Nutmeg
Profile
| Latin Name | Myristica fragrans |
| Chinese Name | Rou Dou Kou |
| Family | Myristicaceae |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | <Strong> Spicy |
| Color | Clear to Pale-Yellow |
| Parts Distilled | Dried Kernel (Nuts) |
| Regions | Europe, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, USA, West Indies (especially Grenada) |
| Taste | Spicy Nature: Wanning |
| Affinity | LR/SP/LI |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Monoterpenes (~70-80%), phenolic ether (myristicin ~3-10%) |
| Skin Type | NI A |
| Dosage | 2% dilution |
Functions
- Astringe diarrhea due to Deficient Spleen and Kidney Yang - e.g., cockcrow diarrhea
- Warm the interior to expel cold - chronic diarrhea, cold bi-obstruction, impotence, scanty or painful menstruation
- Promote appetite and regulate qi in the Middle Heater with nausea, vomiting, flatulence
Indications
- Deficient Spleen diarrhea (BL-20, BL-21, ST-36, ST-37, SP-8, ST-42, CV-12, SP-6)
- Damp-Cold Bi-Obstruction (Ah-shi, SP-6, SP-9, BL-40)
Topical Applications
- Apply 2% liniment for damp-cold bi-obstruction with Nutmeg (30%), Rosemary (30%), Lavender (30%), and Black Pepper (10%).
Specific Protocols
- Apply 2% dilution of Nutmeg (40%), Petitgrain (30%), and Coriander (30%) to Spleen/Stomach Divergent Channels.
- Apply 2% dilution of Nutmeg (30%), Rosemary (30%), Clove (20%), and Fennel (20%) to Du-Governor Vessel for Deficient Kidney Yang.
Actions
- Analgesic
- Anti-diarrhea
- Stomachic (promoting the appetite or assisting digestion)
- Carminative (prevents or relieves flatulence)
- Emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow)
Contraindications & Cautions
- Diarrhea due to heat
- Liver wind/ascension
- Neurotoxic (epilepsy)
- Hepato-toxic
- High dose will produce delirium, convulsions, hallucinations, dizziness, fainting
- Not used during pregnancy
- Not for pre-pubescent children
Additional Comments
- The phenolic ether in Nutmeg is a strong hallucinogen, so use only short-term and in small doses.
- Nutmeg inhibits prostaglandins.