The health benefits of nutmeg oil may include its ability to relieve stress, pain, menstrual cramps, heart disorders, indigestion, blood pressure, cough, and bad breath. The health benefits of nutmeg oil can be attributed to its medicinal properties such as its role as a sedative, stimulant, relaxing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and bactericidal substance.
Nutmeg has the Latin name Myristica fragrans. It may also be known by other common names in various countries as mace, muscadier, magic, muskatbaum, noz moscada, myristica, nuez moscada, and nux moschata.
The nutmeg tree grows very tall and may reach up to seventy feet in height. Nutmeg oil may be obtained from the seed of the nutmeg tree fruit. The fruit, when dried, produces nutmeg (the seed) and mace (the covering). Traditionally, nutmeg was believed to be effective against the plague and hence it was popular during the Elizabethan era. [1]
Nutmeg oil is a volatile essential oil from nutmeg. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Health Benefits of Nutmeg Oil
The health benefits of nutmeg oil include the following:
May Reduce Pain
Nutmeg oil may be very useful for treating muscular and joint pain as it is an excellent sedative. It may also be anti-inflammatory, so massaging nutmeg oil on the affected area might be an effective treatment for arthritis, rheumatism, and lumbago. Nutmeg oil may be an essential part of Chinese medicine when it comes to treating abdominal pain and inflammation. It might also reduce swelling of the joints. Often, overexertion may lead to body or muscle ache, and in such cases, this oil can be very useful in removing the pain. [3]
May Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Some women may face menstrual irregularities and suffer from menstrual cramps. Nutmeg oil may be very helpful for these women, and it can also reduce the associated symptoms of periods like mood swings and hormone imbalance.
May Have Anticonvulsant Properties
Nutmeg oil may be able to treat seizures. In a 2009 study by Wahab A et al. nutmeg oil was found to have therapeutic properties which might prove to be effective in preventing and treating partial as well as grand mal seizures. [4]
May Treat Indigestion
Nutmeg oil may be good for digestion and might help in relieving stomach aches and removing gas from the stomach and intestines. Therefore, it is good for indigestion, flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also encourage an increase in appetite. Care should be taken when consuming nutmeg oil, and it should only be applied internally in low doses.
May Improve Blood Circulation
Nutmeg oil may be a good stimulant, not only for the mind but also for the rest of the body. Its relaxing aroma might help comfort the body, increase blood circulation, and therefore, help those who have poor blood circulation.
May Help Treat Respiratory Problems
Nutmeg oil may form an important ingredient in many cough syrups and cold rubs as it might help in relieving congestion and cold symptoms. It may also be believed that this oil can be used for treating asthma.
May Improve Cognition
Nutmeg oil may help stimulate the brain and therefore might help remove mental exhaustion and stress. It is also believed that this oil improves the quality of your dreams, making them more intense, colorful, and positive. It may be a good remedy for anxiety. The oil may often be used in homeopathy. In the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, nutmeg was popular as an effective brain tonic in spite of its high cost and rarity. It also might enhance concentration and increase your overall efficiency at study and work.
May Prevent Heart Problems
Nutmeg oil may also stimulate the cardiovascular system and is therefore considered a good tonic for the heart.
May Eliminate Bad Breath
The woody aroma of nutmeg oil may help remove bad breath. It may also be antiseptic in nature and is effective for toothaches and aching gums. As a result, it might also be added to numerous toothpaste and mouthwashes.
Nutmeg oil helps to soothe digestion. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Help Treat Liver Disease
An important health benefit of nutmeg oil may be its ability to treat liver disease. The oil can be capable of removing toxins from the liver, thereby making it a good liver tonic.
May Improve Kidney Health
Nutmeg oil may often be recommended for treating kidney infections and kidney diseases. It may also help in dissolving kidney stones and accumulated uric acid in other parts of the body, like those which lead to gout and joint inflammation.
Other Benefits of Nutmeg & Its Oil
Spice: The herb is very popular as a spice and is often used for culinary purposes. In cooking, nutmeg is versatile and can be used in potato dishes and meat preparations in Europe, garam masala in India, and as a curry ingredient in Japan.
Incense: Nutmeg is used in various incense sticks due to its woody fragrance. It is also believed that Roman priests used to burn nutmeg as incense.
Flavor: Nutmeg, or Jaiphal as it is called in Hindi, is a very popular flavoring agent in making sweets in India. It is also used in baked goods, sauces, ice cream, and custards. Certain coffee drinks, including cappuccino, are flavored using nutmeg and cinnamon.
Soaps: The antiseptic properties of nutmeg may make it useful in the manufacturing of antiseptic soaps. Nutmeg essential oil may be used for bathing as well, due to its refreshing nature.
Cosmetics: Since nutmeg oil is antibacterial and antiseptic, it may be used in many cosmetics meant for dull, oily or wrinkled skin. It may also be used in making after shave lotions and creams.
Room Freshener: Nutmeg oil can be used as a room freshener, again due to its woody and pleasant aroma.
Tobacco: This oil is commonly used in the tobacco industry to change the flavor of the tobacco blend slightly.
Blending: This oil blends well with many other essential oils including lavender, rosemary, orange, black pepper, clary sage, eucalyptus, ginger, and ylang-ylang oils.
