In keeping with our last post, we’ll focus on another oil that is commonly found in Holiday Blends and products. The oil I’m referring to is Nutmeg essential oil, also called by it’s Latin name, Myristica fragrans.
Nutmeg grows on an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 meters high. It bears bright red, fleshy fruit. The outside husk gets dried to produce Mace, while the seeds are dried and then steam distilled to produce Nutmeg essential oil. This particular evergreen tree is quite unique because every parts of the tree is incredibly aromatic, unlike most other trees.
Nutmeg is native to the Ambonia and Banda Islands in the Moluccas, Indonesia. It is almost completely unheard of to find this tree as a wild plant, because it’s so popular as a spice. These days though, it can be found commercially cultivated in Grenada, Sri Lanka as well as Indonesia.
Nutmeg has a long history of being used for the flavoring of food as well as medicinal purposes. One of it’s first records was in Sanskrit as ‘jai phal’ and likely arrived by trade from the Hindu colonists of Java.
Nutmeg essential oil stimulates the heart and circulation, while activating the mind and can revive people from fainting spells. It is also very stimulating to the digestive system and perfect for fighting nausea.
Precautions: Nutmeg essential oil is not recommended during pregnancy. Psychotropic effects have been reported when the whole nutmeg is consumed. There is very little information, however some data suggests that other synergistic elements need to be present for these effects to take place. Tisserand feels that both the West Indian and the East Indian variety are safe to use in Aromatherapy, while the West Indian variety is safer because of it’s lower Safrole and methyleugenol content. However, neither variety should ever be ingested.
Beyond the previously mentioned benefits to this essential oil, it can also encourage appetite, fight gallstones and relive constipation. While it can also be very beneficial for the reproductive system by helping to regulate scanty periods. Perhaps one of my favorite uses for this oil is for the relief of pain and reducing inflammation. I find it has a lovely warming effect to it, which is very soothing – especially for tired and sore muscles.
Having gained a little more insight into some of the benefits of this essential oil, what are some of the new ways you will be using your favorite holiday blends?