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Nutmeg (East Indian)

Nhục đậu khấu Đông Ấn

Myristica fragrans

Indonesian nutmeg, Banda nutmeg

Myristicaceae · Hạt · Seeds · Steam-distilled


Nutmeg (East Indian) essential oil (Myristica fragrans) — botanical illustration
Myristica fragrans

Safety

Psychoactive at high dose · Pregnancy restricted

Myristicin and safrole are the main toxicity-related constituents. High doses can produce psychoactive effects, nausea, and hallucinations.

Methyl eugenol may be present (0.1-1.2%), a suspected carcinogen.

In a mouse study, high-dose East Indian nutmeg oil reduced fertility from 95 percent (control) to 32 percent (highest dose). Chromosomal damage was seen in some male offspring.

Low dermal concentration recommended.

Not recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Avoid large oral doses, clinical cases of nutmeg poisoning from recreational use are documented.


Usage guidelines

Maximum dermal level
0.8 percent
Contraindications
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, high oral doses
Storage
Dark, sealed, refrigerated

Chemistry

Volatile constituents
Sabinene15.0 – 36.0 %
α-Pinene10.0 – 22.0 %
β-Pinene7.0 – 18.0 %
Myristicin5.0 – 12.0 %
(+)-Limonene2.7 – 4.1 %
α-Terpineol0.1 – 1.4 %
Terpinen-4-ol0.5 – 3.0 %
Safrole0.3 – 3.3 %
Elemicin0.5 – 4.0 %
Methyleugenol0.1 – 1.2 %

Botanical source

Myristica fragrans is a tropical tree native to the Banda Islands, Indonesia. East Indian nutmeg refers to oil from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, or other Southeast Asian regions.

The seed is the inner part of the fruit, surrounded by the red aril which is mace.

The essential oil is distilled from dried seeds. Main production: Indonesia.

Family Myristicaceae.


Notes

East Indian has higher safrole and methyl eugenol than West Indian, a more hazardous toxicology profile.

Strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 of 0.13 μL/mL).

Nutmeg oil contains both carcinogens (methyl eugenol, safrole) and anticarcinogens ((+)-limonene, myristicin). Not mutagenic in the Ames test.