Nutmeg: The Restorative Power of This Fragrant Spice

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

Myristica Fragrans
Myristica Fragrans, or as it is commonly called Nutmeg, is a medicinal and culinary spice renowned not only for its nutritional benefits but also for enhancing flavour in cooking food or baking desserts. Nutmeg comes from the Myristicaceae family and is native to Banda Island, Indonesia. Nevertheless, currently Nutmeg is grown globally around countries like Malaysia, India, China, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the US.


Myristica Fragrans is an evergreen tree that grows up to 21 metres tall with greyish-brown, soft bark and spreading branches. Nutmeg thrives in a warm, humid climate. The leaves are dark green, aromatic, oblong, glabrous and alternate. The flowers are small, fragrant, pale yellow or cream coloured and grow up to 0.8cm in diameter. The flowers only open at night to attract pollinators like beetles and moths. Myristica Fragrans seed has outer, red arils called mace and an inner, brown kernel called nutmeg. 




The Restorative Power of Nutmeg in Traditional Medicine
Now, let’s explore the restorative power of nutmeg in traditional medicine. Nutmeg has been used to treat ailments since the dawn of time. Powdered nutmeg can be taken daily with warm milk, honey or ghee to support general health and wellbeing. Besides that, Nutmeg encourages healthy digestion by stimulating appetite, reducing bloating, treating diarrhoea and treating nausea and vomiting.


Moreover, Nutmeg acts as a pain relief; hence, it is applied as a paste to joints, around the mouth and abdomen to relieve joint pain, toothaches and abdominal pain. Similarly, Nutmeg can be taken orally to promote healthy blood circulation as it is warm in nature. Furthermore, Nutmeg can also be used as an expectorant to clear congestion and cough.


​In addition to that, Nutmeg can be added to warm milk to be consumed before bedtime, as it helps calm the mind, so the body is able to relax and have good sleep. Likewise, Nutmeg paste made from nutmeg, honey and milk can also be applied to the skin to cure acne scars, control excess oil and remove pigmentation. Apart from that, Nutmeg has also been used as an aphrodisiac to boost libido and treat low sperm count.

6 Nutmeg Evidence – Backed Health Benefits

1. Antioxidant properties
Most plant-based foods such as spices contain a rich amount of antioxidant properties. Antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals in the human body, reduce lipoperoxidation and strengthen enzymatic defenses. Free radicals created by stress or environmental reasons like pollution interact with cellular molecules and metabolites inside the human body, leading to cellular damage and chronic diseases.


Similarly, lipoperoxidation alters the protein function and damages DNA, therefore increasing the chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and lung diseases. Several research studies done on Nutmeg indicate that this medicinal spice holds an abundance of antioxidant properties, which reduce cellular damage in the human body; therefore, lowering the chances of developing chronic disease.
 



2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation occurs when the body’s natural, defensive response to damaged tissue, as a result of toxic, physical trauma or microbial infection. The most common types of inflammation are acute and chronic. Chronic inflammation can lead to autoimmune diseases, cancer, rheumatism and neurodegenerative diseases.


According to several studies done on Nutmeg, this medicinal spice can delay the progression of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Besides that, Nutmeg tends to minimize joint swelling, nerve pain and sensitivity and neuron damage.




3. Anti-microbial properties
Infections are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that invade human bodies and cause harm. Despite the introduction of antibiotics in modern medicine to help cure infections, microorganisms like bacteria are constantly evolving and resisting antibiotics. For that reason, natural products or food that holds anti-microbial properties are vital for human health and wellbeing. Studies demonstrate that Nutmeg can inhibit both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal infections. 




4. Regulates sugar level
Diabetes mellitus is one of the chronic illnesses that is affecting millions around the world. This metabolic condition is depicted by elevated glucose levels in the blood and/or insufficient secretion of insulin due to damage to the pancreas. While most people use drugs created from modern medicine to manage diabetes this drugs can cause adverse effects in the long term. Research done on Nutmeg demonstrates that this medicinal spice has the power to lower glucose levels in the body.
 
 


5. Protect the heart
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality universally. Many adults and the elderly are living with this disease. According to data in 2023, around 20 million deaths were recorded due to cardiovascular disease globally. Therefore, primary prevention is always better than secondary prevention.


Studies done on Nutmeg show that this medicinal spice has antiarrhythmic effects by directly or indirectly acting on sodium or calcium channels in cardiomyocytes (specialized, involuntary striated muscle cells that constitute the heart muscle, myocardium and are responsible for the rhythmic contractions that pump blood) to significantly reduce the incidence of ventricular fibrillation.


Similarly, Nutmeg also showed protective effects against myocardial ischemia by reducing the release of cardiac enzymes. As a result, Nutmeg can prevent heart disease and heart tissue damage. Another study concluded that Nutmeg can reduce cholesterol levels, which further promotes healthy heart function. Besides that, Nutmeg shows an antihypertensive effect by lowering systolic blood pressure, which further highlights cardioprotective properties.




6. Prevent cancer
An imbalance between cell apoptosis and proliferation causes uncontrolled cell growth, which leads to the development of cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality around the world. The most prevalent cancers are breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Based on several studies done on Nutmeg, this medicinal spice has the power to inhibit carcinogenesis and has proven to decrease the development of leukaemia, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. 









All in All
Myristica fragrans, commonly called Nutmeg, not only makes the food you cook or the dessert you bake delicious with a nutty and aromatic flavour, but it also has various healthy nutrients and medicinal values. Nutmeg has been utilized in herbal or traditional medicine since the dawn of time due to its benefits to human health. But what does science say about Myristica Fragrans?


Nutrition Takes explores the 6 evidence-backed medicinal properties of Nutmeg. Share or ask questions if you would like to know more about the topic or if you have different insights that you would like to share. I am always happy to know about your journey in holistic approaches. Like every medicinal spice, flowers and herbs, be mindful of the intake of Nutmeg as balance is very important in daily life. Excessive consumption may cause hallucinations, drowsiness, nausea, and low blood pressure. 









References
1. Qi J et al. (2025); A Review on Basic Source, Traditional Use, Chemical Components, Pharmacological Activities, Mechanism
   and Quality Control; Planta Medica; 10: 1055.

2. Tariq D et al. (2025); Nutmeg Beyond Spice: A Review on its Therapeutic Potential, Safety and Industrial Promise; Food Science
    and Nutrition; 10:1002.

3. Sultan M et al. (2023); Nutritional and Therapeutic Potential of Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans): A Concurrent Review; 10:1080.

4. Al – Rawi et al. (2024); Therapeutic and Pharmacological Prospects of Nutmeg: A Comprehensive Review; Saudi
   Pharmaceutical Journal; 10:1016.


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