Myristica fragrans

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  Myristica fragrans

Myristica fragrans Houtt., nutmeg tree, Myristicaceae, is believed to be native to the Moluccas.   The species provides two important spices, the mace and the nutmeg, for which it is now grown in West Indies, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.

The light yellow flowers (Myristica fragrans1) produce drooping fruits (Myristica fragrans2) with hard shells, within which there is a reddish outgrowth covering the seed  (Myristica fragrans3) which constitutes the mace (Myristica fragrans4).   The seed kernel is the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans5).

All parts of the plant contain essential oils, in different combinations, but more concentrated in the pungent mace and the nutmeg, each of which has its own characteristic essential oil constitution and odour.   The mace and nutmeg are used in a variety of foods in most parts of the world.   The fruit rind is used as pickles.

Nutmeg oil is used externally for rheumatism, sprains and paralysis and internally as a carminative, in flatulence, nausea and vomiting, as well as for the inflammation of the bladder and the urinary passage.

Nutmeg oil is a stimulant and may cause convulsions in excess use.   Both the mace and nutmeg may induce hallucinations in humans.

Nutmeg oil is also used in perfumery.

The essential oil in the kernel is associated with solid fat.   Apart from some essential oils that are also present in other spices, myristicin is distinctive of the mace and the nutmeg.