Nutmeg (Jaiphal) For Babies: Safety, Right Age And Benefits

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Once your baby is on a solid diet, you may consider adding several food items to their meals. Nutmeg for babies may be considered to improve the meals’ flavors, but is it safe?

Nutmeg is also called Jaiphal and is an aromatic spice obtained by powdering the dried seeds from the fruits of Myristica trees. The spice is known for its sweet taste and rich aroma. Additionally, it is considered to have some potential health-promoting properties.

Read this post to know the safety of nutmeg for infants, the right age to include nutmeg in your baby’s diet, its possible uses, and precautions to take while feeding it to babies.

Is Nutmeg (Jaiphal) Safe For Babies?

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), nutmeg is generally recognized as safe to use as a food ingredient (1). However, there are no specific recommendations about its safety for infants. Therefore, consult a pediatrician before adding nutmeg to your baby’s diet.

Padmajha PJ, a mother, and blogger, talks about an ancient tradition of feeding babies nutmeg concoction mixed with more herbs and breastmilk to improve appetite, reduce colic, and aid digestion. She says, “Giving nutmeg to infants has been practiced for a very long time. It cannot be given whole or powdered. First, nutmeg has to be processed…I have been giving this to my little angel from day 11 till date.”

She then explains how the nutmeg must be processed by boiling it in milk and then drying it hygienically. Once this is done, the nutmeg must be rubbed on a grinding stone, and a minimal amount must be mixed with the breastmilk to feed the baby (i).

When Can Babies Have Nutmeg?

If your pediatrician gives you a nod, you can feed small amounts of ground nutmeg as a flavoring agent or spice to babies older than six months. To incorporate nutmeg’s flavor into your cooking, you can prepare nutmeg powder or paste using dried nutmeg seeds.

Purees, soups, stews, cereals, casseroles, drinks, baked items, and salad dressings are some foods where nutmeg can add flavor. 

How Much Nutmeg Can Babies Consume?

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According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), nutmeg intoxication can occur after ingesting as little as one to four teaspoons (5 to 20g) of ground nutmeg in one serving (2) (3). Therefore, use no more than a pinch or two of nutmeg powder or paste in a single portion of baby food.  

Nutritional Value Of Nutmeg (Jaiphal)

Small amounts of nutrients found in nutmeg powder can improve the overall nutrition of a meal. A teaspoon (2.2g) of nutmeg powder offers 4.69mg of phosphorus, 4mg of calcium, 4.03mg of magnesium, and 7.7mg of potassium. It also provides trace amounts of folate and vitamin A (4).  

Possible Benefits Of Nutmeg For Babies

Nutmeg contains several bioactive compounds possessing therapeutic properties. The usage of this remedy is prevalent in folk and alternative medicine for treating illnesses and enhancing overall health through its medicinal benefits (5).

1. Relieve indigestion: The use of nutmeg to treat digestive disorders is prevalent in traditional medicine. A freshly prepared decoction of nutmeg with honey is known to relieve gastrointestinal issues, such as indigestion (6). This remedy aids digestion and may be useful for babies older than 12 months who can consume honey (7). t is also believed to be effective in alleviating colic in babies.

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2. Improve appetite: Nutmeg has carminative effects, helping relieve flatulence, gas, and bloating (6). These effects may also help promote appetite in babies.

3. Support immunity: Nutmeg has several bioactive compounds, such as eugenol, isoeugenol, and methoxyeugenol, with antioxidant properties. Besides, it has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may boost an infant’s immunity in the long run (6) (8).

Quick fact

Moderate use of nutmeg, as directed by a medical professional, may help manage constipation (16).

4. Promote oral health: Nutmeg has antimicrobial properties that could promote oral health by fighting off oral problems, such as bad breath, cavities, and bleeding gums. It can also relieve toothache through its pain-relieving properties attributed to eugenol (6) (8) (9).

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5. Aid in skincare: Topical application of a paste of nutmeg powder with curd, raw milk, or honey to improve skin texture is an age-old skincare. Its use to treat skin infection is also prevalent in traditional medicine (5) (10).

Most alternative uses of nutmeg are colloquial, and little is known about its safety in babies. Therefore, consult a doctor before using nutmeg as a home remedy in babies. 

Did you know?

Folk medicine believes that nutmeg can help babies calm down and sleep better.

How To Select And Store Nutmeg?

You can purchase whole or ground nutmeg powder. Consider the following points while purchasing nutmeg for babies.

Tips for selecting and storing whole nutmeg

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1. Prefer to buy the whole, dried nutmeg seed if you use nutmeg occasionally. It will ensure you always get a freshly grated, flavorful spice for use.

2. Buy from a reputable and trusted store to ensure the product’s quality.

3. Discard produce that looks discolored, water-logged, or moldy. A nutmeg with tiny holes indicates pest infestation.

4. Buy nutmeg that is hard to touch, has a rough surface, and feels heavy for its size. These are the features of a good-quality nutmeg.

5. Store nutmeg in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture to keep it effectively useful for years.

Tips for selecting and storing ground nutmeg

1. Always buy ground nutmeg in small quantities as the spice in its ground form loses its aroma and flavor quickly.

2. Buy ground nutmeg from a trusted manufacturer and store. Powdered nutmeg has higher chances of adulteration or contamination.

3. Check for “manufacturing” or “to be used by” date for proper storage.

4. Store the powder in an airtight container and keep the container in a cool, dry place away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture.

5. Refrigerate the opened pack or container for longer shelf-life. 

Precautions To Take While Feeding Nutmeg To Babies

Below are some precautions to observe while feeding nutmeg to babies and toddlers.

• Before grating the whole nutmeg for use, wash it thoroughly under cold running water to remove dust and dirt that might be present on its surface.

• Grate the whole nutmeg to make its smooth paste, ensure no lumps or chunks are left.

• Every time you use ground nutmeg, rub a small amount of powder between your fingers and smell. If there is a faint aroma or no aroma, it usually signifies that the powder has become stale.

• Mix only a pinch or two of nutmeg paste or powder to a serving of baby food. Feeding nutmeg in excess can increase the risk of nutmeg intoxication (3).

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• Preferably use nutmeg as a seasoning with a compatible recipe your infant is already consuming comfortably. It will help identify intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy towards nutmeg easily.

• If your baby looks uncomfortable after ingesting nutmeg, discontinue feeding and try again later.

• Nutmeg allergy is rare but possible (11). Consult a pediatrician before feeding nutmeg to the baby, especially if they have a family history of food and seed allergies, as it can impact their development.

• Keep the ground nutmeg away from your child’s reach to avoid accidental ingestion.

Infographic: Using Nutmeg As A Flavoring Agent For Baby Food

A small quantity of nutmeg can be added to sweet and savory dishes, enhancing their flavor. If your baby likes nutmeg’s taste, add a little of it to their favorite puree or food item. The infographic below lists some baby foods with which the aroma of nutmeg works well.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Unveil the secret to a simple yet effective home remedy for your baby’s cold and cough, utilizing the power of Jaiphal (Nutmeg). Also, gain valuable insights from this video into winter baby food tips to ensure your little one’s health and happiness.

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Jennifer SwallowMS, RDN, LDN

Jennifer Swallow has 14 years of experience with the plant-based diet. She has studied nutrition and with a dietetics license from the state of Florida, she works as a clinical and wellness dietitian. Jennifer graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Bowling Green State University with a Masters in Nutrition. In 2009,...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more