Health Benefits of Nutmeg Oil

Nutmeg oil is obtained from ground nutmegs. It can be colorless or light yellow in color. Nutmeg and nutmeg oil are part of traditional medicine in various cultures of the world, for thousands of years. Fresh ground nutmeg is known for its musky aroma and also for the hallucinogenic properties (when consumed in excess).

Nutmeg oil also carries these properties. Myristicin in the nutmeg essential oil is believed to play an important role in exhibiting hallucinogenic effects. Consumption of large amount of oil (more than 5 ml) can lead to toxic effects resulting in nausea and rapid heart rate. Nutmeg oil should therefore be consumed in very small quantity.

The sharp, strong and spicy nutmeg oil is commonly used for aromatherapy. It blends well with rosemary, geranium, orange, black pepper oil and various other oils. It can be taken internally or can be applied externally.

The oil exhibits several therapeutic properties, for example, analgesic (pain killing), anti-rheumatic (relieving symptoms of arthritis), antiseptic, antispasmodic (preventing spasms), carminative (relieving gas), digestive, emmenagogue (promoting menstruation), laxative, parturient (inducing labor), stimulant and tonic.

You can add a few drops of nutmeg oil in place of nutmeg spice in various sweet or spicy dishes to reap the health benefits of nutmeg oil. Here is a list of medicinal benefits of nutmeg oil.

• Arthritic patients feel better when nutmeg oil is used to massage the joints. The oil helps relieve pain in joints. This helps improve the movement of the joint. The oil carries anti-inflammatory properties and helps relieve rheumatic, neuralgic and sciatic pain, when applied externally.

• Nutmeg oil when applied to a painful tooth, relieves toothache within a few minutes, just like clove oil. Take 1-2 drops of nutmeg oil on a cotton swab and apply the oil to the gums around the weak tooth. Nutmeg oil is therefore used in various toothpastes.

• Nutmeg oil can be blended with various massage oils and can be used for massage therapy. You will feel better within a few minutes in case you are feeling excessively tired due to overexertion.

• The oil helps improve blood circulation and thus helps improve both physical and mental activities. It helps relieve physical and mental stress. It thus indirectly helps stabilize blood pressure levels.

• Nutmeg oil enhances the function of brain and nervous system. It helps improve mental activity by removing mental exhaustion. It has been used as a brain tonic for thousands of years.

• Add a few drops of nutmeg oil to one teaspoon of honey. The mixture will help you get rid of various digestive problems like nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and even gastroenteritis.

• A paste of nutmeg oil and honey is given to infants to induce sleep. When infants cry at night continuously, this home remedy is helpful as doctors may not be available at night.

• The oil helps relieve nasal congestion and it lowers symptoms of sore throat. As nutmeg oil carries analgesic properties, it is used to prepare various types of cough syrups.

• Application of paste made from cow milk, nutmeg oil and opium, on forehead helps get rid of headache, nasal congestion and other common cold symptoms.
• Add a few drops of nutmeg oil to Indian gooseberry juice. This mixture ensures sound sleep during night when taken before going to bed.
• A few drops of nutmeg oil combined with honey can help lower symptoms of stomach upset, gas and bloating.

• Nutmeg oil helps relieve skin irritation when applied on skin while suffering from ringworm and eczema.
• When nutmeg oil is applied over the abdomen regularly for some weeks before delivery, it facilitates childbirth.
• Nutmeg oil promotes detoxification of liver and kidneys. It thus enhances the functions of liver and kidneys.

• Nutmeg oil works great for menstrual irregularities and cramps.
• The oil helps get rid of bad breath, when consumed in small quantity with honey.
• This oil works great for dehydration when one suffers from diarrhea and vomiting.
• Regular massage of nutmeg oil helps improve heart health.

Those who don't like particles of nutmeg powder in food can use nutmeg oil in place of nutmeg powder to add flavor to the food. Nutmeg oil is used in the food industry in a number of products like cakes, pastries, syrups, beverages, sweets, etc.

It is also used to manufacture soaps, creams, lotions, massage oils, room fresheners, etc., in the cosmetic industry. Now that you know about the health benefits of nutmeg oil, I am sure, you are going to pick up a bottle of nutmeg oil, next time you buy your groceries. Just see to it that you use a small quantity (2-4 drops) of nutmeg oil at a time.