Nutmeg Essential Oil (Myristica fragrans)

Overview

Nutmeg may also be referred to as mace. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the seeds.

Summary

Nutmeg oil comes from the seeds of the Myristica fragrans tree. It has a spicy scent. It has a stimulating effect.

The nutmeg tree produces fruits that once ripe and opened, reveal an aril known as mace. Inside the aril are the nuts that we know as nutmeg.

Nutmeg Essential Oil
By Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen - List of Koehler Images, Public Domain, Link

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Spicy Sweet Woody

  • Common Name(s): mace

  • Synonyms(s) for Myristica fragrans: Aruana silvestris, Myristica amboinensis, Myristica americana, Myristica aromatica, Myristica laurella, Myristica moschata, Myristica philippinensis, Palala fragrans

  • Botanical Family: Myristicaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Myristica
  • Chemical Family: Ethers, Monoterpenes
  • Major Compounds: Sabinene, a-Pinene, B-Pinene, Myristicin, Terpinene-4-ol, Gamma-Terpinene, Linalool, (+)-Limonene, a-Phellandrene, a-Terpinene, Safrole, a-Thujene, Methyleugenol (reported for East Indian Nutmeg Oil)
  • Perfumery Note: Middle
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
  • Color: Clear
  • Indigenous Country: Germany
  • Cultivation: Wild Harvested
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
  • Part Typically Used: Seeds
  • Shelf Life: 3 - 4 years
  • Wild Harvested Wild Harvested
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Libido Lice Scabies

Therapeutic Benefits of Nutmeg:

Analgesic Anti-dontalgic Anti-rheumatic Anti-septic Anti-spasmodic Carminative Digestive stimulant Digestive tonic Emmenagogic Rubefacient Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Warming

Other Uses for Nutmeg:

Don't use nutmeg oil during pregnancy.

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Nutmeg:

Aromatically, Nutmeg Essential Oil is a warm, spicy essential oil that is sweet and somewhat woody. It blends beautifully with other essential oils in the spice family. It also blends well with floral, citrus and wood essential oils. It can add a beautiful, distinctive spicy characteristic to otherwise bland blends.

Nutmeg CO2 Extract Select possesses a beautiful, fuller aroma that you likely will find even more aromatically pleasing than the steam distilled essential oil.

Emotionally, Nutmeg Essential Oil can be a very stimulating essential oil. I've found it to be especially helpful in supporting my motivation and focus during especially challenging times. But again, a little goes a very long way. Robbi Zeck writes \"When there is heaviness, sluggishness, a feeling of being conquered and unable to face the tasks ahead, Nutmeg stokes the fire, intensifies the energy and provides hearty warmth with its glowing heat.\" [Robbi Zeck, ND,The Blossoming Heart: Aromatherapy for Healing and Transformation(Victoria, Australia: Aroma Tours, 2008), 100.]

Safety Precautions for Nutmeg:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities

Energetics and Chakras Qualites of Nutmeg:

1st Chakra - Survival and Support 3rd Chakra - Personal Power 6th Chakra - Perspective 7th Chakra - Higher Information Expansive Grounding Transformative

Articles

Nutmeg Articles or Publications:

Niaouli Essential Oil
Oakmoss Essential Oil