ABSTRACT
Nutmeg oil is the essential oil obtained from the seed of the nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt. Nutmegs usually contain about 33% of fixed oil and 4.5% of essential oil. The fixed oil is obtained by expressing the crushed nuts or by extracting with solvents. Fixed oil is a semi-solid reddish brown or yellow fat with both the aroma and taste of nutmeg. Myristica fragrans Houtt. is a spreading, medium- to large-sized, aromatic evergreen tree usually growing to around 5-13 meters high, occasionally 20 meters. Nutmeg is a mild baking spice with a sweet smell commonly added to sausages, meats, fish, soups, et cetera. Nutmeg is widely employed as a traditional medicine in the Middle East and Asia. In Western folk medicine, nutmeg may be used as a stomachic, stimulant, carminative as well as for intestinal catarrh and colic, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bad breath, rheumatism, to stimulate appetites and to control flatulence.
