Botanical Overview
Myristica fragrans, commonly known as Nutmeg or Mace, belongs to the family Myristicaceae. Native to Indonesia and cultivated in tropical regions such as India, the Caribbean, and Sri Lanka, the plant’s seed and aril are the primary parts used medicinally.
Energetics
This warming and drying herb possesses sweet, pungent, and bitter tastes. It is tonifying with an ascending energetic direction, traditionally affecting the qi.
Primary Actions
- Carminative
- Digestive
- Antimicrobial
- Mild analgesic
- Nervine
- Spasmolytic
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Mild pain
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
Syndromes
- Digestive insufficiency
- Mild spasms
- Nervous tension
TCM
- Abdominal pain
- Cold extremities
- Vomiting
Syndromes
- Cold deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney
Ayurveda
- Loss of appetite
- Vata imbalance
- Nervous disorders
- Respiratory congestion
Syndromes
- Ama (toxicity)
- Vata imbalance
- Kapha disorders
Unani
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Colic
Syndromes
- Stomach cold
- Nervine debility
Constituents & Mechanisms
Myristica fragrans contains phytochemicals including myristicin, eugenol, safrole, lignans, essential oils, and terpenes that contribute to its carminative, antimicrobial, and mild analgesic effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powder 0.2-0.5 g up to 3 times daily
- Tincture 1:5 40% alcohol 2-4 mL 1-3 times daily
- Essential oil used topically in dilute form
Safety & Contraindications
Use cautiously due to potential toxicity at high doses causing hallucinations and CNS effects. Avoid in pregnancy, especially high doses. May interact additively with sedatives. Caution in liver disease.
Astrological Correspondences
No widely recognized planetary or elemental rulers have been reliably attributed to Myristica fragrans.
Selected References
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Volume 2: Myristica fragrans (2002)
- Plants For A Future: Myristica fragrans – Nutmeg
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects (2011)
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2018) – Phytochemistry and bioactivity of nutmeg