Do you often find yourself asking for that cure-all ingredient for daily sicknesses? What if that ingredient could also be used to create mouthwatering culinary dishes? That would be great, wouldn’t it? Well, look no further than the ever-amazing mace, a spice that acts as both a delicious addition to meals and purveyor of health benefits. Read on to learn more!
What is Mace?
Mace is a spice found in the aril surrounding the seed of the nutmeg plant, scientifically known as Myristica fragrans. As its common name hints, the plants bears nutmeg kernels, also used to create the eponymous spice particularly popular in Asian countries such as India.
After being separated from the nutmeg kernel, mace is flattened out and allowed to dry for about 10-14 days. During this period, the aril often transitions from its original vibrant red to a more pale colour. Once dried, mace can be utilized either in its original form or ground up, depending on its expected use.
Nutrition Facts of Mace
The nutritional value of mace is actually very impressive, which may explain why it is a very popular spice around the world. Mace contains ample amounts of vitamins A, B and C, as well as dietary fiber, manganese, iron, copper, calcium, iron and other minerals. It also has concentrated amounts of volatile antioxidants and acids such as eugenol, cineole, pinene, linalool, carotenoids and myristicin. All of this, combined with small amounts of fat, means mace delivers many health benefits when used responsibly.
Health Benefits of Mace
The following are some of the most amazing health benefits of mace:
Helps eliminate stress: Mace may effectively eliminate tension as well as anxiety, making you feel calm and more peaceful. The spice also is beneficial in relieving any mental exhaustion.
Helps boost blood circulation: This is one mace’s best health benefits of mace, attributed to the sheer amount of vitamins and minerals present in the spice. Good blood circulation helps keep skin and hair healthy.
Helps reduce inflammation: Mace is effective in reducing inflammation throughout the body. For example, it reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal system, which improves digestive function. It can also help ease more chronic inflammation linked to more serious illnesses.
Helps maintain the nervous system: Mace is commonly used as a tonic for the nerves, helping lower stress hormone levels and eliminating anxiety. However, it’s important to note that you can only achieve this by consuming the spice regularly.
Helps relieve pain: Applying mace topically helps sooth inflammation and eliminate pain, all while healing the wound from various infections.
Helps boost the immunity: Since it has high levels of vitamins A and C, mace is beneficial in boosting immunity to protect against various foreign pathogens and harmful infections.
Helps prevent cancer: Through its many antioxidants and other active ingredients, mace is effective in neutralizing free radicals and lowering the risk of cellular mutation (i.e.: cancer).
Culinary Uses of Mace
Some say that mace is a good addition to any dish, and they’re not wrong. Its subtle flavor makes it more ideal for baked goods, fish, vegetables and meat dishes, while the slight sweetness also helps it transform ordinary curries, stew and other savory sauces. Some people also use it to preserve foods, and it is a favorite ingredient when it comes to making pickles.
Adding it to your dishes can not only make them more delicious, but also raise their health benefits.
Medicinal Uses of Mace
Mace is a unique spice. When used consumed for internal use, it can help treat various gastrointestinal conditions, but be careful you do not eat excessive amounts our you may experience psychoactive effects similar to those felt when eating excessive amounts of its sister spice, nutmeg. It can also be used externally (topically), most commonly combined with water or carrier oil make a paste that treat wounds, pains, aches and various inflammatory illnesses.
