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Nutmeg (West Indian)

Nhục đậu khấu Tây Ấn

Myristica fragrans

Grenadian nutmeg

Myristicaceae · Hạt · Seeds · Steam-distilled


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

Safety

Psychoactive at high dose · Pregnancy restricted

West Indian has lower safrole than East Indian but is still not safe at high doses.

Myristicin and elemicin still present. High doses can cause hallucinations and nausea.

Not recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Oral caution, only at very low doses if used at all.


Usage guidelines

Maximum dermal level
2.0 percent
Contraindications
Pregnancy, breastfeeding
Storage
Dark, sealed, refrigerated

Chemistry

Volatile constituents
Sabinene42.0 – 57.0 %
α-Pinene1.6 – 12.6 %
β-Pinene7.8 – 12.1 %
Terpinen-4-ol3.0 – 6.4 %
γ-Terpinene1.7 – 4.7 %
(+)-Limonene2.9 – 4.4 %
α-Terpinene0.8 – 4.2 %
β-Myrcene2.2 – 3.4 %
Elemicin1.2 – 1.4 %

Botanical source

West Indian nutmeg refers to oil from the Caribbean, particularly Grenada, where nutmeg is the national commercial crop ('Spice Island').

Grenada started cultivating nutmeg in the 19th century after trees were brought from Indonesia. Slightly different chemistry due to different soil and climate.

Family Myristicaceae.


Notes

West Indian nutmeg oil is considered 'safer' than East Indian due to lower safrole and methyl eugenol, but still carries psychoactive risk at high doses.

In cosmetics and food flavoring, West Indian is preferred for non-food applications.