Nutmeg has long been lauded as possessing or imparting magical powers. A sixteenth century monk is on record as advising young men to carry vials of nutmeg oil and at the appropriate time, to anoint their genitals for virility that would see them through several days.
Tucking a nutmeg into the left armpit before attending a social event was believed to attract admirers. Nutmegs were often used as amulets to protect against a wide variety of dangers and evils; from boils to rheumatism to broken bones and other misfortunes.
In the Middle Ages carved wooden imitations were even sold in the streets. People carried nutmegs everywhere and many wore little graters made of silver, ivory or wood, often with a compartment for the nuts.Nutmeg is not a nut and does not pose a risk to people with nut allegies. Allergy to nutmeg does occur, but seems to be rather rare.
The fruit of the nutmeg tree is fleshy like an apricot and about 2-4 inches in length. Upon ripening, it splits in half, exposing a bright-red, netlike aril wrapped around a dark reddish-brown and brittle shell within which lies a single seed. The net-like aril is mace, which on drying turns from red to yellowish or orange brown. The dried brown seed, after the shell is broken and discarded, is nutmeg.
Nutmeg and mace have been used for centuries to
treat gas, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and other stomach as well as kidney problems. Mix thoroughly 1-1/2 tsps. of powdered slippery elm bark and dashes of powdered nutmeg and mace together with a little cold water in order to form a smooth paste that's not lumpy. Then bring a pint of half-and-half to the boiling point, removing immediately from the heat and quickly adding the powdered herb and spice paste. Keep stirring with a wooden ladle for about half a minute until the paste is thoroughly mixed in. Let it cool until lukewarm before drinking 1/2 cup. Repeat this procedure three times daily, always drinking the mixture warm to help heal stomach problems.
PARTS USEDSeed kernel - nutmeg.
Aril - mace.
USESDigestive problems - Nutmeg essential oil has an anesthetic and stimulating effect on the stomach and intestines, increasing appetite and reducing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is a helpful remedy for many digestive problems, especially gastroenteritis.
Chinese medicine - In China, nutmeg is used specifically for diarrhea, helping to bind and warm the intestines and relieve abdominal pain and distension due to "cold."
Aphrodisiac - In India, nutmeg has a long reputation as an aphrodisiac. Nutmeg is believed to increase sexual stamina.
External uses - Ointments based on the fixed oil (nutmeg butter) are used to treat rheumatic conditions. They have a counterirritant effect, stimulating blood flow to the area. In India, nutmeg is ground into a paste and applied directly to areas of eczema and ringworm.
Safety - Low medicinal doses and culinary amounts of nutmeg and mace are safe. In excess, however, the herbs are strongly stimulant, hallucinogenic, and toxic. The consumption of just 2 whole nutmegs has been known to cause death.
Myristicin is the constituent most responsible for this toxicity, and it is also hallucinogenic.
NUTMEG is a calmative helpful for vomiting, flatulence and to aid digestion. It can also be used for severe diarrhoea. In small doses nutmeg is a tonic. Nutmeg tea taken at night is a mild soporific, inducing sleep in the wakeful and was also given for a languid digestion.
