Nutmeg

The origins of this Southeast Asian spice can be traced to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia, where it still grows widely today. Though its products have traveled the globe, the nutmeg tree itself has not been naturalized to many other areas due to its restrictive growth requirements. Its common name derives from the Latin term for its seed, nux muscatus, meaning "musky nut," referring to its strong aroma.

Health Benefits of Nutmeg

Medicinally, nutmeg is known for being an anti-inflammatory, carminative, and stimulant agent. It has been traditionally used for:

• Alleviating digestive issues. Nutmeg relieves gastrointestinal problems, including colic, diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion.

• Stimulating appetite. The volatile compounds of nutmeg seeds have an appetite-enhancing effect.

The Hindi, Chinese, and Arabian traditional medicine systems have taken advantage of nutmeg's properties, using it for digestive discomfort, headaches, fever, and even foul breath.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial health benefits of nutmeg also allow for its use in treating a variety of conditions, from infectious diseases and parasites to joint pain, vomiting, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Nowadays, nutmeg is rarely administered alone, but its active compounds are used in numerous medicines.

How It Works

The benefits of nutmeg are attributed to many compounds, including myristic acid, trymiristin, fatty acid glyceride, monoterpenes, and phenylpropanoids. Nutmeg's most notable properties come from its essential oil (officially, Myristica oil or oleum myristicae), obtained by exposing the nuts to hydraulic pressure and heat.

The nutmeg seed has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, mainly for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems. Modern science has revealed that the active compound responsible for the carminative and other digestive properties of nutmeg is myrislignan, a neolignan with antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory activities.¹

The appetite-enhancing effects of nutmeg are attributed to the inhalation of its volatile, aromatic compounds, mainly myristicin and methyl eugenol; however, the effects are short-lasting and usually lost by habituation. More studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms of action behind these properties.^2,3

Additionally, nutmeg seed extracts have been shown to modulate monoamine neurotransmitters, the bioactive substances in the central nervous system, producing sedative and antidepressant effects.^4,5

Herbs with similar carminative and digestive effects are cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, whereas dandelion, devil's claw, and lemon balm also stimulate appetite.

Nutmeg Side Effects

One of the active ingredients in the nutmeg seed, myristicin, besides its therapeutic benefits, has been proven to cause neurotoxic and hallucinogenic effects, and it is potentially fatal in large doses. Another nutmeg's constituent, safrole, can also be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts.

However, the nutmeg seed is considered safe when consumed ground in minimal, culinary doses with food. However, for medicinal purposes, it is best to consume nutmeg in controlled doses under medical supervision.

In spite of the existence of supplemental forms on the herbal medicine market, nutmeg is almost exclusively used for culinary purposes as a spice. It is a very common ingredient in several different cuisines, appearing in curries and rice dishes in its native regions as well as savory dishes in the Middle East, beverages in the Caribbean region, and traditional holiday dishes throughout Europe and North America. In Scotland, it is an essential ingredient in haggis, the country's most traditional meal.

Natural Forms

• Dried. The whole nutmeg seed is usually grated to be added to a variety of culinary preparations. This a popular way of reaping the carminative and anti-inflammatory benefits of this aromatic spice.

• Powder. In a more practical way, nutmeg powder can be directly added to foods and lattes in order to obtain its medicinal properties.

• Capsules. Under medical supervision, nutmeg capsules are generally considered safe for ingestion in therapeutic doses in order to reap their medicinal benefits.

Myristica oil can be toxic when ingested, so it's not recommended to use it in this way without previously consulting to a healthcare practitioner.

Natural Forms

Whole and pre-ground nutmeg seeds can be found year-round at many grocery stores and supermarkets thanks to a globalized economy and almost constant nutmeg tree production.

