PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Myristica fragrans
Ingredients: Pure nutmeg oil
Aroma: Spicy, nutty, soft sweet aroma
Benefits: Energizing, stimulating, warming
Mixes Well With: Cinnamon bark oil, clove oil, orange oil, or vanilla concentrate oil
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled from nutmeg seeds
Physical Characteristics:
Specific Gravity: 0.880-0.910
Refractive Index: 1.474-1.488
Purity Tested/Quality Assured
Natural essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with care.
What Is Nutmeg Oil?
Nutmeg essential oil is obtained by steam-distilling the dried kernels of the ripe seeds of the nutmeg. This fruit is native to Moluccas Island, also known as the Spice Islands, but is also grown in Java (Indonesia), Penang (Malaysia), and Sri Lanka.The evergreen tree from which nutmeg is derived also produces another type of spice: mace.
The essential oil of nutmeg was used by various civilizations:Indians used it to help treat intestinal problems, while the Egyptians used it for embalming the dead. During the Elizabethan era, nutmeg oil was believed to be effective against the plague and gained great popularity, but with a high price.
Nutmeg oil was also used in Ayurvedic practices, mainly for treating fever, respiratory problems, headaches, and digestive discomfort.Today, the essential oil is added to soap, candles, dental products, and personal care products.
Uses of Nutmeg Oil
Nutmeg oil has a long list of uses, aside from being a natural cure for common health conditions. Below are just some of many uses it is known for:
- Address bad breath — Nutmeg oil, when used as a gargle, helps address bad breath. It can also help eliminate toxins from your gut that may contribute to foul-smelling breath.
- Massage oil — When used as one, nutmeg essential oil can help relieve muscle pain, swelling, inflammation, and even promote circulation. Oil of nutmeg can also be used as a natural painkiller and treat menstrual discomfort.
- Sleeping aid — Nutmeg oil has a sedative and calming effect. It can relieve stress, helping improve the quality of sleep and make dreams more intense and colorful.
- Stimulant — Nutmeg oil can help remove exhaustion and treat anxiety-related symptoms. It can also enhance your concentration.
- Detoxification agent — This oil helps remove toxins from your liver and kidneys, as well as helps dissolve kidney stones and uric acid.
- Flavoring agent — To replace ground nutmeg, which can leave food particles in food and beverages, nutmeg oil has been used as a natural flavoring extrac
Composition of Nutmeg Oil
There are several types of nutmeg oil, and their compositions vary greatly depending on where the plant was cultivated. However, studies have shown similarities between the East Indian oils (those produced in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia) and the West Indian samples (oils created in Grenada and the Caribbean).
The main constituents of nutmeg essential oil found in both varieties include sabiene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, terpenes, safrole, and myristicin.West Indian oils often have higher amounts of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and sabiene (which comprise about 40 to 50 percent of the oil), but have low amounts of safrole and myristicin. On the other hand, East Indian oils have more myristicin content.
Benefits of Nutmeg Oil
Numerous studies have already shown that nutmeg essential oil and its chemical compounds have beneficial properties that make it useful for the prevention of various conditions.
In one research, it was found that the nutmeg essential oil contained several phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, and glycosides. This finding demonstrated nutmeg oil’s efficacy against various infectious diseases. Furthermore, nutmeg oil showed potent antimicrobial activity against the following infectious pathogenic strains: Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Experiments in animal studies determined that the essential oil of nutmeg possessed anti-carcinogenic properties, as the compounds in the oil interfere with the activities of enzymes involved with the activation and detoxification of xenobiotic substances, such as carcinogens and mutagens.
In both Western and Eastern medicine, nutmeg oil is known for its stimulant, carminative, astringent, deodorizing, narcotic, and aphrodisiac properties. It is used to potentially address health problems such as:
- Kidney stones, and bladder and urinary tract inflammation
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Digestive issues, such as dyspepsia and flatulence
- Impotence
- Insomnia
- Skin conditions
- Joint and muscle pain
- Menstrual cramps and hormonal imbalance
- Low blood pressure
- Respiratory problems, such as colds and asthma