This warming, spicy essential oil is used in aromatherapy to fight inflammations and muscle as well as rheumatic pain, while assisting the digestive system and supporting the reproductive system, and at the same time stimulating and invigorating the mind.
Scent Characteristics: Sweet, warm, spicy scent with a terpeney top note.
Distillation Method: Steam distillation of the Nutmeg.
Common Uses: Flavoring, Scent, Aromatherapy
Qualities & Properties: Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Carminative, Cephalic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogic, Febrifuge, Hypertensive, Nervine, Sedative, Sudorific, Uterine, Vermifuge, Vulnerary. Calming, tonic - general, uterine tonic.
Nutmeg oil is distilled from whole, dried nutmegs that have been cut into small particles and pressed to remove the fixed oil, also known as nutmeg butter. The oil has the characteristic aromatic, volatile, oily-spicy fragrance of whole nutmegs.
Nutmeg oil is a component in men's fragrances and spicy perfumes.
Aromatherapy benefits: rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing.
Fragrant and tasty nutmeg is essential in any number of recipes. What would eggnog be without the nutmeg? It is mildly hallucinogenic, which may also contribute to the Christmas cheer.
Nutmeg is also used in perfumes and ointments.
The brown, wrinkled, apricot-like fruit contains a kernel which is covered by a bright red membrane. The membrane (arillus) provides the spice mace, and the kernel the spice nutmeg.
Traditional Middle Eastern, Indian and North African spice mixtures, used for everything from meats to pastries, such as baharat, garam masala and ras el hanout, often contain nutmeg.
In Holland, nutmeg is used for just about everything, literally from soup to nuts, and everything in between. French quatre épices ('four spices') contains nutmeg, ginger, white pepper and cloves. Allspice and cinnamon are sometimes added. Four spice mix finds its way into stews, ragouts, sausages and pastries. Jamaica's great jerk grilled meat seasoning often contains nutmeg.
In small quantities, nutmeg acts on the stomach to improve appetite and digestion. Nutmeg oil is sometimes used to dispel flatulence. It helps prevent gas and fermentation in the intestinal tract.
Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Both nutmeg and mace are used for flatulence and to correct the nausea arising from other drugs, also to allay nausea and vomiting. Nutmeg is an agreeable addition to drinks for convalescents.'
King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Both nutmeg and mace possess aromatic stimulating properties, and are occasionally used to remove flatulency, correct the nausea arising from other drugs, and to allay nausea and vomiting. It may be used in gastrodynia and atonic diarrhoea. The nutmeg forms a very agreeable addition to various drinks for convalescents, as well as to some articles of diet; it is generally grated over them, or mixed with them.'
'Dose of nutmeg or mace, from 5 to 20 grains. Larger doses possess decided narcotic qualities, and in doses of 2 or 3 drachms, dangerous symptoms have been produced.'
Eclectic Materia Medica, 1922 (Felter): 'An aromatic stimulant and carminative in small doses; larger doses produce nervous sedation and are soporific...'
Nutmeg oil is considered non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing, yet in very large dosage may become toxic with symptoms such as nausea and stupor which is most likely due to the myristicin contained in the oil (mace oil has a higher concentration of myristicin than normal nutmeg oil) and should not be used during pregnancy.
The therapeutic properties of Nutmeg oil are: Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, cardiac, carminative, emmenagogue, laxative, stimulant and tonic.
Nutmeg oil can stimulate the heart and circulation, activate the mind and revive fainti