The majority of food markets and organic stores usually have the whole nutmeg seeds.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

Nutmeg supplements are not so easy to find, due to the severe health risks associated with ingesting it at high concentrations. However, nutmeg essential oil, liquid extract, and capsules can be obtained through online retailers and some specialized herbal stores. Those who consider this route should consult a doctor or a licensed herbalist before beginning use.

A HOLIDAY FAVORITE IN THE WEST AND A VALUED INGREDIENT IN ASIAN CUISINE, NUTMEG CAN BE FOUND YEAR-ROUND IN MANY STORES.

Large-scale nutmeg cultivation efforts have been successful for hundreds of years; however, as it is not a common ornamental plant, many factors exist that may forestall seed production.

Growing Guidelines

• The nutmeg tree depends on tropical forest conditions and will not tolerate  temperatures under 55°F (13°C).

• For optimal growth, the nutmeg plant requires well-drained and slightly acidic soil, which must be kept from both drying out and water-logging.

• Nutmeg trees can be grown directly from the seed in a nursery and then transplanted to a sunny area.

• It takes approximately six to nine years for a nutmeg tree to begin fruiting and 20 years to reach maturation.

• Seeds from male and female trees are indistinguishable until maturation, but only female trees produce seeds, yielding 10,000 each season of its potentially 100-year-long life.

• The nutmeg tree is vulnerable to fungal infestations and leaf spots.

AN EVERGREEN TREE, NUTMEG GROWS BEST IN ITS NATIVE TROPICAL CLIMATE.

Plant Biology

The nutmeg tree is a tropical evergreen that can reach up to 60 feet (18 m), with entire oval leaves up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. Its round fruit is about two inches (5 cm) long and contains one large seed, which is surrounded by a red aril, known as "mace," that turns yellow when dried. Both nutmeg and mace have been used by humans, but mace is considered more medicinal today.

• Classification

  Belonging to Myristicaceae, or the nutmeg family, Myristica fragrans is one of 440 species of flowering plants growing in chiefly tropical regions.

• Varieties and Subspecies of Nutmeg

  Though the nutmeg tree produces two separate commodities: nutmeg (the seed,) and mace (the delicate covering on the kernel), it does not have any subspecies or varying cultivars. This is most likely due to its restricted areas of growth, little modern demand for variety, and its lack of use as an ornamental plant.

Historical Information

Nutmeg was first used in its native regions as a seasoning and medicinal herb for an unknown number of generations, but by the 1^st century CE, it was so widespread that its trade went as far west as classical Greece and Rome.

During the 11^th century, the spice was praised for its effect on the kidneys, and it was used to combat digestive disorders, pain, vomiting, and lymphatic ailments, and it was even considered aphrodisiac. Dating back to the 16^th century, nutmeg was known for its psychoactive properties and used as an antidepressant and hallucinogenic. Nutmeg's hallucinogenic properties are well documented by historic figures, including Malcolm X, but despite that, it remains a popular spice for seasoning in small amounts to this day.

Economic Data

As a large-scale cultivation crop, nutmeg represents an important source of revenue in many Southeast Asian countries, exported primarily as a culinary spice. Guatemala, however, currently outranks them all as top producer, generating over 31% of the world's supply and just surpassing Indonesia's annual yield of 24,000 tons. Despite lesser quantity, seeds that come from Grenada are prized above all others for their superior quality, driving up mean import prices in the U.S. to over $11 million USD per year due to limited supplies.

Other Uses

• Personal care industry. Nutmeg oil is used in soaps and cosmetics.

• Fuel. Nutmeg shells have shown promise as a source of bio fuel that can be be burned as briquettes and may substitute coal and charcoal.

• Fodder. The subproducts of the nutmeg and mace production also make good source of food for farm animals.

Nutmeg oil also has several folk uses. A massage oil is obtained by diluting nutmeg essential oil in almond oil and used to relieve muscular pains associated with rheumatism or overexertion, as well as for an emergency treatment to dull toothache. Drops are put on a cotton swab and applied to the gums around an aching tooth until dental treatment can be obtained.