Warm up with nutmeg essential oil!
How nutmeg oil is made
Every June through August, community co-ops in Indonesia come together for the annual nutmeg harvest. The entire area fills with a warm, spicy, sweet aroma!
The team separates the seeds from the seed coverings, called “arils,” and lets both dry in the sun. They use the arils to produce the spice mace. As for the nutmeg seeds themselves, some of them are used to produce the kitchen spice, while others are distilled into a pure essential oil.
We’re honored to offer you this organically crafted nutmeg essential oil (Myristica fragrans)!
Nutmeg oil science
Research on nutmeg oils shows that it has an especially purifying presence. Use it in blends for itchy skin, especially foot creams and scrubs, or add a few drops to room mists or linen sprays. It’s also a great choice for immune support recipes!
Nutmeg has demonstrated potent antioxidant effects, too. It helps protect cells against damage by free radicals. (However, be sure to use nutmeg oil safely. We’ll talk about that in a moment!)
Nutmeg oil’s effects are largely due to its chemistry.
It’s rich in the components:
- a-pinene
- b-pinene
- sabinene
- myristicin
Benefits & uses of nutmeg oil
Nutmeg oil brings back fond memories for a lot of people, especially during the holiday season. While you may love using the kitchen spice in cooking and baking (or even hot cocoa!), there are plenty of ways to use nutmeg essential oil.
- Support comfortable digestion
- Soothe sore, tender issues
- Ease tense, cramped muscles
- Stimulate the flow of energy through the body
- Reduce the presence of germs & fungi
When the weather turns cold, turn to nutmeg to protect your health against seasonal threats. It’s purifying presence helps bolster your immune strength.
A nutmeg massage oil can help you warm up after a day of winter fun, like sledding or making snowmen! And if your hands and feet always seem to be cold, you’re going to love nutmeg oil—add it to a lotion or body butter and stay cozy.
While it’s stimulating in some ways (it helps you warm up and supports a happy belly!), nutmeg oil is also comforting. Diffuse a few drops when it’s time for bed, or when you feel emotionally overwhelmed and can’t stir up the energy to go about your day.
Nutmeg oil safety
As much as we love the aroma of nutmeg essential oil and its therapeutic properties, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
Nutmeg is considered a hot oil. Use it sparingly. We recommend no more than an 0.8% dilution, which is about 4 to 5 drops per 1 oz (30 ml) of carrier oil. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to test your blend on a small area first (like the inside of your arm).
When diffusing nutmeg oil, a little goes a long way! Start with just a few drops.
Nutmeg Oil Recipes
Grab these essentials
References
Dorman, H. J. D., & Deans, S. G. (2000). Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. Journal of applied microbiology, 88(2), 308-316.
El-Alfy, A. T., Wilson, L., ElSohly, M. A., & Abourashed, E. A. (2009). Towards a better understanding of the psychopharmacology of nutmeg: Activities in the mouse tetrad assay. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 126(2), 280-286.
Liapi C, Anifandis G, Chinou I, Kourounakis AP et al. (2008) Antinociceptive properties of 1,8-cineole and beta-pinene, from the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves, in rodents. Planta Medica 74,7,789. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-990224
Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
Olajide, O. A., Makinde, J. M., & Awe, S. O. (2000). Evaluation of the pharmacological properties of nutmeg oil in rats and mice. Pharmaceutical biology, 38(5), 385-390.
Sonavane, G. S., Sarveiya, V. P., Kasture, V. S., & Kasture, S. B. (2002). Anxiogenic activity of Myristica fragrans seeds. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 71(1-2), 239-244.
Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
Valente, J., Zuzarte, M., Gonçalves, M. J., Lopez, M. C., Cavaliero, C., Salguero, L. and Cruz, M. T. (2013) Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenathe crocata L. essential oil. Food Chemistry and Toxicology 62, 349-354.
Wahab, A., Haq, R. U., Ahmed, A., Khan, R. A., & Raza, M. (2009). Anticonvulsant activities of nutmeg oil of Myristica fragrans. Phytotherapy Research, 23(2), 153-158.
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