Nutmeg

The nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) is an evergreen tree species with growth heights of 5 to 18 metres. The nutmeg tree is a plant species from the nutmeg family (Myristicaceae). Its seed, nutmeg, is widely used as a spice.

Originally native to the tropical Banda Islands and the northern Moluccas, nutmeg trees are now also cultivated in South America and Africa.

The fruit has a length of 8-10 cm. The 2-3 cm large, roundish seed (the actual nutmeg) is surrounded by a reddish, fleshy, oily seed coat. The kernel of the seed is used both as a spice (also contained in curry in varying concentrations) and as a drug. The fatty oil is also called "nutmeg butter" because of its buttery consistency.

The essential oil is isolated from crushed nutmegs by steam distillation. It is colourless to slightly yellow. Characteristic for the flavour of nutmeg are the terpenes α and β-pinene, sabinene, lime, Borneol, terpineol, eugenol and isoeugenol. These substances are also responsible for the allergenic potency of the extracts.

The main active ingredient of nutmeg is the pungent drug myristicin. Myristicin acts as an MAO inhibitor and is hallucinogenic. Essential nutmeg oil is used as a flavouring agent in toothpastes. It is also used as a flavour corrector in medicines. The oil is often added to men's perfumes because of its acrid smell.

Nutmeg and nutmeg oil are used in natural medicine for diseases of the digestive system. In India an ointment is made from nutmeg powder and water, which is said to have an anti-eczematous effect.

Nutmeg allergy can occur as a food allergy, often in connection with the celery-carrot-mugwort spice syndrome. Type IV sensitizations are also known (see above)

The name nutmeg developed from the Latin name "nux moschata" or musk-scented nut.

1. Noiles Ket al (2010) Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub. Dermatitis 21:167-169.