Myristica, Nutmeg, Rou Dou Kou 肉豆蔻Nux Muscata (Latin)Jatiphala (Ayurveda, Unani) Cathikkay (Siddha) Rou Dou Kou 肉豆蔻 (TCM) Dza ti ཛཱ་ཏི (Tibetan) |
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Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Darstellung und Beschreibung sammtliche, Berg, 1858
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640 |
Top: Whole NutmegBottom: Mace |
Botanical name:
Myristica fragrans
Parts used:
Fruit (Nutmeg); Mace
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent, astringent.
“Hot and Dry from the last phase of second degree to the Third degree”. (Avicenna)
Classifications:
NUTMEG:
2B ATTENUATER. 2H. CARMINATIVE. 2I. ANTISPASMODIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC. 3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS. 3F. LITHONTRIPTIC. 3I. APHRODISIAC. 3J. INCREASE SEMEN. 3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE
4a. CEPHALIC. 4b. OPTHALMIC. 4c. CARDIAC. 4e. STOMACHIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4h. NEPHRITIC. 4i. UTERINE. 4j. NERVINE
MACE:
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC. 3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS. 3F. LITHONTRIPTIC
4a. CEPHALIC. 4b. OPTHALMIC. 4e. STOMACHIC. 4g. HEPATIC. 4i. UTERINE
Uses:
1. Warms the Kidneys, Astringes to Stop Leakage (Nutmeg: all systems):
–chronic diarrhea (cold and weakness of the Stomach/Spleen and Kidneys); ‘Daybreak Diarrhea’
–Incontinence and dribbling Urine
2. Warms the Kidneys, Astringes the Essence (Nutmeg):
-Cold and Weak Kidneys and lower back; Edema or excess Urination
-‘Eases pains of the Head, and of the Joints, strengthens the Body, takes away weakness coming of Cold’ (Culpeper)
-Spermatorrhea (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India)
-helps to retain the Kidney Essence
-Aphrodisiac; because it increases the retention of Semen it is therefore used for Premature Ejaculation
3. Warms the Stomach, Promotes Digestion (Nutmeg, Mace; all systems):
-discusses Wind, stops Vomiting
-Cold and weakness of the Stomach/Spleen
-’abates the Spleen’. (Schroder)
-‘epigastric and abdominal distention and pain due to accumulation of Cold’. (Kai Bao Ben Cao)
-‘principal drug in treating infantile diarrhea due to indigestion of milk’. (Wang Ji)
4. Clears Wind and Phlegm, Stops Spasms (Nutmeg, Mace: all systems):
-Cold-Phlegm-Wind conditions of the Brain and Nerves: Headaches, Migraines, Vertigo, Dizziness, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Lethargy, Cramps, Convulsions as well as Comas, Lethargy and Drowsiness (important for Wind diseases in Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine in particular)
–Salmon said the ‘Powers’ of Nutmegs were ‘Inferior to none’ in the treatment of Vertigo.
-special effect in Paralysis.
-traditionally used for loss of Memory, and was said to ‘Quicken the Sight’ and sharpen the Mind and Intellect.
-Cold-Phlegm Lymphatic swellings, Numbness, Rheumatic Arthritis, and pain
5. Benefits the Heart, Moves the Qi and Blood (Nutmeg, Mace; West, Tibet, Ayurveda):
-Warms and regulates the Heart; Cold chest Pain, Palpitations
-Heart disorders in Ayurveda and is considered a specific for Heart-Wind disorders in Tibetan Medicine
-Fainting, Palpitations (Gerard, Salmon)
-Anxiety from Heart Qi deficiency (Tibet)
–Hildegard said it ‘opens the Heart’;
–increases blood circulation
6. Benefits the Womb, Promotes Menstruation (Nutmeg: West, Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine):
-cold and painful menstrual disorders; Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-makes the Womb ‘Fruitful’
-hastens Labor, promotes Birth.
–Schroder said it ‘refreshes the Child in the Womb’
–given after childbirth in India to prevent postpartum Uterine disorders including Sepsis and return the Womb to its usual state.
7. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough (Nutmeg):
-Cold-Phlegm conditions such as hoarseness, Coughs, Bronchitis, Asthma, Wheezing, difficulty Breathing. (Especially Tibetan Medicine)
8. Externally:
-Grated Nutmegs have been used in ointments for piles; it may be heated in ghee or lard for topical application.
-the Oil is used in liniments and plasters as a gentle stimulant.
