Dd You Know…that nutmeg oil is a powerful natural pain reliever?
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a spice we commonly associate with the winter holidays, not a medicinal remedy we think of for pain and other health conditions. It might be time for that to change. That’s because nutmeg, especially in the concentrated form of nutmeg oil, has a long history of use in natural medicine, and is believed to be a substance that is both sedating and stimulating, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and bactericidal.
Nutmeg oil is thought to have the positive effects against…
- Pain
- Stress
- Menstrual cramps
- Heart disorder
- Indigestion
- Blood pressure problems
- Cough
- Bad breath
Nutmeg is a tropical fruit tree that grows up to 70 feet tall. When dried, the fruit of this tree produces nutmeg (which is technically a seed) and mace (the covering of the seed). Nutmeg oil is extracted from the nutmeg seed. |
A Few Health Benefits of Nutmeg Oil
Pain: Nutmeg oil has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of muscular and joint pain as well as abdominal pain and inflammation. Because nutmeg oil is also anti-inflammatory, it can also be massaged into the skin to help soothe arthritis pain and reduce swelling of the joints.
Menstrual Cramps: Applied externally, nutmeg oil may bring relief from menstrual cramps along with other discomforts related to menstruation.
Blood Circulation: When massaged into the skin with a carrier oil, nutmeg oil is believed to boost circulation. It is also antibacterial, and thus may have benefits for overall skin health.
Brain tonic: Used sparingly in the diffuser or in bath water, nutmeg oil may relieve mental exhaustion and stress, improves the quality of dreams, and decrease anxiety as well as depression. Nutmeg oil also enhances concentration and boosts mental efficiency. In ancient Greece and Rome, nutmeg was highly sought after for its brain benefits despite that it was rare and expensive.
Heart Health: Nutmeg oil is believed to stimulate the cardiovascular system and act as a heart tonic.
Bad Breath: A drop or two of nutmeg oil can act powerfully against bad breath, while its antiseptic properties may bring relief for toothaches and sore gums.
| CAUTION: As with all essential oils, nutmeg oil is highly concentrated and experts advise that it should never be used undiluted or internally without the supervision of a health professional. For external use, experts recommend mixing nutmeg oil with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil (expert when using in a diffuser). Experts also advise checking for skin sensitivities to essential oils by a drop of diluted oil to a small area and watching carefully for any reactions.
|
