What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is dried kernel of broadly ovoid seed of Myristica fragrans Houtt
(Family: Myristicaceae) a bushy evergreen tree about 10–20 m. in height
native to India, Indonesia and Srilanka [1-3]. Nutmeg is described as
aphrodisiac [4,5] stomachic, carminative [6], tonic [7] and nervous
stimulant [8]. Traditionally, nutmeg has been used in paralysis [9] and to
increase blood circulation [10, 11]. Nutmeg contains 30–40% fats; while
nutmeg butter consists of 12.5% of volatile oil. The volatile oil contains
pinene and camphene (80%), eugenol and myristicin, etc [12].

Side Effects of Myristicin

Do not overeat nutmeg; it has unwanted side effects. Myristicin, or
methoxysafrole, is the principal aromatic constituent of the volatile oil of
nutmeg. Several intoxications have been reported after an ingestion of
approximately 5 g of nutmeg, corresponding to 1-2 mg myristicin/kg body
weight (b.w.). No toxic effects were observed in rats administered myristicin
perorally at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w., while amount of 6-7 mg/kg b.w. may
be enough to cause psychopharmacological effects in man. [13] Myristic
acid (a 14-carbon, straight-chain saturated fatty acid) has been shown to
have a low order of acute oral toxicity in rodents. It may be irritating in pure
form to skin and eyes under exaggerated exposure conditions. [14]

Some Interesting Research Findings

Pakistani researchers found nutmeg oil showed a rapid onset of action
and short duration of anticonvulsant effect in a study of animal seizure
models. They also found nutmeg oil possessed significant anticonvulsant
activity against electroshock-induced hind limb tonic extension, in the
study. The oil exhibited dose dependent anticonvulsant activity against
pentylenetetrazole-induced tonic seizures. It also delayed the onset of hind
limb tonic extensor jerks induced by strychnine. The study shows nutmeg
oil may benefit people at risk of grand mal and partial seizures. [15]

Researchers from Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany,
found that alcoholic extracts from the tropical plant Knema laurina (Black
wild nutmeg) exhibited highly anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects
in cell culture experiments, reduced NO- and IL-6-release from activated
microglia cells dose-dependently, and protected living brain tissue from
microglia-mediated inflammatory damage at a concentration of 30
microg/ml. Extract from K. laurina promotes also neurogenesis in living
brain tissue after oxygen-glucose deprivation. Researchers believe it may
benefit people after stroke-like injury. [17]

Korean researchers found that macelignan from Myristica fragrans might
possibly inhibit melanin biosynthesis from an in vitro study and thus, they
use it as a skin-whitening agent. It is because macelignan decreased the
expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and -2. These
enzymes are related to melanogenesis. [18] Another group of researchers
found that machilin A and other lignans extracted from Myristica fragrans
stimulated osteoblast differentiation - an anabolic activity in bone
metabolism. [16]

Researchers from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, found that
methanol extract of nutmeg induced apoptosis of Jurkat leukemia T cell
line in a mechanisms involving SIRTI mRNA downregulation. [18]


[1] Ghani N. Khazeenatul Advia. I. Vol. 2. Lucknow, India. Matba Munshi
Nawal Kishore; 1921. pp. 241–242. [2] Khory RN, Katrak NN. Materia
Medica of India and their therapeutics. Delhi, India. Neeraj Publishing
House; 1985. pp. 532–524. [3] Chopra RN, Chopra IC, Handa KL, Kapur
LD. Indigenous Drugs of India. 2. Calcutta, India. UN Dhur and Sons Pvt.
Ltd; 1958. p. 201. [4] Ainslie W. Materia Indica. Vol. 1. Delhi, India. Neeraj
Publishin House; 1979. pp. 249–252. [5] Antaki DZ. Tazkirah-ulil-Albab. 2.
Vol. 1. Cairo, Egypt. Matba Aamirah Sharfyyah; 1930. p. 208. [6] Lindley J.
Flora Medica. New Delhi, India. Ajay Book Service; 1981. p. 22. [7] Samir
EL-Gammal Yahia. Spices Throughout History. Hamdard Medicus. 1993;1:
25–52. [8] Isogai A, Suzuki A, Tamura S. Structure of dimeric
phenoxypropanoids from Myristica fragrans. Agar Biol Chem. 1973;37:193–
194. [9] Khan MA. Moheet-e-Azam. Vol. 3. Kanpur, India. Matba Nizami;
1893. p. 296. [10] Baytar Ibn. Kitabul Jame' Li-Mufradat il Advia wal aghzia.
Vol. 5. Cairo, Egypt. Matba Zahiyah Zaaherah Mutawafferah; 1869. pp. 7–
9. [11] Nadkarni KM. Indian Materia Medica. Vol. 1. Bombay, India. Popular
Book Depot; 1982. pp. 835–837. [12] Attar HZ. Ikhtiyarat-e-badiyee.
Lucknow, India. Munshi Nawal Kishore; 1370. p. 381. [13] Hallstrom H,
Thuvander A. Toxicological evaluation of myristicin Nat. Toxins 1997;5(5):
186-92. [14] Burdock GA, Carabin IG Safety assessment of myristic acid
as a food ingredient. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Apr;45(4):517-29. Epub
2006 Oct 24. [15] Wahab A, Ul Haq R, Ahmed A, Khan RA, Raza M.
Anticonvulsant activities of nutmeg oil of Myristica fragrans. Phytother Res.
2009 Feb;23(2):153-8. [16] Lee SU, Shim KS, Ryu SY, Min YK, Kim SH.
Machilin A isolated from Myristica fragrans stimulates osteoblast
differentiation. Planta Med. 2009 Feb;75(2):152-7. Epub 2008 Dec 18.
[17] Häke I, Schönenberger S, Neumann J, Franke K, Paulsen-Merker K,
Reymann K, Ismail G, Bin Din L, Said IM, Latiff A, Wessjohann L, Zipp F,
Ullrich O. Neuroprotection and enhanced neurogenesis by extract from the
tropical plant Knema laurina after inflammatory damage in living brain
tissue. J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Jan 3;206(1-2):91-9. Epub 2008 Nov 22.
[18] Cho Y, Kim KH, Shim JS, Hwang JK. Inhibitory effects of macelignan
isolated from Myristica fragrans HOUTT. on melanin biosynthesis. Biol
Pharm Bull. 2008 May;31(5):986-9.
What are the health
benefits of Nutmeg?
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.