Nutmeg and mace are common spices that come from the same tree, Myristica fragrans. Nutmeg comes from the shelled, dried seed. Mace comes from the seed covering.
Nutmeg contains chemicals that might affect the central nervous system. Nutmeg might also kill bacteria and fungi.
People use nutmeg for cavities in children, diarrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Nutmeg is sometimes used recreationally in large doses to create a natural "high." Taking large doses may be unsafe and can lead to serious side effects.
NatMed disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of NatMed. It is fully referenced and updated daily.
© Copyright 1995-2019. Therapeutic Research Center LLC, publishers of NatMed, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.