N
Dosages (Nutmeg) — 0.3–1 g powdered nutmeg (APA; PNC); 0.05–0.2 ml EO (APA; PNC); 5–20
grains nutmeg (FEL); 300–600 mg 5–10 ×/day (HHB); 1–3 drops EO, 2–3 ×/day (PH2); 2–10 ml
tincture/day (PH2); 0.3–1 g powdered nutmeg (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Nutmeg) — Class 2b. Contains safrole. May
interact with MAO. CNS-active (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic
dosages” (PH2). Not to be used during pregnancy. Can trigger allergic dermatitis (PH2). More than
5 g powdered nutmeg or mace can cause acute panic, anxiety, coma, dizziness, double vision,
drowsiness, excessive thirst, hallucinations, headache, liver pain, nausea, stomach pain, even death
(AHP). “... as little as 2 whole nutmegs have been known to cause death in a little boy” (APA; FEL).
Commission E reports contraindications for seed and aril: psychic disturbances by 5 g of seed,
atropine-like action by 9 teaspoons of seed powder, abortion by higher doses. The EO contains the
mutagenic and animal carcinogenic compound safrole. However, the use to correct smell or taste is
permitted (AEH). On overdose, there may be hallucination and emesis; there may be frightening
visions, a sensation of loss of limbs and a terrifying fear of impending death. Indeed, death has been
reported from overdose (LRNP, September 1987).
NUX VOMICA (Strychnos nux-vomica L.) X
Activities (Nux Vomica) — Abortifacient (f; CRC); Alexeteric (f; KAB); Analgesic (1; APA);
Antipyretic (f; KAB); Antitumor (f; APA); Aphrodisiac (1; CRC; DEP; FEL; KAP; WOI); Bitter
(f; APA); Cholinolytic (1; PH2); CNS Stimulant (f; APA; CRC; WOI); Convulsant (1; KAP; WOI);
Diuretic (f; KAB); Emmenagogue (f; KAB); Insecticide (1; WOI); Laxative (f; CRC); Nervine (f;
APA; CRC); Neurotonic (f; CRC); Orexigenic (f; KAB; PHR; PH2); Parasiticide (1; CRC); Peri-
staltic (f; DEP); Poison (f; CRC); Priapistic (f; FEL); Psychoanaleptic (1; PH2); Respirastimulant
(1; WOI); Secretagogue (1; PH2); Spinostimulant (f; CRC; KAP); Stimulant (f; APA; CRC);
Stomachic (f; CRC; MAD; WOI); Tetanic (1; KAP); Tonic (f; APA; CRC; FEL; PH2); Vasocon-
strictor (f; CRC; EFS).
Indications (Nux Vomica) — Ague (f; CRC); Alcoholism (f; CRC; HHB); Amaurosis (f; FEL;
MAD); Amblyopia (f; CRC; FEL; WOI); Amenorrhea (f; FEL; KAB); Anemia (f; CRC; KAB;
KOM; PHR; PH2); Anorexia (f; APA; KAB; PH2); Arthrosis (f; CRC); Asthma (f; CRC; FEL;
PH2); Atony (f; FEL; KAB); Bell’s Palsy (f; APA); Bite (f; DEP); Borborygmus (f; FEL); Bron-
chosis (f; DEP; PH2); Cancer (f; APA; CRC; JLH; PH2); Cancer, abdomen (f; PH2); Cancer, colon
(f; JAD); Cardiopathy (f; PHR; PH2); Catarrh (f; FEL); Cholera (f; CRC; DEP; FEL; KAP; SUW);
Chorea (f; CRC; FEL; WOI); Circulosis (f; PH2); Climacteric (f; PH2); Colic (f; CRC; FEL; KAP;
SUW); Conjunctivosis (f; FEL); Constipation (f; CRC; FEL; PH2); Cynanche (f; CRC); Cystosis
(f; FEL; MAD); Debility (f; DEP; KAB); Depression (f; APA; PHR; PH2); Dermatosis (f; CRC;
PH2); Diabetes (f; MAD; PH2); Diarrhea (f; FEL); Dipsomania (f; FEL); Diphtheria (f; CRC);
Dizziness (f; PH2); Dysentery (f; CRC; FEL; SUW); Dysmenorrhea (f; FEL); Dyspepsia (f; CRC;
KAP; MAD; SUW); Dysuria (f; KAB); Emphysema (f; DEP); Enterosis (f; APA; FEL; PHR; PH2);
Epilepsy (f; CRC; KAB; WOI); Fatigue (f; WOI); Fever (f; CRC; FEL; KAB; PH2; SUW); Frigidity
(f; FEL); Fungus (f; KAB); Gastrosis (f; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2; SUW); Headache (f; PH2);
Heartburn (f; FEL); Hemiplegia (f; MAD); Hemorrhoid (f; KAB; PH2); Hepatosis (f; FEL);
Hyperemesis (f; FEL); Hysteria (f; FEL); Impotence (1; FEL; FNF; KAP); Incontinence (1; FEL;
KAP); Infection (f; DEP); Inflammation (f; FEL; PH2); Insomnia (f; PH2); Itch (f; CRC); Jaundice
(f; CRC; KAB); Keratosis (f; FEL); Laryngosis (f; CRC); Leprosy (f; KAB); Leukoderma (f; KAB);
Lumbago (f; CRC; KAB; MAD; PH2); Malaria (f; CRC; DEP; PH2); Migraine (f; APA; PHR;
PH2); Mycosis (f; KAB); Myocardosis (f; CRC; WOI); Myosis (f; PH2); Neuralgia (f; CRC; PH2);
Neurasthenia (f; APA; CRC); Neurosis (f; KAP; PHR; PH2); Ophthalmia (f; CRC; PHR; PH2);
Pain (1; APA; KAB; PH2); Paralysis (f; APA; CRC; KAB; PH2); Parasite (1; CRC); Paresis (f;