Most people are familiar with nutmeg as a common kitchen spice. However, few people realize that its benefits go far beyond making tasty treats. Nutmeg is also has potent benefits for health and beauty. Here are just a few of the things you can try it for.

Tooth Pain

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, it’s strongly advised that you see your dentist. However, you can’t always get to the dentist right away. In that case, you can temporarily control the pain by placing some nutmeg oil or powder on the affected tooth. Eugenol, a substance also found in cloves, will numb the area for a time. This can keep you more comfortable until you can make a dentist appointment.

Even Complexion

Are you looking for a natural, inexpensive way to enhance your complexion? If so, just combine honey and powdered nutmeg into a paste and rub it gently onto your skin. Within days, you’ll notice a clearer complexion and reduced appearance of acne scars. Furthermore, nutmeg contains powerful antiseptic properties that can help prevent additional breakouts caused by bacteria.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Clear skin isn’t the only thing nutmeg’s antiseptic properties are good for. It can also help prevent tooth decay through the same action. Eugenol is highly toxic to the harmful oral bacteria that eat away at tooth enamel, which is why it’s so often added to toothpastes. However, you can get the same effect just by sprinkling a little nutmeg powder onto your toothbrush during your regular brushing routine.

Digestive Aid

You’ve enjoyed a big meal of pizza with drinks and dessert, and now you’re bloated and it feels like your dinner is just sitting in your stomach. This happens to everyone occasionally, especially when overindulgence in unhealthy foods is involved. Fortunately, nutmeg offers an easy and delicious solution to these problems. The spice has been used for thousands of years as a digestive tonic to relieve gas, indigestion, bloating and heartburn. One easy way to use nutmeg for this purpose is to steep a quarter teaspoon of the powder in a cup of hot water and drink it as a tea.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a common problem that affects millions of people, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing or unsightly. Furthermore, these fungal infections can be notoriously difficult to treat, and many over-the-counter drugs have unreliable effects. If you’ve tried other treatments only to have them fail, give nutmeg a try. It contains a number of potent antifungal compounds that can help thwart stubborn nail fungus.

With all of the things nutmeg can do, it’s no wonder that it’s long been one of the world’s most prized spices. Try adding it to your daily health regimen and beauty routine to take advantage of its numerous benefits.