such side effects as:
- irritation of a mucous membrane of a stomach and intestines;
- nausea and vomiting;
- spasms;
- severe headaches;
- tachycardia;
- sinus arrhythmia, rapid breathing;
- dehydration, dryness in a mouth;
- memory blackouts;
- hemorrhages in an eye;
- deterioration in sight;
- increase or, on the contrary, lowering of arterial pressure;
- violation of work of a liver and pancreas;
- uneasiness, hyper excitability or, on the contrary, depression;
- decrease in a pain threshold;
- hallucinations.
Important! It is considered that the hallucinogenic effect of nutmeg is shown already at the use of two fruits. Data that in 1576 the pregnant woman, having used dozen tropical fruits, completely lost touch with reality remained. Besides, cases of a lethal outcome to which the overdose of nutmeg led are known to science.
Symptoms of overdose have an effect approximately in four hours after reception of a product, and can remain within three days though on average pass already in a day or two.
Direct contraindication for consumption of spice is pregnancy (because of risk of an abortion). For children nutmeg is not considered contraindicated, however in view of very serious consequences to which the overdose can lead, nevertheless it is necessary to think well before putting the kid at such risk. Summing up the result, it is necessary to tell that the European part of the population, certainly, benefited from the fact that it got acquainted with fruits of such tropical tree as nutmeg. Today without this spice it is impossible to imagine cookery, in other areas of our life (medicine, cosmetology, perfumery) the fruits of this plant are also applied, though is not so wide. Hallucinogenic properties of nutmeg do its fruits especially attractive to a certain part of the population that, unfortunately, sometimes leads to tragedies. But in skillful hands this spice not only enriches taste of various dishes and drinks, but also brings undoubted benefit to our organism.