-cold pains, arthritis, cold swellings etc.
-In India Nutmeg is used as a rub on the gums of teething children, either with Milk or Honey, which also promotes sleep
-externally to promote Sleep, anointed on the Navel for infants Colic (exp. Oil)
Nutmeg & Mace
The 2 are very similar in function and uses. Mace is lighter, sharper and more piercing, having a higher volatile oil content, but is devoid of the tannin content of Nutmeg. Mace also has a signature of being fine capillary-like threads which envelop the seed (Nutmeg). Mace is therefore better for warming and increasing the fine capillary circulation of the Head and Heart.
Nutmeg is deeper and heavier in its action. Its warming astringent nature is focused more on the Kidneys and lower abdomen, and it has secondary tonic effects. It also has an effect of astringing the Qi in the lower body. Nutmeg is the more active of the two and is most used.
Dose:
Nutmeg in Powder: 250mg–3 grams;
Mace in Powder: 250mg–2 grams
Expressed Oil of Nutmegs: 1–2 grains for children; 1–1 ½ scruples for an adult.
Tincture of Nutmeg (1:5 in 50% alcohol: 1–5 mls.
Correctives:
1. Coriander seed
2. Honey
3. Gum Arabic
4. Rose Water
Substitutes:
1. Mace and Nutmeg can generally substitute for one another.
2. Clove or Saffron can be used for Mace
3. As an astringent Chebula can replace Nutmeg
4. “The substitute of Nutmeg is Indian Spikenard either in equal quantity or half of it.” (Avicenna)
Main Combinations:
Clove & Nutmeg
Cinnamon, Clove & Nutmeg
1. Cold-Wind-Phlegm of the Brain and Nerves: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Pyrethrum, Marjoram, Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Clove (Nutmeg Tablets)
2. Cold and Weakness of the Stomach and Brain, Nutmeg, Mace, Clove, Cinnamon, Indian Spikenard, Lesser Cardamon, Emblic Myrobalan (as in Electuary of Javed, Unani)
3. ‘Elixir of Life’: Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon, Clove, Orange peel, Saffron: Cordial, revives the Three Spirits, strengthens Heart, Brain and Nerves.
4. Chronic Diarrhea or Dysentery, Nutmeg, Galls, Clove, Licorice
5. Vomiting, Nutmeg with Wormwood, Mint, Galangal, Quince (as in Decoction Against Vomiting)
6. Wind Diseases:
i. Nutmeg with Chebulic Myrobalan, Frankincense, Aloeswood, Clove, Saffron, Tabasheer, Greater and Lesser Cardamon, Sandalwood (as in the Tibetan Pills Against Wind)
ii. Nutmeg and Mace with Galangal, Cinnamon, Stoechas, Rose, Rosemary, Camomile (as in Powder to Warm the Head)
7. Catarrh, Sinusitis:
i. Nutmeg with Triphala (3 Myrobalans), Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamon, Rosemary, Lavender (as in Wine for Catarrh of Pope Adrian)
ii. Nutmeg and Mace with Balm, Marjoram, Betony, Oregano, Clove, Benzoin, Frankincense (as in Powder for Catarrh)
8. Scrofula in children: Nutmeg, torrefied Bay berries, calcined Deer horn (1 oz. each), Licorice (3 oz.). Powder. Dose: half teassponful, twice a day for a one-year old; one spoonful for 2–4 year olds. (Niemann)
9. Dizziness and Vertigo:
i. Nutmeg with Peony, Coriander, Mistletoe, Galangal, Long Pepper, Ginger, Tormentil, Rosemary (as in Powder for Dizziness and Vertigo)
10. Paralysis:
i. Nutmeg with Licorice, Aniseed, Elecampane, Peony root (as in Electuary for Paralysis)
ii. Nutmeg with Mother of Pearl, Licorice, Tabasheer, Safflower, Lesser Cardamon, Greater Cardamon, Clove (as in Pills of Mother of Pearl of Tibetan Medicine)
11. Childhood Epilepsy, Nutmeg with Peony, Lavender, Amber (as in Powder for Childhood Epilepsy)
12. To benefit Eyesight, Mace with Eyebright and Fennel seed
13. To benefit Memory:
i. Nutmeg and Mace, with Elecampane, Caraway, Cinnamon, Clove (as in Powder Against Forgetfulness)
14. As a sedative, Nutmeg, Meconopsis, Indian Spikenard. This can be used for people coming off sleeping pills or anti-depressants..
