Nutmeg-Perfect Essential Oil for the Holidays
Family – Myristicaceae
Origin – Indonesia, Grenada, Sri Lanka
Plant Description – small evergreen tree growing up to 50 feet tall with small, bell-shaped, waxy, creamy-colored flowers and large fruits.
Part of plant used for essential oil – nut/fruit
Extraction Method – steam distillation.
Main Chemical Constituents – West Indian: sabinene (42-57%), α-pinene (1.6-12.6%), β-pinene (7.8-12.1%), terpinene-4-ol (3-6.4%), γ-terpinene (1.7-4.7%), limonene (2.9-4.4%), α-terpinene, β-myrcene, p-cymene, sabinene hydrate, and others including safrole and methyl eugenol.
PRECAUTIONS – potentially carcinogenic from safrole and methyl eugenol content, psychotropic in high doses, not for extended use, dermal max 5% (West Indian) and 0.8% (East Indian).
PROPERTIES – analgesic, anti-infectious, antiseptic, calmative, carminative, digestive, nervine, sedative, and spasmolytic. (Base note)
MAIN USES
Circulatory – increases circulation and is warming.
Digestive – reduces gastrointestinal spasms, nausea, upset stomach, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, parasites, and is an appetite stimulant.
Mental/Emotional – reduces insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, and tension.
Muscular/Skeletal – reduces rheumatism, arthritis, muscular aches, pains, and muscular injury.
The spice of nutmeg is native to just a few islands of Indonesia, and it has been rarely found in the wild since its popularity as a spice. Nutmeg has been used worldwide as a food flavoring and as medicine for centuries, and its sources have been equally coveted. This obsession with controlling the nutmeg trade eventually led the Dutch destroying competing nutmeg plantations in 1650.
Mada Shaunda is the Ayurvedic name for nutmeg, which means “narcotic fruit.” Powdered nutmeg is used as snuff in Indonesia, and local Zanzibar people have chewed nutmegs as an alternative to marijuana, with similar effects.
Western and Chinese herbalists have used nutmegs to reduce sore muscles, digestive discomfort, abdominal pain, and sedatives. Nutmeg is also used for inflammatory conditions, joint and muscle pain, and liver issues.
All-Spice Diffuser Blend or Room Spritzer
A “spice” essential oil blend is perfect to set an ambiance for an aromatic holiday.
Mix the following essential oils into a 2 oz for a room spritzer blend, in a glass bottle with a spray top:
Mix the following essential oils into 1 tbsp. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
· 4 drops Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
· 4 drops Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
· 4 drops Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
· 3 drops Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Pour the essential oil mixture into the bottle, shake, and then top it off with purified water. Spray into the corners of the room. This blend is not intended as a facial or body spray, bath, or topical application. Many of these essential oils are skin irritants.
However, this combination offers antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral chemical components and a fabulous aroma!
Holiday Preparation Blog https://www.learnaroma.com/single-post/2019/12/16/preparing-for-the-holidays
REFERENCES
Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, third edition, Zilmere GLD, Australia, The Perfect Potion, 2018, pp. 437-443.
“Nutmeg Essential Oil”, AromaWeb, https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/nutmeg-oil.asp, Accessed 10 June 2021.
Purchon, Nerys, and L. Cantele, The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, Toronto, ON, Robert Rose, Inc., 2014, p. 90.
Tisserand, Robert, and Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety, second edition, London, UK, Churchill Livingston, 2014, pp. 366-367.
Worwood, Valerie, Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Novato, CA: New World Library, 2016.
Many thanks and appreciation to Laura Armstrong, our Professional Aromatherapy student, for sharing her Nutmeg profile information.
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