Stem plant
The Houttuyn nutmeg tree (Myristicaceae) is a bushy, evergreen tree that grows 9 to 12 m tall and bears yellow fruits that resemble apricots or peaches, each containing a seed encased in a bright red, fleshy seed coat. The nutmeg tree grows in the Banda Islands, an Indonesian archipelago that is part of the so-called Spice Islands (Moluccas). Nutmegs were brought to Europe in the early 16th century by Portuguese and later by Dutch colonialists. In the meantime, the trees are also planted in other regions, for example on Java or in the Caribbean.
Medicinal drug
Nutmeg (Myristicae semen) is the seed freed from the seed coat and seed coat and dried, corresponding to endosperm and embryo. The seed coat is called mace (Myristicae arillus, mace) and is also used as a drug and food.
Ingredients
Nutmeg oil (Myristicae aetheroleum, Myristicae fragrantis aetheroleum PhEur) is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the dried and crushed seed kernels. It is a colorless to faint yellow liquid with a spicy odor and contains monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohols and phenylpropanoids such as elemicin, safrole and myristicin. Myristicin (methoxysafrole, C11H12O3) is a colorless ol that is mainly thought to be responsible for the psychotropic effects of nutmeg. In addition to the essential, nutmeg also contains a fatty oil (myristicae oleum). The orange-red, buttery, fatty mass is obtained by squeezing and is also known as nutmeg butter or fat. Finally, the seeds contain starch, sugar, steroids and pectins.
Effects
- Digestive
- Carminative
- Antispasmodic
- Antimicrobial
- Expectorant
- Psychotropic in high dose
Indications for use
Nutmeg was used in traditional Indonesian medicine for many ailments, such as digestive problems, rheumatism, cough, nervousness, flatulence, as a stimulant, aphrodisiac and tonic. As far as is known, however, it has not been used as an intoxicant. In many countries, nutmeg is mainly used as a spice, e.g. for mashed potatoes, game, vegetables or in mulled wine seasoning. The essential oil has skin-irritating and digestive effects and is found in this country in cold balms, rheumatism ointments, throat lozenges, herbal candies, massage oils and drops to aid digestion. The best-known medicines containing nutmeg essential oil include Vicks VapoRub, Carmol and Klosterfrau Melissengeist. The application of the medicinal drug is not very common.
Nutmeg as an intoxicant
Nutmeg is taken, for example, by young people or students who like to experiment, to induce psychotropic effects and hallucinations. Nutmeg and its powder are legally, easily, and inexpensively available in grocery stores. The freshly ground powder is preferred. When high doses of > 5-10 g (up to 30 g) are ingested, symptoms of poisoning occur. Poisoning was reported as early as 1576 in England. A woman had ingested 10-12 nuts (one nut weighs about 6-7 g and corresponds to one tablespoon). As the dose increases, so does the risk of serious adverse effects. Nutmeg may indeed cause absent-mindedness, a kind of trance, and possibly hallucinations. However, it is not a specific hallucinogen such as Salvia divinorum and, as with datura, the hallucinogenic effects occur as a result of intoxication and not with every use. It is therefore referred to as a pseudohallucinogen. The effects of a high dose of nutmeg include:
- Absence of mind, drowsiness, dream-like states, fatigue, lethargy, euphoria, dizziness, tremor, ataxia, convulsions.
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Rapid pulse
- Anxiety, restlessness
- Constricted or dilated pupils
- Sensory disturbances such as tingling, formication.
- Palpable palpitations (heart palpitations)
- Anticholinergic effects such as urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances, flushing, high blood pressure, hyperthermia, central disturbances, delirium
- Delusions, hallucinations, triggering psychosis.
The symptoms of poisoning begin delayed within about 3 to 6 hours after ingestion and regress within 1 to a maximum of 2 days. They resemble with the anticholinergic effects of atropine poisoning. Any treatment is symptomatic. Deaths have been reported in very rare cases. High doses are reported to be hepatotoxic. No precise figures are available on the frequency of abuse in many countries because most experiments are probably relatively mild, conducted in secret, and not reported. According to the literature, the Toxicological Information Center received a total of 125 inquiries about nutmeg between 1995 and 2001. Five cases are reported in the 2002 annual report. In one case, the intentional ingestion of 30 g triggered a severe drop in blood pressure. The other sufferers were nauseous and experienced vomiting, restlessness, tremors, increase in pulse and dry mouth. We strongly advise against misuse because of the potential adverse effects.
Contraindications
High dose use must be discouraged due to the potential adverse effects. Special caution should be exercised in the presence of underlying diseases such as epilepsy or cardiovascular disease, intestinal stenosis, intestinal obstruction, glaucoma, urinary retention, when taking other medications, or when predisposed to mental illness. Nutmeg is said to cause abortion in high doses during pregnancy. Such experimentation is also not indicated during lactation.
