Nutmeg is valued by great cooks everywhere for its versatility in the kitchen. Its nutty, spicy, and slightly sweet taste makes it a valuable ingredient in everything from meat dishes to desserts. So prized was nutmeg that in the Middle Ages the Dutch plotted extreme measures to keep the price high, while the English and French hatched their own counterplots to obtain fertile seeds so they could cultivate it themselves.
Besides its culinary uses, nutmeg is also a highly valued aromatic. The Romans used it as incense, and the Egyptians for embalming. Indians found nutmeg to be perfect for intestinal disorders, and Italians found it useful in combating the Plague. In the Middle Ages, nutmeg was grated and used with lard as an ointment for hemorrhoids. Today, nutmeg is used in aromatherapy for a variety of ailments, from circulatory problems to boosting libido.
Therapeutic uses:
Appetite, arthritis, bad breath, circulation, digestive problems, fainting spell, gout, impotence, libido, muscle pain, nervous fatigue and rheumatism.
Essential Oil Applications:
For arthritis, gout, muscle pain, and rheumatism, use 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage on affected area. Can also be used in a diffuser.
To stimulate appetite, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
For bad breath, use a few drops in water as a mouthwash.
For circulatory health, mix 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage all over body.
For digestive problems, use 8-10 drops in bath water. Can also use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
To revive after a fainting spell, use 2-3 drops on a cotton ball or handkerchief; place under nose of the person who fainted.
For hemorrhoids, mix 2-3 drops of oil with 2 tablespoons of liquid lanolin. Apply to affected area. Can also add to a carrier oil.
For nervous fatigue, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser, or add 8-10 drops in bath water.
For impotence and to revive libido, use 6-8 drops in a bath.
Mixes Well With:
Bergamot, clary sage, clove, geranium, lime, myrrh, orange, rosemary, tangerine and tea trea.
Extraction Method:
Steam or water distillation
Parts Used:
Dried worm-eaten nutmeg seed (worms eat all the starch and fat content).
Safety Information:
Avoid if pregnant. Very large doses can cause nausea or stupor
More Info:
The Power of Aromatherapy
Getting Started with Aromatherapy
The Choosing, Blending and the Caring of Your Essential Oils
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