Nutmeg Essential Oil

Nutmeg Essential Oil is a clear and thin essential oil with a medium top note. Its aroma is on the medium strong side. It has a sweet and woody fragrance that many people love. Nutmeg’s botanical name is Myristica fragrans. It is no longer just used in cooking. It has made its presence in the health scene by providing relief to several health conditions. Its benefits are aplenty; you can use Nutmeg Essential Oil for different purposes other than cooking. Nutmeg Essential Oil is produced by using the spice’s ripe seeds by way of steam distillation.

The use of Nutmeg Essential Oil has spanned centuries. Different ancient civilizations used it for various purposes. Egyptians used the oil for embalming their dead, while the Indians used it for medicinal purposes, such as curing intestinal troubles. These days Nutmeg Essential Oil is used not only as an alternative medicine solution but also as a pharmaceutical and cosmetic fragrance.

There are two varieties of Nutmeg Essential Oil, the East Indian and the West Indian oils. The former is the one produced in Southeast Asia and the letter is produced in the Caribbean. But the popularity of this essential oil has made it more easily available to all parts of the world. There are numerous manufacturers all over the world and not just in the abovementioned parts.

Nutmeg Essential Oil has several chemical compositions that contribute to its health benefits. These compounds include myristicin, a-terpinene, a-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, safrole, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, methyl eugenol, myrcene, linalool, a-phellandrene, limonene, 1,8-cineole and y-terpinene.

Nutmeg Essential Oil Benefits

Nutmeg Essential Oil will give its users these following benefits:

  • Acts as a decongestant. Nutmeg Essential Oil can relieve congestion and colds.
  • As a detoxifier. Taking Nutmeg Essential Oil can detoxify the liver from harmful toxins derived from unhealthy food, alcohol and many more.
  • Aids in treating illnesses. Kidney diseases and infections can be treated by Nutmeg Essential Oil.
  • Uplifts the spirit. The scent of Nutmeg Essential Oil instantly lightens the mood and can combat depression and mood swings.
  • Improves heart health. The cardiovascular system greatly benefits from this oil.
  • It makes breath fresher. The scent of Nutmeg Essential Oil can combat bad breath.
  • Relieves minor aches. Its antiseptic property is very effective in treating toothache and painful gums.
  • Relieves stomachache.
  • Freshens up a room with its fragrance.
  • Used in making antiseptic soaps.
  • Nutmeg Essential Oil can be used as a spice or flavoring in different recipes.
  • As a fragrance. Nutmeg Essential Oil is used in soaps, deodorizers, incense, and in cosmetics for its woody aroma.

These benefits will help the user achieve his health goals by simply incorporating Nutmeg Essential Oil into his daily diet and everyday routine. But it is important to note that Nutmeg Essential Oil, just like any other essential oil, can be very potent and should not be used without diluting it into a carrier oil or water. The right amount of Nutmeg Essential Oil in every use is generally safe and will give the most benefits to the user.

Nutmeg Essential Oil Uses

  1. Nutmeg Essential Oil for Healthier Kidneys. It is very popular in treating kidney ailments.
  2. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Liver Stimulant. Toxins from the liver are flushed out, making it healthier and more capable of filtering impurities that come into the body.
  3. Nutmeg Essential Oil for Bad Breath. The scent of the oil is effective in combating halitosis, or bad breath.
  4. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Relief from Heart Ailments. Nutmeg Essential Oil is known to stimulate the cardiovascular system, allowing for the heart to be energized.
  5. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Brain Stimulant. Stress and other factors can tire the brain, and taking Nutmeg Essential Oil will relieve the brain of exhaustion, allowing for clearer thinking to prevail.
  6. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Aid to Respiratory Ailments. Nutmeg Essential Oil is one main ingredient in respiratory medications such as cough medicines and rubs. The oil relieves congestion and symptoms of colds and coughs and is also known to relieve asthma.
  7. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Circulation Stimulant. This oil is known to improve blood circulation. Those with poor blood circulation will benefit greatly from Nutmeg Essential Oil.
  8. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Indigestion Solution. The oil is effective in relieving stomachaches as well as getting rid of gases that have accumulated in the intestines for better digestion.
  9. Nutmeg Essential Oil as Appetite Stimulant. When taken internally in the right doses, Nutmeg Essential Oil can stimulate the appetite, especially for those who are having a hard time to increase their weight.
  10. Nutmeg Essential Oil for Menstrual Cramps. Aside from cramps, other menstrual symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, headaches, hormonal imbalance and depression are alleviated.
  11. Nutmeg Essential Oil for Pain Relief. Nutmeg Essential Oil is a known pain reliever. Arthritis, rheumatism, abdominal pain and many others are relieved by Nutmeg Essential Oil. It is also famous as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Nutmeg Essential Oil Side Effects

