Mace is a spice from the lacy, red outer covering (aril) of the nutmeg seed, known for its warm, subtly sweet, and spicy flavour that's milder and more delicate than nutmeg, with hints of pepper and citrus. It's used in both sweet (custards, baked goods) and savory (stews, curries, seafood) dishes across various cuisines like Indian, Asian, European, and Caribbean. Available whole as delicate blades or ground, it adds a sophisticated depth to dishes.

History and Origin

Mace spice originates from the lacy, red aril (covering) of the nutmeg seed, both from the Myristica fragrans tree native to Indonesia's Banda Islands (the "Spice Islands"), prized since ancient times for its unique pungent, warm flavour and medicinal uses, becoming a highly valuable commodity in the European spice trade from the Middle Ages onward, famously monopolized by the Dutch before its global spread.

Nutrient Database – USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Reference Values for Nutrition – FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Rich in antioxidants - Mace is rich in antioxidants, containing beneficial compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, and essential oils (myristicin, elemicin) that combat free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and offer anti-inflammatory, digestive, and antimicrobial support, making it a flavourful addition to food for overall wellness. 

Digestive aid - Mace, the lacy covering of the nutmeg seed, acts as a digestive aid by stimulating digestive enzymes, reducing gas, bloating, and indigestion, and soothing the stomach, with compounds like myristicin and eugenol potentially easing discomfort, though scientific backing is mostly traditional or from lab studies, not large human trials. It's used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for gut health, improving appetite, and helping with nausea and diarrhoea, but more robust clinical evidence in humans is needed to fully support these claims. 

Anti-inflammatory - Mace (the lacy covering of the nutmeg seed) has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties, primarily due to compounds like myristicin and other phenolics, which help reduce inflammation and possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and potential anticancer effects, making it useful in traditional medicine for digestive and pain issues, though more clinical research is ongoing.

Supports heart health - Mace spice (Javitri) supports heart health by providing potassium to relax blood vessels and control blood pressure, while its antioxidants fight inflammation and cholesterol, improving circulation and overall cardiovascular function. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory compounds, helping with circulation and reducing risks associated with hypertension and oxidative stress, though large doses of related spices can cause adverse effects like dizziness.

Significant antimicrobial properties - Mace spice (from Myristica fragrans) has significant antimicrobial properties, showing strong activity against various bacteria (like E. coli, S. aureus, H. pylori, Salmonella) and fungi, potentially acting as a natural preservative and supporting oral/gut health, thanks to compounds like terpenoids, lignans, and phenols.

Nutrient-Dense - Mace is considered nutrient-dense as a spice, packed with antioxidants, essential minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A & C, plus beneficial compounds (myristicin, elemicin) that support digestion, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and offer pain relief, making it a flavourful addition for both health and culinary purposes. 

Support kidney health - Mace derived from the nutmeg seed's covering, is traditionally believed to support kidney health by potentially treating kidney stones, infections, and related issues, though more research is needed, notes Lybrate and Triveni Impex Pvt Ltd.. It's considered a low-sodium spice, making it generally safe for kidney patients, and used in traditional medicine for digestion and inflammation, but high doses (of nutmeg/mace) can be problematic, so use it as a flavouring. 

Blood circulation - Mace spice is traditionally used in herbal medicine to support blood circulation, believed to warm the body and stimulate flow due to its antioxidants, vitamins (A, C), and essential oils like myristicin, which also offer anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, but strong scientific backing for circulation is limited, with most evidence being anecdotal or from traditional use, so caution is advised with large doses due to potential CNS effects.

Mace – From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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