Friday, October 10, 2025

NUTMEG

 NUTMEG

Botanically named Myristica fragrans –an evergreen tree, native to Caribbean islands and grows in Malabar region of Kerala. Fruit, seed and ‘mace’ from the fruit are popular as spice. The fruit is “JADHIKKAAI” mace is “Jadhipathri’ in Tamil.

 Essential oil and butter are also derived from nutmeg.

Fruits are formed in trees-  7-9 years old and thereafter.

Nutmeg fruit/seed spices, as also mace spices are said to be psychoactive and Aphrodisiac –though need experimental confirmation.

Several cultures use these spices for their fragrance and mild inductive effect. But high doses of Nutmeg products can turn toxic and lead to psychosis. Such psychological/ neurological responses are due to ‘Anticholinergic/ Hallucinogenic mechanisms from biochemical reactions.  

Some effects like Palpitation /convulsions/ nausea can arise from high dose.

Myristicin –a mono amine oxidase inhibitor is known to cause physiological disturbances resulting in convulsions/ nausea or palpitations. But most such disturbances arise from high doses of nutmeg products.

In South India, the flesh skin of Nutmeg fruits is used for making Nutmeg pickles. Seeds are used as domestic medicine [Jadhikkai]

Mace is used for spicing food, pawn [betel chewing] and it is a flat orange colored layer of outgrowths around the seed [Jadhi pathri]  

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NUTMEG

  NUTMEG Botanically named Myristica fragrans –an evergreen tree, native to Caribbean islands and grows in Malabar region of Kerala. Fruit...