Health benefits of African nutmeg

It is popularly called African Nutmeg and Calabash nutmeg. It is a tropical tree of the family Annonaceae and an alternative to its more commonly known cousin, nutmeg. The tree grows naturally in evergreen forests in countries such as Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola, Uganda and west Kenya. It is variously known as Ikposa (Benin), Ehuru (Igbo), Ariwo/Ariyo in (Yoruba), and Kposa (Ilaje).

For medicinal purposes, they are used as stimulants, diuretics, stomachic, for headaches, sores, and also as an insect repellent. When grounded to powder, the kernel is used to prepare soup as a stimulant to relieve constipation and control uterine haemorrhage in women immediately after childbirth. Following roasting and grinding, the seeds are rubbed on the skin for skin diseases, thus suggesting that the seeds of the M. myristica plant could be germicidal or antiseptic. Different parts of this plant such as bark and flowers contain important minerals and are a good source of protein, vitamins, β-carotene, amino acids, and various phenolics. The stem bark is used in the treatments of hemorrhoids, stomach aches, fever pains and eye diseases. The plant has been proven to have anti-sickling properties, relieve constipation, has anti-inflammatory properties, serves as an insect repellant, used for treating cough, improves brain function, it’s a good laxative, helps in fat burning, and relieves common cold and flu. It is a great sex stimulant and may greatly improve libido in both men and women.

Phytochemical screening carried out on M. myristica extract revealed the presence of Tannin, saponin, flavonoid, steroid, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside, alkaloid and phenol. They contain bioactive substances that exhibit health-beneficial effects including stimulation of the cardiac and circulatory system, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities. African nutmeg is rich in potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and vital B-complex vitamins, including vitamin C, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A and many flavonoid antioxidants that are essential for optimum health. Studies have shown that seeds have high oil and protein content. The essential oil that can be obtained from the leaves contains β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene. The major compounds found in the essential oil from the seeds are α-phellandrene, α-pinene, myrcene, limonene and pinene. The essential oil has anti-depressant effects, can be used as a linolenic-rich salad oil, edible fat or margarine and it is used in pharmaceutical and dental preparations. The essential oil effects on the cardiovascular system were studied and the result shows the essential oil induced a hypotensive effect.

Roasting is considered to cause easy seed coat rupture (Ehuru comes in a hard shell that contains the seed), it also gives it a stronger aroma. You can roast it in a pan or put it directly inside a fire. Crack the shells open and remove the seeds. You can blend the seeds with your pepper to give your stew a good aroma. You can also brush it on a grater like you do to nutmeg to get it into powdered form. It is an aromatic cooking spice that complements a variety of dishes such as pepper soup, abacha, nkwobi, groundnut soup, black soup, ofe Akwu, ugba/ukpaka, ose-oji, egusi, ogbono, banga soup, garden egg sauce, goat meat stew, isi ewu and so on. If you do not want to roast, just break the shell and remove the seed.

Scientific studies

In a study titled, “African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica) lowers cholesterol and modulates lipid peroxidation in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic male wistar rats,’’ by Onyenibe et al, the results show that aqueous extracts of Monodora myristica could reverse liver toxicity induced by high cholesterol diets and exert a hypocholesterolemic effect.

In a study titled, “Antimicrobial evaluation of crude extracts, fractions and oil from monodora myristica seeds (Gaertn.) dunal,’’ by Obonga et al, the result compares favourably with the standard antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, the present findings support the ethnomedicinal uses of M. myristica seed as an antimicrobial agent.

In a study titled, “Evaluation of Nutritive potential and anti-oxidative properties of African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica),’’ by Ukachukwu et al, the result of the analysis of Monodora myristica showed it possessed strong anti-oxidant effects and as such can be used as a feed preservative.

In a study titled, “Sperm profile and testicular weight assessment of albino rats administered African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) and African Basil (Ocimum gratissimum),’’ by Okonko et al, findings of this study shows that M. myristica promotes male fertility, whereas O. gratissimum and the combination of both herbs could have anti-fertility effects.

In a study titled, “In vitro anti-inflammatory evaluation of African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) seeds,’’ by Akinwunmi et al, the result obtained in the present investigation indicates that the flavonoid-rich fraction of M. myristica could be a potential source of anti-inflammatory agent. This substantiates the role of M. myristica seeds as a natural source of anti-inflammatory agent.

In a study titled, “Behavioural and biochemical indications of the antidepressant activities of essential oils from Monodora myristica (Gaertn) seed and Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) fruit in rats.’’ by Ekeanyanwu et al, the study revealed that essential oils from both seeds relieved depression-like states in the rats used in the study.

In a study titled, “Chemical composition and hypotensive effects of essential oil of Monodora myristica Gaertn,’’ by Koudou et al, the result shows the oil has anti-hypertensive activity.

In a review titled, “Some common West African spices with antidiabetic potential: A review,’’ by Okaiyeto et al, Monodora myristica made the list of some of these spices.

Who would believe that our own calabash nutmeg has all these benefits? What are you waiting for? You can buy it from people who sell pepper soup spices in the market. Try to get some and start adding to your meals.