Nutmeg Oil
Nutmeg oil is extracted from the ground nutmeg seeds. This plant is a native to the Moluccas, Indonesia. Nutmeg tree is a member of the Myristicaceae plant family. This is a large tropical evergreen tree that grows up to an average height of 12 m and reaches a maximum height of 20 m. 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. The bark of this tree is grayish-green in color. The yellow colored juice secreted by this bark turns red when it gets oxidized. Nutmeg trees are dioecious in nature with separate male and female plants. The Nutmeg flowers are bell-shaped and yellow in color. These flowers develop into a yellow color fruit, popularly known as drupe. This fleshy fruit is grooved like an apricot and measures about 2 to 4 inches. The ideal time for extracting the seeds from these fruits are when the fruits are 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.
Nutmeg oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dried nutmeg seeds. This oil has a spicy, sharp, natural and musky aroma. Nutmeg oil blends well with rosemary oil, cypress oil, orange oil, clary sage oil, geranium oil and black pepper oil. It is colorless to pale yellow in color with the taste of the original nutmeg.
Latin name: Myristica Fragrans.
Alternative names: Jatiphala, Rou Dou Kou, Nux moschata, Myristica officinalis, Myristica oromata.
Nutmeg 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. Nutmeg trees generally take 5 years for flowering. 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. Nutmeg oil contains camphene, limonene, volatile oils, a-phellandrene, myristicin, beta-terpinene, geraniol, eugenol, myristicin, sabinene, borneol, terpinen-4-ol, linalool, safrole, butyric acid, terpineol, methyl eugenol, alpha-pinene, b-pinene, a-terpinene, myrcene, 1,8-cineole and y-terpinene. Nutmeg oil has laxative, tonic, antispasmodic, parturient, carminative, antiseptic, emenagogue, analgesic, stimulant, antirheumatic and digestive properties.
Uses: Nutmeg oil is used to treat rheumatic pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, inflammation, constipation and impotence. This oil is said to stimulate the reproductive system, cardiac system, circulatory system and the digestive system.
