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Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Nutmeg, the dried seed of Myristica fragrans, is both a culinary spice and a traditional medicinal botanical in Ayurveda, Unani, and Southeast Asian systems. Its essential oil contains myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, safrole, and various monoterpenes, while the seed also provides lignans and macelignan. Traditional uses span digestive comfort (carminative), occasional sleep support, and oral health. Modern preclinical research highlights antioxidant, sedative, and antimicrobial activities, with small human trials exploring sleep and digestive endpoints. Critical safety: while small culinary and standardized supplement doses (~250-500 mg extract) are considered safe, intentional ingestion of large amounts of raw nutmeg (typically >5 g, equivalent to ~1-2 whole nutmegs) produces dose-dependent psychoactive, anticholinergic, and hepatotoxic effects, with documented cases of severe toxicity and rare fatalities. Nutmeg products must be used strictly at label-recommended doses.

Studied Dose Culinary and supplement doses typically 250-500 mg/day standardized extract; raw nutmeg >5 g causes acute toxicity.
Active Compound Myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, safrole, macelignan, and various lignans and monoterpene volatiles.

Benefits

Supports Digestive Comfort

Nutmeg has been used traditionally as a carminative spice to support digestive comfort, ease occasional bloating, and promote a settled stomach after meals. Its volatile oils are believed to support gastrointestinal motility.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Promotes Restful Sleep at Low Doses

In traditional preparations, small amounts of nutmeg have been used in warm milk before bed to support relaxation and restful sleep. Preliminary research explores its mild sedative properties at low, safe doses.

Supported by Trial 1

Contributes Antioxidant Compounds

Nutmeg lignans including macelignan and various polyphenols provide antioxidant activity, helping neutralize free radicals and support cellular defense as part of a varied antioxidant-rich diet.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Supports Oral and Microbial Balance

Nutmeg essential oil constituents have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against common oral pathogens in laboratory studies, supporting interest in nutmeg-derived ingredients for oral care and balance.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

GABAergic Sedative Activity

Preclinical models suggest myristicin and related nutmeg volatiles modulate GABAergic neurotransmission and serotonergic pathways, which may underlie the mild sedative and anxiolytic-like effects reported in animal studies.

2

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Lignans

Macelignan and related nutmeg lignans inhibit lipid peroxidation, scavenge free radicals, and modulate NF-kB-driven inflammatory cytokine production in vitro, providing mechanistic basis for antioxidant claims.

3

MAO Inhibition by Myristicin

Myristicin and elemicin demonstrate weak monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity in vitro, which contributes to the psychoactive effects observed at toxic doses and underlies safety concerns regarding excessive intake.

4

Carminative Smooth Muscle Effects

Nutmeg essential oil constituents exert antispasmodic effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle in preclinical models, helping ease gas and supporting the traditional carminative use of the spice.

Clinical trials

1
Nutmeg Sleep Support Pilot Study

Small clinical investigation of low-dose nutmeg preparation on sleep quality

Adults with mild sleep complaints

Low-dose nutmeg preparations demonstrated modest improvements in subjective sleep quality and time to fall asleep compared to baseline, without notable next-day sedation. Authors emphasized the importance of strict dose control given the well-documented toxicity profile of higher amounts.

2
Nutmeg Acute Toxicity Case Series

Retrospective poison control center case series of nutmeg ingestions

Adolescents and adults presenting after intentional or accidental high-dose nutmeg use

Ingestion of large quantities of nutmeg (typically more than 5 grams) produced anticholinergic toxidrome including tachycardia, dry mouth, flushing, agitation, hallucinations, and prolonged neurological symptoms. Case reports confirm that nutmeg toxicity is real and dose-dependent, reinforcing label-dose adherence.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

High doses OF raw nutmeg (>5 g) cause severe psychoactive and anticholinergic toxicity.
Symptoms of overdose include hallucinations, tachycardia, dry mouth, nausea, agitation, and seizures.
Hepatotoxicity has been reported with intentional large overdoses and may be delayed.
Standard culinary and supplement doses (~250-500 mg extract) are generally well tolerated.
Allergic skin reactions to nutmeg or mace are rare but possible in sensitive individuals.

Important Drug interactions

May potentiate effects of MAO inhibitor antidepressants; avoid combined use.
Additive sedation possible with benzodiazepines, opioids, alcohol, and other CNS depressants.
May enhance anticholinergic side effects of tricyclics, antihistamines, and antimuscarinics.
Theoretical interaction with serotonergic drugs increasing serotonin syndrome risk at high doses.

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Frequently asked questions about Nutmeg

What is nutmeg used for?

Nutmeg is a warming spice used in small amounts for digestive comfort and, traditionally, for sleep and relaxation. It is mostly a culinary spice, and its medicinal use is limited by safety concerns at higher doses.

Does nutmeg help with sleep?

A small pinch of nutmeg in warm milk is a traditional bedtime remedy for relaxation and sleep. However, this should stay in culinary amounts, because larger doses are not safe.

How much nutmeg is safe?

Keep nutmeg to culinary amounts (a pinch to a small fraction of a teaspoon). Doses of around one to two whole teaspoons or more can be toxic.

Is nutmeg safe?

In normal culinary amounts nutmeg is safe. In large doses it contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and other toxic effects, so it should never be taken in large amounts. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal doses.

What is Nutmeg?

Nutmeg, the dried seed of Myristica fragrans, is both a culinary spice and a traditional medicinal botanical in Ayurveda, Unani, and Southeast Asian systems. Its essential oil contains myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, safrole, and various monoterpenes, while the seed also provides lignans and macelignan.

What is the recommended dosage of Nutmeg?

The clinically studied dose is Culinary and supplement doses typically 250-500 mg/day standardized extract; raw nutmeg >5 g causes acute toxicity. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Nutmeg safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Nutmeg is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: High doses OF raw nutmeg (>5 g) cause severe psychoactive and anticholinergic toxicity. Symptoms of overdose include hallucinations, tachycardia, dry mouth, nausea, agitation, and seizures. It may also interact with some medications. Nutmeg is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Nutmeg interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May potentiate effects of MAO inhibitor antidepressants; avoid combined use. Additive sedation possible with benzodiazepines, opioids, alcohol, and other CNS depressants. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Nutmeg?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Nutmeg as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Luo J, Yang X, Bai M, Xie J, He Y, Gan Z, et al. Myristica fragrans: A comprehensive review of its botanical characterization, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026;358:120916. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120916.PubMedUsed to support: Comprehensive review of Myristica fragrans phytochemistry (myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, lignans) and reported pharmacology including carminative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative and toxicological properties.
  2. Stein U, Greyer H, Hentschel H. Nutmeg (myristicin) poisoning--report on a fatal case and a series of cases recorded by a poison information centre. Forensic Science International. 2001;Forensic Sci Int. 2001 Apr 1;118(1):87-90..PubMedUsed to support: Forensic case series including a fatal nutmeg ingestion and additional poisonings reported to a poison information centre, documenting psychoactive toxicity of high-dose myristicin-containing nutmeg.
  3. Sonavane GS, Sarveiya VP, Kasture VS, Kasture SB. Anxiogenic activity of Myristica fragrans seeds. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 2002;Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2002 Jan;71(1-2):239-44..PubMedUsed to support: Animal behavioral pharmacology study characterizing neuro-behavioral effects of Myristica fragrans seeds, illustrating dose-dependent CNS activity relevant to traditional and toxic uses.