It is always indicated to never use Nutmeg Essential Oil or any other essential oil undiluted, as they are very concentrated and potent. Excessive use of the oil may lead to hallucinations, delirium, lengthy sleep and visual impairment.

How to Use Nutmeg Essential Oil

Nutmeg Essential Oil can be used in different ways, but never undiluted.

  • For digestive problems, about 6 drops of Nutmeg Essential Oil added in lukewarm bath water or 3 drops into carrier oil for use as massage oil on the stomach area may relieve stomachaches and other digestive problems.
  • For pain relief, a couple of drops into coconut oil should be enough. Lather the mixture onto the affected area and wait for pain to subside.
  • 2 to 3 drops of Nutmeg Essential Oil into a glass of water for gargling can prevent bad breath.
  • A couple of drops on a piece of cloth can be inhaled to improve memory retention and concentration.
  • To be used as a stress reliever, 2 drops of the oil into a diffuser will release a woody aroma that can instantly lift the mood and relieve the body from stress.
  • 2 drops of the oil onto a piece of cotton swab and applied onto swollen and painful gums will eliminate the pain and swelling.
  • If restful sleep is the aim, 2 drops of the oil onto a piece of cloth can be put beside the pillow.
  • To decongest, add a few drops of the oil onto hot water and inhale the steam coming from it.

How to Make Nutmeg Essential Oil

Steam distillation is the process by which Nutmeg Essential Oil is extracted from the dried kernels of the nutmeg fruit’s seeds.

Nutmeg Essential Oil Recipe

This Nutmeg Essential Oil recipe may not be as pure as the ones manufactured by steam distillation, but its benefits can still be gleaned from your homemade version.

Ingredients:

  • Nutmeg seeds
  • Carrier oil, such as grape seed oil
  • Dark colored container
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Glass bowl
  • Funnel
  • Mason jar

Procedure:

  1. Place the nutmeg seeds into the mortar and pestle and grind them. Make sure not to apply too much pressure that may result in producing powder form the seeds.
  2. Place the crushed seeds into the Mason jar and fully submerge them in the carrier oil.
  3. Place the lid on the jar and shake it to blend the mixture.
  4. Place the jar in direct sunlight for 2 days, shaking it every 12 hours.
  5. Strain the mixture into the glass bowl to get rid of the solid particles.
  6. Add a new batch of ground seeds and carrier oil into the Mason jar and replace the first batch in.
  7. After another 2 days in direct sunlight, strain the mixture once more and put the essential oil into a dark colored container by using a funnel so no oil is wasted.

Where to Buy Nutmeg Essential Oil 

Aside from making your very own Nutmeg Essential Oil right in the comfort of your own home, you can find sellers on the Internet, such as Amazon or eBay. There are also many websites that sell this oil. Young Living is one brand of Nutmeg Essential Oil you can try. You can purchase it from the brand’s website or from Amazon.

More Information on Nutmeg Essential Oil

The nutmeg tree can grow as high as seventy feet tall. The source of Nutmeg Essential Oil is its fruit, which then produces the seeds that are used to make the oil when it is dried. Mace is the covering of the fruit, which can also be made into an essential oil. During the ancient times, particularly in the Elizabethan era, it was considered to be the solution for the plague, which is why it was very popular back then.

Nutmeg Essential Oil is generally safe to use, but in the right amounts and it must be diluted. Large amounts of the oil can cause overdose and symptoms such as stupor and nausea may occur. The main culprit for these symptoms is the myristicin in the product. Excessive use of Nutmeg Essential Oil can be toxic to the body. Pregnant and lactating women are advised not to use Nutmeg Essential Oil.