Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) Flashcards
How do you recognise Nutmeg?
Native to Moluccas particularly the Banda islands. The Bandanese traded nutmeg and mace with Arab traders who sold on to European markets.
Later the Portuguese, English and Dutch traded with and then fought over control of the islands. The Bandanese suffered badly – see the Wikipedia page on the Banda Islands.
Now cultivated in Penang and Caribbean. Fleshy fruit splits when mature revealing brown seed = nutmeg covered by red aril = mace.
What are Nutmeg’s main constituents?
Primarily Essential oil containing terpenes and phenylpropanoids including D-pinene, limonene, D-borneol, geraniol, safrole, myristicin, elemicin.
What family is Nutmeg in?
An evergreen tree in the Myristicaceae
What is Nutmeg good for?
Summary: Mainly for improving digestion (bloating, gas, diarrhea), reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and for colds and the flu.
**Actions: **
* Carminitive – promotes good digestion, relieves flatulence
* Anti-infective (bacteria and fungal) esp. for GIT
* Emetic in high doses
* Some sources suggest that nutmeg is an emmenagogue
* Research into use as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial;
* Psychoactive – causes some amphetamine-like effects, hallucinations. 5g can be toxic.
** Applications:**
* Commonly used for bloating and gas. It can also relieve diarrhea (anti bacterial) and is commonly used with children, GIT spasm, flatulence. There is animal evidence for its use as an anti-inflammatory in colitis.
* In India used as a female aphrodisiac.
* The essential oil can be used as a painkiller in local application.
What parts of Nutmeg do you use?
Seed
What safety issues might Nutmeg have?
Psychoatric when using over 5mg, also not recommended for pregnant women. In medicines 5-10ml/week of 1:3 tincture.
