- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Originally found only in the Banda Islands of the Moluccas (Indonesia); now also grown in Grenada and India. Myristica fragrans
- Sanskrit
- Jatiphalam
Asia · Herb · № 129
Myristica fragrans
Herb · Asia
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
Safety notes
Toxic in larger amounts (from just a few teaspoons): myristicin can cause palpitations, confusion, hallucinations and vomiting. Do not use medicinally in pregnancy.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Do not take the oil internally yourself. Large doses intoxicating.
- Chinese materia medica: Not for diarrhoea from damp heat. Large amounts of nutmeg are toxic (hallucinations, palpitations).
Preparation
A pinch of grated nut or mace (the seed covering) as spice. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
To win a monopoly on nutmeg, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) conquered the Banda Islands in 1621; most of the Bandanese people were killed, expelled or enslaved. Ody treats nutmeg as an important spice herb in Asia and Europe.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Carminative, stimulates digestion, antispasmodic, anti-emetic, stimulates appetite, anti-inflammatory.
Preparation and amount
Powder in capsules 1–2 × 200 mg 3 times a day for nausea, indigestion and chronic diarrhoea; Chinese decoction for early-morning diarrhoea and colitis; diluted oil (5%) as massage for muscle pain; 1–2 drops of oil on the gums for toothache.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Aromatic, stimulating, carminative; narcotic in large doses; mace aphrodisiac; oil for loose diarrhoea and dysentery, plasters for chronic rheumatism; powder blend for asthma, colic, nerve pain, menstrual pain, spasmodic cough, lumbago; roasted nut for liver and spleen congestion.
Preparation and amount
Nutmeg or mace powder 0.5–1 g; 'jatiphaladi churna' 1–1.5 g twice a day with honey.
Caution: Do not take the oil internally yourself. Large doses intoxicating.
Everyday Ayurveda
Attributed effects
Promotes deep, good sleep; astringent; good for the skin.
Preparation and amount
A pinch in spiced milk, only in the evening.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, warm
- Meridians
- large intestine, spleen, stomach
Attributed effects
Rou dou kou warms spleen and stomach and curbs diarrhoea in stubborn chronic diarrhoea from cold and deficiency of spleen and kidneys, and helps digestion in abdominal and stomach pain, poor appetite and nausea from cold.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, of the crushed seed. In cooking, mixed into cold desserts and fruit to make them easier to digest.
Combinations
- With dang shen and bai zhu for cold diarrhoea
- With ban xia, mu xiang and fresh ginger for qi stagnation from cold
Caution: Not for diarrhoea from damp heat. Large amounts of nutmeg are toxic (hallucinations, palpitations).
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Psychic abilities, luck, love, money, health, clairvoyance, fidelity.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
Against nausea and digestive complaints; toxic in large doses.
Preparation and amount
Winter and autumn bath; spice sugar.