Nutmeg and powder profile
Also known as- Myristica fragans, mace, mace fruit, nutmeg fruit.
Introduction
The nutmeg tree is a native of the Banda Islands, a cluster of small volcanic islands historically known as the Spice Islands and now part of the province of Molucca in Indonesia. Nutmeg isn't really a nut, but the kernel of an apricot-like fruit. The closely related is an arillus, a thin leathery tissue between the stone and the pulp.
As noted by Ginger Webb in Herbalgram (1996), natives of the Banda islands use nutmeg oil for treatment of flu. The oil is rubbed on the abdomen for stomachaches and on the forehead for headaches. Grated nutmeg seed, combined with eucalyptus oil, treats diarrhea. Nutmeg can be combined with citronella, cloves, ginger, and softened uncooked rice to make an ointment used in the treatment of rheumatism and other various limb and joint aches.
Constituents
Essential oil containing camphene, p-cymene, phellandrene, terpinene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, geraniol, terpineol, myristicin, elemicin, safrol, eugenol and eugenol.
Parts Used
The "nut" (aril), ground to a fine powder. Buy powdered nutmeg from a reputable source that guarantees that the powder is not made from previously BWP (broken-wormy-punky) nuts. It's also better not to use an irradiated product. Irradiating nutmeg breaks down the fatty acids that contain the essential oils that give nutmeg its aroma and flavor. Avoid irradiated nutmeg for best quality.
Typical Preparations
Most popularly added to food in either ground, chopped or powdered form. May also be taken as a tea or extract.
Summary
As an herbal medicine, nutmeg powder is used to relieve or prevent flatulence and to break up chest congestion. Recent research shows that it may inhibit the growth of the rota-viruses associated with diarrhea in children.
Nutmeg may also be employed as noted above. An article in the July 2005 edition of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that alcohol extracts made with nutmeg may help treat erectile dysfunction.
Precautions
Nutmeg is a very weak hallucinogen; and whole nuts have been used to produce "trips".
This dosage of nutmeg can cause some very unpleasant side effects, notably prolonged nausea. However perfectly fine when used as a common spice.
