Latin name : Myristica fragrans, Myristica officinalis, (Nux moschata : illegitimate name) French names : Muscade, Muscadier, Macis, Mace, Pied-de-muscade, Noix de Banda Other English names : Nutmeg, Mace Extracted from : Nutmeg aril : dried arils, husks. Nutmeg nut : dried fruits, almonds
Mace is the name of the arils : the nut's husk. Nutmeg is the name of the ... nut itself (the almond). Both are dealt with together here (Chemical variability being stronger depending on the area they come from rather than between Nutmeg and Mace).
Exotic surprise in the kitchen : one tiny drop in mashed potatoes, gratin, sherbets or ... with chocolate bananas confers an unexpected taste to it.
If you forget how impermanent life is after all, and therefore lose any interest in material, embodied things, just smell the bottle and enjoy.
To spray on the balcony and in the garden on the plants that attract larvae.
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The plant, its legends and its botany
Nutmeg tree comes from the Moluccas, which spread from the island of Banda in the whole Pacific region. Many ships have sailed over the seas during the Middle Ages to conquer major ports in the trade in nutmeg. A
bit outdated nowadays, it was the second most widely used spice after black pepper despite its deterrent price: 6 sheep and two cows
per kilo. How jealously was it traded! The Dutch in particular, fell all the trees except on two easily defensible islands where it grew. Nuts are whitewashed before being exported to prevent germination, and thieves are simply ... executed. The nut is precious ... Around 40ft. tall, the female tree produces and bears the fruits. As its
pale yellow flowers do not look particularly fancy, the 'lady tree' compensates with a
beautiful fragrance and seduces her courtiers in their plates. Once in their arms: no disappointment! The bark is so soft! And
if they come to eat the fruit ... no one knows how far its bad
reputation can take them (10 pounds nut and 2 pounds mace are produced every year).
Trees and humans have indeed very much in common. First, its life expectancy is around a hundred years, similarly to ours. From
a certain age, it was advised to put nutmeg on one's "organ" in order to maintain their sexual abilities (do not do this with your essential oil!) This may
make you smile until you know that this recipe comes from a monk (now you can laugh instead). But the fashionable use of nutmeg in the Middle Ages is the love potion diluted in wine to make anybody accept anything.
And there are still thousands of wacky traditions concerning nutmeg. Like this one from Slovakia against epilepsy. The nut was used to replace a neutered black cock's testicules. It was then drunk in a concoction on St. John's day to prevent recurrences.
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Energetic properties
Helps to focus on present tasks. Therefore makes more capable and efficient. Roots perfectly children who are not well-rooted enough (especially where other plants have failed) Develops an unexpected spirituality for a plant of the 1st chakra. Helps to become aware of how much we influence other people deliberately or not. To see how impermanent life is. To want to enjoy all of life's pleasures. Helps to end a relationship. Supports during deception in their professional life.
Difference is bigger between the oils from the East and the West of India rather than between Nutmeg and
Mace. This is why they are dealt both together here. Monoterpenes (alpha-and beta-pinene 25-40% in total, 10-15% sabinene, alpha-and gamma-terpinene each 3-15%, 2-5% limonene) Ether-oxides (myristicin 0.5-15%, 0.1-5% elemicine) Monoterpene alcohols (terpinen-4-ol, 3-10%, 1-2% alpha-terpineol) Dioxides phenolics (0.1 to 4% safrole) Ketone: none Furanocoumarins: none
Uterotonic. High
dose: may cause non-serious nausea (with a few drops taken by a very sensitive person) or tachycardia (internal use within non-physiological doses). External use within moderate dosage recommended. Keep children out of reach. Children and pregnant women should not use it physically at all. Very toxic to cats (they have different liver enzymes from us).
