Nutmeg herb and spice – Characteristics, Benefits and Advantages
Nutmeg is the dried seed of the nutmeg tree fruit which belongs to the genus Myristica and looks similar to a walnut. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices, nutmeg and mace.
The herb is widely cultivated in West Indies, Indonesia, India and French Guyana. It contains many natural substances such as volatile oil, pectin, pectosans, starch and furfural.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NUTMEG HERB
- The nutmeg tree grows very tall and may reach up to seventy feet.
- The fruit when dried gives nutmeg which is the seed and mace which is the covering.
- The fruit splits in half to reveal a net-like, bright red covering over the seed.
- Nutmeg has sweet, spicy and nutty taste, is an essential constituent used in most of the Indian kitchens.
- Nutmeg has a very distinct odor.
- Nutmeg is often used as a food flavoring for baked goods, egg nog, puddings, meats, sausages, sauces, and vegetables.
Therapeutic properties of nutmeg are stimulant, sedative, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and bactericide.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF NUTMEG AND NUTMEG OIL
- Nutmeg oil acts like a stimulator for brain.
- Nutmeg oil reduces stress and mental strain.
- Nutmeg is also good for curing anxiety and depression.
- Nutmeg increases blood circulation.
- Nutmeg is an excellent antidote for cardiovascular systems.
- Nutmeg helps detoxify liver and kidneys.
- Nutmeg oil is added to cough syrups.
- Nutmeg is used to relieve rheumatic pain, muscle pain, neuralgia, sciatica, menstrual cramp, and toothache as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Nutmeg powder heated on the pan with sesame oil until brown is used for this.
- Nutmeg helps in getting rid of diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion and hiccups as well as it improves appetite.
- Nutmeg is very effectual medicine for insomnia.
- Nutmeg oil helps in removing bad breath.
- Nutmeg oil is is used for relief from cramps during menstruation and often provides relief from menstrual irregularities.
PRECAUTION:
- Nutmeg should be used in moderation—a pinch or two is considered safe. It is not recommended for people with psychiatric disorders because of its psychoactive properties.
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid the use of nutmeg.
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Categories: benefits, constipation, Deficiency, health, Healthy, Heart, Herb, Nutmeg Tags: Advantages, Anxiety, benefits, Brain, Characteristics, Depression Liver, digestion, Food, Fruit, Heart, Herb, Kidneys, Kitchen, Mace, Nutmeg, Odor, oil, pain, Seed, Source, Spice, Tree
Premature Greying of Hair – Causes, Symptoms, Remedies and Diet
With age, the hair starts getting white or grey. The early greying of hair is called premature greying of hair. The hair is composed of some kind of cells known as epidermis. Hair grows from hair follicles. Sebum, secreted from sebaceous gland is the source of nutrition, lust-re, and blackness of the hair. The hair cannot be fed externally, it must come to it from the mainstream.
CAUSES FOR PREMATURE GREYING OF HAIR
- Faulty diet.
- Stress and mental tension.
- Lack of vitamin B, iron, copper, and iodine.
- Worries and stress interferes with the supply of vital nutrition necessary for the health of hair.
- Scalp not clean.
- Washing hair in hot water.
- Drying it with hairdryer.
- Use of hair dyes.
- Heredity.
- Some kind of illness.
- Vitiligo is a condition in which your skin loses melanocytes, resulting in very light patches of skin and possibly premature gray hair.
- Early menopause.
- Excessive intake of fried oily foods, spices, sour and acidic foods.
REMEDIES FOR PREMATURE GREYING OF HAIR
- Eat foods that are rich in protein like soya beans, eggs, sprouts.
- Rub Indian gooseberry (Amla) mixed in coconut oil into the scalp regularly.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin B, iron, copper and iodine.
- Application of the fresh juice of the leaves of amaranth vegetable helps the hair to retain its black color.
- Ridge gourd boiled in coconut oil is an effective remedy. Ribbed gourd pieces are dried and soaked in coconut oil and kept aside for three or four days. The oil is boiled till the solid is reduced to a blackened residue. This oil is massaged into the scalp.
- Curry leaves should be taken as it provides vitality and strength to hair roots.
- Drinking butter milk with 2 teaspoons each of yeast and wheat germ will prevent and cure premature greying of hair.
- Applying Fenugreek paste on the scalp an hour before taking bath once in a week.
- Massage your hairs with coconut oil and lemon juice everyday.
DIET FOR PREMATURE GREYING OF HAIR
Vitamin A Sources: dark green vegetables & yellow fruits such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and apricots.
Vitamin B Sources: fresh green leafy vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, cauliflower, cereals, liver, kidney, yogurt, yeast and wheat germ.
Zinc Sources: red meat, chicken & green vegetables.
Iron Sources: beef, dried apricots, red meat, parsley, eggs, wheat & sunflower seeds.
Copper Sources: sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, crabs and oysters, egg yolk & whole grains.
Iodine sources: banana, carrots and fish.