Myristica malabarica

Myristica malabarica (Lam.), commonly called the Malabar nutmeg, is woven into several regional healing traditions of the Western Ghats. Among the Kodava people of Karnataka, a decoction of the inner bark is taken to lower fever and relieve chills (Reddy & Rao, 2020). The same tribe crushes fresh leaves and applies them as a poultice on cuts and bruises, a practice documented in the same field report (Reddy & Rao, 2020). Across the border in Kerala, the Kattunayakan community prepares a leaf poultice for skin irritations and wound dressing (Patel & Shankar, 2015). In Tamil Nadu, Siddha practitioners grind the dried seed, mix it with honey, and ingest the resulting paste as a carminative to ease flatulence and mild dyspepsia (Rao et al., 2012). A fourth ethnobotanical note from the tribal groups of Maharashtra records a light infusion of the bark taken after meals to alleviate gastrointestinal cramps (Kumar & Singh, 2018).

To capture the fever‑reducing effect, a simple bark tea can be made. Place 5 g of dried inner bark in a pot, add 500 ml of water, bring to a gentle boil, and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and allow the liquid to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature. The resulting decoction is taken in 150–200 ml doses, no more than three times a day. Because Myristica malabarica contains myristicin, a neuro‑active phenylpropene, high doses may cause nausea or dizziness; pregnant women and children should avoid this preparation.

The therapeutic actions of the bark decoction and seed preparation are linked to a well‑characterised suite of phytochemicals. The seed oil is rich in myristicin, eugenol, and safrole—phenylpropene compounds that give the plant its aromatic and antispasmodic properties (Madhusoodanan et al., 2010). Fatty acids such as myristic acid and lauric acid dominate the fixed oil, while the bark contains tannins and flavonoid glycosides that contribute to its astringent, fever‑reducing effect (Sinha & Patel, 2015).

Contemporary interest in Myristica malabarica is rising: pharmacological studies highlight antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activity of its essential oil, while the limited commercial spice market still supplies small‑batch batches to niche culinary and herbal traders. Tribal herbalists in the Western Ghats continue to prepare the bark infusion and leaf poultice, keeping the tradition alive alongside modern research.

Common products:
- Dried seed (nutmeg) and aril (mace) sold as spices.
- Essential oil (nutmeg oil) extracted from the seed.
- Fixed oil (nutmeg butter) obtained by cold‑pressing the seed; solid at room temperature.
- Timber used locally for furniture and carving.

Industrial and craft applications:
- Essential oil employed as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cleaners and perfumes.
- Fixed oil used as an emollient base in cosmetic creams, lotions and soaps.
- Wood fashioned into furniture, small tools and decorative carvings.

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- Nutmeg and mace are added to Indian and global dishes for spice.
- Nutmeg oil used as a flavoring agent in baked goods, spice mixes and alcoholic beverages.
- Nutmeg butter used as a cooking fat and ingredient in confectionery.

Wood and fiber:
- The timber is light‑brown, moderately dense and suitable for indoor carpentry and ornamental carving.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- The essential oil provides a warm, spicy aroma employed in perfumery.
- The seed butter’s high saturated‑fat content makes it useful in cosmetic creams and soap bases.

Properties relevant to use:
- The essential oil’s major constituents are myristicin, eugenol, sabinene and α‑pinene, which give its characteristic aroma and volatility.
- The seed butter contains a high proportion of saturated fatty acids, resulting in a high saponification value and a relatively high melting point, providing oxidative stability.
- The timber has moderate density and good workability for carving.

Standards and regulation:
- Nutmeg and mace are regulated as spices by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and BIS.
- Nutmeg oil is listed as GRAS by the US FDA and controlled by EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008; it conforms to ISO 3216 for nutmeg essential oil.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Myristica malabarica is native to the Western Ghats; wild harvest dominates and the species is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN.
- Sustainable harvesting and limited cultivation are promoted to conserve populations and meet demand.

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No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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