546/NUTMEG PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESmonths after flowering. The fruit is fleshy, almost round,
acuminate at the stem end, 3 to 6 cm long and 2.5 to 5 cm
thick. The fruit is light yellow and about the size of a peach.
The fruit flesh bursts open when ripe and exposes the bright
red seed's aril that surrounds the dark brown seed. Within
the aril, the seed kernel is covered in a hard brown testis that
shows the marks of the aril.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Nutmeg is an evergreen tree up to 15
m in height. The smooth bark is green on the young
branches, then turns grayish-brown. The alternate leaves are
dark green, entire-margined, sharp edged, short-petioled,
ovate-elliptical and up to 8 cm long.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Molucca Islands and
New Guinea and has spread to Indonesia, the West Indies
and other tropical areas, where it also is cultivated.
Production: Nutmeg is the seed of Myristica fragrans. After
harvesting, the nut is shelled and dried (maximum 45° C),
and the seed is opened after 4 to 8 weeks. The lacy, fleshy
covering of the nut, which is scarlet when fresh and dark
orange when dried, yields Nutmeg and Mace. After being
separated, both parts are dried slowly. The nut is ground and
then distilled. Nutmeg butter is made by pressing and
steaming the nuts to extract the fatty and essential oils from
the seeds.Not to be Confused With: Several other nuts are often given
the name nutmeg. Confusion may occur with calabash
nutmeg (Monodora myristica), Papua nutmeg (Myristica
succedanea) and Myristica malabarica, Laurelia sempervi-
rens, Atherosperma moschatum, Ravensara aromatica, Cryp-
tocarya moschata, Torreya californica. Nutmeg oil is
sometimes confused with the oil from the green leaves of
Myristica^fragrans.
Other NameSx^M&ce^ .-~ - «•
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS: NUTMEG
Volatile oil (7-16%)
Fatty oil (30-40%): fatty acids including among others
lauric, myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, heptadecanoic,
stearic, oleic acid
Triterpene saponins
Sterols: including among others beta-sitosterol, campesterol
COMPOUNDS: NUTMEG OIL
Monoterpene hydrocarbons 80%): including sabinene
(39%), alpha-pinene (13%), beta-pinene (9%)
monoterpene alcohols (5%): including 1,8-cineole (3.5%)phenyl propane derivatives (10 to 18%): including myristicin
(2 to 5%), elemicin (1 to 2.5%)
Fatty oil (30 to 40%) in the nutmeg oil rendered through
pressing
EFFECTS
In animal experiments, the eugenol in the essential oil
inhibits, dose-dependently, medicinally induced diarrhea and
slows down the transport of active carbon in the gastrointes-
tinal tract. An effect on prostaglandin synthesis and an
antimicrobial effect have also been demonstrated. The use of
the drug for dysentery and rheumatic complaints seems
plausible.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Internal folk medicine uses of nutmeg
include diarrhea and dysentery, inflammation of the stomach
membranes, cramps, flatulence and vomiting. Externally, the
oil is used for rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia and disorders
of the upper respiratory tract.
Chinese Medicine: Indications include diarrhea, vomiting
and digestive problems.
Indian Medicine: Indications in Indian medicine include
headaches, poor vision, insomnia, fever and malaria, cholera,
impotence and general debility.
Homeopathic Uses: Among uses in homeopathy are nervous
physical symptoms, digestive problems with flatulence and
disturbed perception.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug is not to be used during pregnancy.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. However, the drug can trigger allergic contact
dermatitis.
OVERDOSAGE: NUTMEG SEED AND OIL
Ingestion of 1 to 3 "nuts" (or even fewer) can produce
amphetamine derivatives through bioconversion of the
phenylpropane derivatives in the human body. This eventual-
ly leads to intense thirst, nausea, reddening and swelling of
the face, and alterations of consciousness from mild changes,
such as anxiety or lethargy, to intensive hallucinations. The
stupor can last from 2 to 3 days. The therapy for poisonings
consists of gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomit-
ing, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium per-
manganate solution, sodium sulfate), and installation of
activated charcoal. That is followed by treating spasms
intravenously with diazepam; treating colic with atropine;
electrolyte substitution; and treating possible cases of
acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In case of shock,
plasma volume expanders should be infused. Monitoring of
kidney function is essential. Intubation and oxygen respira-
tion may also be necessary.