Mace Oil
Mace oil is extracted from the arils of the mace fruit. The Mace tree is a member of the Myristicaceae plant family. This plant is a native to the Moluccas (the Spice Islands). Mace is a large tropical evergreen tree. This grows to an average height of 12 m and also reaches a maximum height of 20 m. The bark of this tree is grayish-green in color. The yellow colored juice secreted by this bark turns red when it gets oxidized. The leaves of this tree are oval shaped and dark green in color. These leaves measure about 10 cm long and form dense foliage, helping to form thick branches. Mace trees are dioecious in nature. It means they have separate male and female plants. The flowers of mace are bell-shaped and yellow in color. The flowers develop into a yellow color fruit, which is known as drupe. This fruit is fleshy and grooved like an apricot and measures about 2 to 4 inches. The ideal time for getting seeds from this fruit is when the fruit is fully ripe. This tree produces two types of spices namely, mace and nutmeg. Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside the fruit of this plant and mace is the lacy covering (aril) on the seed kernel. The mature fruit splits open to release a bright-red aril which covers a reddish-brown brittle shell. The Nutmeg lies within this shell. The net-like aril is called as mace and turns yellowish-brown upon drying.
Mace oil is extracted by steam distillation method from the arils of mace fruit. This oil is pale yellow in color with a watery viscosity. Both Mace oil as well as Nutmeg oil has the tendency to change color and odor when they turn old. Mace oil has a hot, spicy, pleasant, acidic and strong aroma. The major producers of Mace oil are Canada, Singapore and USA.
Latin name: Myristica Fragrans.
Alternative names: Nutmeg, Rou Dou Kou.
Mace tree prefers rich volcanic soils. It grows well in hot and humid climatic conditions of the tropical regions. These plants are cultivated by sowing the seeds in nursery beds for about six months after which, they are transplanted. Mace trees generally take 5 years for flowering. The sex of the plant is identified by its flowering. While male plants are thinned out, the critical fact is that the ratio of male plant is to female plant is 1:10. The tree attains full maturity only after 15 years and then, starts bearing fruits. It continues for about 50 years. A normal mature tree can produce up to 2,000 nutmegs per year. The fruits are harvested and the mace and the nutmeg are separated. The mace oil contains volatile oils, myristicin, geraniol, butyric acid, terpineol, alpha-pinene, safrole, beta-pinene, formic acid, linalool, alpha-terpinene, elincin, beta-terpinene, camphene, dipentene, sapol and pinene.
Uses: Mace oil is used in the treatment of cardiac disorders, pre-menstrual pain, digestive troubles like colic and flatulence. This oil is also used as an effective stimulant for the brain and the cardiac system.
