While researching for the perfect dark season evening drink I realised I never talked about nutmeg! And I do know many of us use it in their baking starting autumn.

Spice derived from the seed (not nut despite the name) of Myristica fragrans.
Best to consume in moderation due to its content of myristicin, a psychoactive compound that can cause adverse side effects when consumed in high doses.

Benefits of max 1,5 tsp every now and then:

• Relieves pain and inflammation
• Boosts brain health
• Improves sleep
• Aids digestion
• Improves heart health

Probably one of the best benefits of nutmeg has to do with its powers to decrease pain especially when due to arthritis.

• This has been studied on animals and concludes that nutmeg can indeed reduce joint pain and swelling PMID: 27121041.
• Also the study PMID: 2487032 found that nutmeg is an effective anti inflammatory.
• Research has shown that compounds in nutmeg are able to alter neurotransmitters in the hippocampus (region of the brain associated with memory) and concluded in PMC5634759 study that it can be an effective preventive treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Many studies have looked into the sleep-inducing properties of nutmeg and concluded on longer sleeps, enhanced mood, decreased weakness while decreasing insomnia.
• A powerful tool that protects against leaky gut, also providing a healing effect against stomach ulcers PMC5222521.
• There’s animal research also proving that some compounds in nutmeg level cholesterol and decreases risk of coronary disease 🤍 by decreasing total, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

DO NOT CONSUME OVER 1,5 teaspoons IN ONE SITTING.

While there are clearly amazing benefits, there are also toxicity issues translated into seizures, agitation, hallucinations, increased heart rate, etc.