The nutmeg tree is an evergreen tree of 10 to 20 meters height. The tree needs a lot of sunlight, heavy rainfall, high humidity and a sandy humus in a hilly area. The bark is grayish-green in color whereas leaves are large, dark green in color with an oval shape (10 cm long). The flowers are small, bell-shaped and have yellow color. It has ambisexual flowers (Male and female), both types are needed fertilization. Trees begin to bear fruit after 15 to 20 years of planting, yielding 1500 to 2000 pieces/year and is similar to apricot. Each fruit consists of a fleshy pulp surrounding a single edible seed (nutmeg), round in shape with a diameter of 5-6 cm. The seed has woody consistency and covered in a red leathery mass that is called mace – a tissue between the pulp and seeds. Mace is the bright red or purple in color at the time of harvest, but turns to brown when dried.
Chemical composition – Monoterpene hydrocarbons represent more than 80% of α-pinene of the total composition, β-pinene, α and β-terpinene, myrcene, camphene, limonene and sabinene, α and β-phellandrene, 3-carene, terpineol, α-tujene, p-cymene and 1, 4-mentadiene.
Oxygenated monoterpenes compounds representing: Geraniol, α and β-terpineol, citronellol, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, cis and trans sebiene hydrate, α-fenchol, nerol, trans-piperitone, p-cymene-8-ol, acetates of geranyl, linayl, bornyl, terpenyl and neryl. Oxygenated components phenyl-propane, representing: myristicine, eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, metoxyeugenol, elemicine, isoelemicine, safrole, and vanillin. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons: α-cubebene, α-bergamoten, α-humulene, farmesene α, β-bisabolene, δ-cadinene and germacrene D.
Properties – Analgesic, antireumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive, emenagogue, laxative, stimulant and tonic.
Recommendation – Arthritis, rheumatism, lumbago, menstrual disorders, menstrual cramps, depression, hormonal imbalance, indigestion, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea, anorexia, asthma, cough, anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, kidney stones, premature ejaculation.
This plant is incorporated in natural remedy POTENT POWER.