Nutmeg
Parts Usually Used
Seed
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Nutmeg is a tropical evergreen tree; the brown, wrinkled, oval fruit contains a kernel which is covered by a bright red membrane. The membrane provides the spice mace, and the kernel the spice nutmeg. Another variety: The Chinese use a nutmeg (Myristica moschata) that they name Jon-tou-k’ou. Very seldom used as a spice.
Where Found
Native to Indonesia, and cultivated in the West Indies, South Africa, the Molucca Islands, and other tropical areas.
Medicinal Properties
Aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, carminative, hallucinogenic, nervine, sedative, stimulant, stomachic
Biochemical Information
Volatile oil consisting of d-camphene, a-pinene, myristicin
Legends, Myths and Stories
Mace (nutmeg tree Myristica fragrans) is the lacy dried aril or outer covering of the seed of the tropical nutmeg tree. The kernel inside the seed is the spice nutmeg. Uses in whole or powdered form: cakes, cookies, cooked fruit, chocolate puddings, and other desserts. It is often combined with bay leaves, cloves, and onions in seasoning dishes. Also, used for flavoring liqueurs and cordials, mulled cider, planter’s punch and hot punch.
First brought to Europe from the Banda Islands by Portuguese sailors in 1512, nutmeg gained the reputation of a cure-all and was widely eaten as a tonic. Was even taken erroneously to procure abortions and was claimed as a cure for the plague. Known as rou dou kou in China, it has been used there since the 7th century. The Malays believe that nutmeg trees will not bear unless they can hear the sea and the tress must be fed with animal food.
The beliefs are corroborated by the fact that trees grown near the sea and fed with animal food actually do produce the finest fruits.
Uses
Historically, herbalists administered nutmeg to stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Traditional practitioners utilized it for gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, flatulence, colic, nausea, and vomiting. Folk traditions also employed it for muscle spasms, insomnia, impotence, and premature ejaculation. In France, it was traditionally blended with honey to address digestive upset and bad breath.
Externally, the essential oil was applied by herbalists for rheumatic pain and toothaches.
How Sold
Sold as a spice in supermarkets
Warning
It is a mild hallucinogenic drug, somewhat like marijuana. In addition to hallucinations and elation, however, eating nutmeg produces stomach pain, double vision, delirium, and other symptoms of poisoning. Eating as few as 2 nutmegs can cause death. 5 gms. in a single dose can be toxic, producing convulsions and palpitations. Use only as a seasoning in small amounts, other uses should have medical supervision.
Bibliography
The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 Chinese Medicinal Herbs , compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. The Herbalist Almanac , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.
copyright 1974. , Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition Indian Uses of Native Plants , by Edith Van Allen Murphey, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1958, print 1990 The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A.
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc.
, 1974