The Fall season is a time when mental health is particularly at risk for imbalance. Due to the unsettled nature of the environment that Fall brings, it can lead to aggravation of the nervous system. One of the ways this aggravation can manifest is as a headache or migraine. Fall is also a time when insomnia plagues many.
There are several reasons one could struggle with these ailments, and it will be unique for everyone but fortunately, we can employ natural remedies to help support ourselves while we get to the root of the problem. Nutmeg is one of those allies we can look to for these issues.
I grew up loving the unique taste and aroma of nutmeg. Found in many delicious tummy-warming homebaked goods, nutmeg plays a shining role during the cooler seasons. Little did I know back then that Nutmeg has been long revered as a prized spice in Ayurveda for all of its medicinal properties.
How Nutmeg can help support those with Fall imbalances
Nutmeg helps provide grounding, which is a key aspect of staying balanced during the Fall. It is a nervine as it supports and nourishes the nervous system. It also has neuroprotective qualities as it stimulates brain activity and helps slow cognitive decline. The way it does this is with the 2 essential oils found in this lovely brown seed, called myristicin and macelignan.
Please note myristicin is essentially an insecticide so it can be toxic in larger amounts therefore it is very important to not ingest more than ⅛ - ¼ tsp a day.
We all need adequate sleep to be well, and luckily, nutmeg is also considered a sedative. It contains magnesium, which helps promote relaxation and sleep, and is packed with several other minerals like manganese, copper, and B6. It is also rich with several antioxidants giving it an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the relaxation effect, nutmeg is also considered a tonic for the adrenals which means it is an adaptogen, whereby the plants intuitively know what your body needs at the time helping our body balance out cortisol levels, the stress hormone. This also lends itself to work as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety.
Consumed in appropriate small doses, nutmeg has carminative properties meaning it can aid in reducing flatulence and indigestion, which are common issues during Fall. Nutmeg is also a digestive aid that has been shown to help with weight loss due to its detoxicant properties, meaning it helps burn toxins and it helps increase digestive enzymes that improve metabolism.
As if all of that wasn’t enough for this warming little superstar, nutmeg’s antioxidants also help relieve arthritis and joint pain giving it an analgesic effect.
If you’d like to take advantage of all these benefits and incorporate nutmeg into your regimen, here is a simple remedy that you can use as a nightcap to help lull yourself to sleep.
Nutmeg Nighttime Tonic
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
½ tsp ground nutmeg
If using a plant milk, 1 -2 tsp of ghee or coconut oil
Directions:
In a small pot, bring the milk to a boil over medium-high heat.
Immediately after boiling, remove from heat and stir in nutmeg and ghee.
Pour into a cup and drink warm.
For more Fall remedies, check out my blog here!
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