April 26, 2023
The worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to. Insomnia is the most frequent sleep disorder worldwide and is a prominent risk factor for mental and physical health deterioration. The clinical application of common pharmacological treatments for insomnia is far from satisfactory due to their various adverse effects. These classic hypnotics can generally alleviate the symptoms of insomnia, but their side effects and adverse reactions, such as cognitive and memory impairment, headache, and withdrawal greatly limit their application. In recent years, drugs developed from natural herbs have become.
Nutmeg is one of our most powerful herbal sedatives. It possesses potent medicinal properties that can help calm the nerve and release serotonin which induces sleep. This Indian spice also contains trimyristin, a natural chemical that helps in inducing sleep, relaxing our tired muscles and nerves, and set in a sense of calm. Nutmeg is especially useful for people who tend to awaken too early or in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back to sleep. Using nutmeg for insomnia can help to reset sleep patterns. However, there are usually other underlying reasons for the insomnia that also need to be addressed.
A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg powder in a glass of warm milk before bedtime is a common natural remedy recommended to help treat insomnia and promote better sleep. Several studies have focused on the insomnia-busting properties of this spice and demonstrated that it could be an effective remedy to help support better sleep. In one study, taking a capsule containing nutmeg for four weeks was found to improve symptoms of insomnia while also enhancing mood and decreasing weakness.
However, when using nutmeg for serious insomnia, it’s used in larger amounts and in a specific way. Nutmeg takes 2–6 hours to go into effect, so it has to be taken hours before bedtime. The sedative effects of nutmeg last for 8 hours, so the effects need to go into place 8 hours before a person needs to be awake. If someone took nutmeg at 10 p.m., then its effects could last well into the morning hours.
The amount taken is anywhere from 1 to 10 grams. Because nutmeg can create unwanted effects at larger dosages, it’s important to start low and slowly increase the amount. Using nutmeg for insomnia can help to reset sleep patterns. However, there are usually other underlying reasons for the insomnia that also need to be addressed.
How We Can Use Nutmeg to Have a Good Sleep
- Drink a glass full of milk with a dash of nutmeg
- Mix one pinch of nutmeg powder and one spoon of honey. Have this mixture for at least 15 minutes before going to bed.
- Crush a nutmeg fruit and put it in a bowl of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils, turn off the flame and strain the liquid. Consume the tea after dinner. This can help us relax, unwind and repair our body for a restful sleep.
Risks and Side Effects
Although nutmeg is perfectly safe when used in normal amounts as part of a healthy diet, overdoing it can actually end up doing more harm than good when it comes to your health. This is because it contains a specific compound known as myristicin, which may possess psychoactive properties. Although this spice contains the highest concentration of myristicin, it’s also found in many other plant sources, including dill and parsley.
It’s typically recommended to keep consumption to less than 10 grams per sitting. That translates to around 1.5 tablespoons of ground nutmeg. Consuming amounts higher than this can cause toxicity. What are the side effects of excessive nutmeg? A nutmeg “high” or toxicity can cause symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, seizures, pain, hallucinations and changes in mood or behavior.