15. Heart disease, Angina:
i. Nutmeg with Bdellium, Arjuna
ii. Nutmeg with Myrrh, Saffron, Cinnamon, Licorice
16. Kidney weakness with Threatened Miscarriage Leukorrhea Spermatorrhea Excess Urination, Nutmeg with Water Lily, Sandalwood, Bistort, Date (as in Decoction of Water Lily Compound)
17. Gravel and Stones, Nutmeg with Juniper berry, Bay berry (as in Powder of Maximillian for Gravel)
18. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Nutmeg with Tormentil, Plantain seed (as in Powder for Excessive Menstruation)
ii. Nutmeg with Mussel shell, Coral, Tormentil, Red Earth, Nettle seed, Plantain seed (as in Powder of Mussel Shells Compound)
19. Sexual Debility:
i. Nutmeg powder with Honey and a boiled Egg
ii. Nutmeg with Withania and Asparagus root
iii. Nutmeg with Long Pepper, Cinnamon
20. Threatened Miscarriage, Nutmeg with Clove, Tormentil, Pearl, Red Coral (as in Powder Against Miscarriage)
21. Afterpains following childbirth, Nutmeg with Comfrey, Peach kernel, Amber (as in Powder for After-pains)
22. To penetrate the fine capillary circulation, Mace combines well with Saffron
Major Formulas
Decoction Against Vomiting
Powder of Nutmeg Compound
Powder of Nutmeg for Vertigo
Powder to Warm the Head (Rondeletius)
Powder for Excessive Menstruation
Powder for After-pains (Midwife to the Queen of France)
Powder of Maximillian for Gravel
Powder for Dizzyness and Vertigo (Gabelhover)
Confection for Dizziness and Vertigo
Troches of Nutmeg (Rhasis)
Pills of Nishat (Unani)
Tincture for Apoplexy
Electuary for Paralysis (Wirtzung)
Aloeswood 8 (Tibetan Medicine)
Aloeswood 15 (Tibetan Medicine)
Eleven Holders of Life (Srog dzin dcu gcig) (Tibetan Medicine)
Camphor 14 (Tibetan Medicine)
Golden 11 (Gser mdog 11) (Tibetan Medicine)
Nutmeg Powder (Jatiphaladi Churna) (Ayurveda)
Nutmeg 3 Decoction (Dza ti gsum thang) (Tibetan)
Nutmeg 5 (Dza ti lnga pa)
Nutmeg 14 (Dza ti bcu bzhi)
Pills of Mother of Pearl of Tibetan Medicine
Si Shen Wan
Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang
1. Compound Spirit of Nutmeg:
i. Nutmeg (2 parts), Lemon peel, Orange peel, Balm, Crisp Mint (1 part each), Proof Spirit (64 parts), Water (192 parts). Distil 48 parts. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
Cautions:
1. Not used in Heat-type Diarrhea
2. Avoid overdose. Doses of 5 grams have been associated with hallucinations, dizziness and tachycardia.
Drug Interaction:
Use cautiously or avoid in those taking barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, antidepressants and antihypertensives.
Toxicity:
Oral LD50 for Nutmeg oil is 2600 mg/kg in rats, 4620 mg/kg in mice, and 6000 mg/kg in hamsters
Nutmeg Poisonings: A Retrospective Review of 10 Years Experience from the Illinois Poison Center, 2001–2011
Main Preparations used:
Candied Nutmegs, Confection of Mace, Distilled Water of Nutmegs, Distilled and Expressed Oils of Nutmegs, Tincture of Nutmeg, Salts of the Ashes, Extract of Nutmegs, Balsams
1. Tincture of Mace:
i. Mace (1 part), Rectified Spirit (10 parts); digest 8 days in a moderate heat; express and filter.
2. Spirit of Nutmeg:
i. Nutmeg bruised (2 oz.), Proof Spirit (1 gallon), Water (sufficient to prevent burning); distil one gallon with a gentle heat. (London)
3. Expressed Oil of Nutmeg:
i. Nutmegs rasped (any quantity); reduce to a paste by triturating in a heated marble mortar; enclose the paste in a hair-bag, press between two heated tin plates, melt the oil and strain through linen. (Pharmacopoeia Hispana, 1798)
ii. Bruise Nutmegs in a mortar; work the mass on a heated slab, boil in water till the oil separates, then remove from the surface when it becomes cold and solidified. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)