NUTMEG
myristica fragrans



Habitat in Spice Islands.

Traditional Uses of Nutmeg
by Ginger Webb

Nutmeg tree (myristica fragrans) is endemic
to the Banda Islands, a cluster of small volcanic islands
formerly known as the Spice Islands and now part
of the Molucca Province of Indonesia.
Although little known today, these islands were prized
by the Portuguese, Dutch and British for the fruit
of the nutmeg tree, which grew there in abundance.
Ethnobotanists Carl van Gils and Paul Alan Cox
gathered information about the historical and current
indigenous medicinal uses of nutmeg from Bandanese healers,
midwives herbal remedy vendors and others willing
to participate in the discussions.

Nutmeg, known in the West for its use as a spice,
is valued as a foodstuff for medicinal and religious purposes.

The fruit and the seeds are the parts
of the nutmeg tree that are used.

The endosperm and embryo of the seed shrink
when dried and form the nutmeg of commerce.

The coating (aril) of the nutmeg seed, when dried,
is known in commerce as mace and is used
for culinary purposes around the world.

In the Banda Islands, nutmeg oil is used indigenously
today in the treatment of a flu-like condition;
the oil is rubbed on the abdomen
for stomachaches and on the forehead for headaches.

Grated nutmeg seed, combined with eucalyptus oil,
is used to relieve diarrhea.

Nutmeg can be combined with ginger (zingiber officinale),
citronella (cymbopogon nardus),
cloves (syzygium aromaticum) and softened uncooked rice
to make an ointment used in the treatment
of rheumatism and other various limb and joint aches.

Candy is often made from the nutmeg rind, and at least
one local healer believes that the confection
will cure mouth sores.

Nutmeg and mace are both used as sedatives, and are prepared
in various ways for babies, children, and adults.

The use of nutmeg in religious healing has been reported;
however, the researchers were unable to confirm
the anecdotal reports found in Western literature
of the use of nutmeg or mace for psychoactive purposes.