The aromatic cure: A scientific review of Nutmeg’s medicinal properties

Ullagaddi, Rajeshwari (2025) The aromatic cure: A scientific review of Nutmeg’s medicinal properties. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 15 (1). pp. 1656-1663. ISSN 2582-8185

An aromatic spice sourced from the seeds of a tropical evergreen tree native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia, nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) has been admired for millennia for its cookery and its many therapeutic uses. Nutmeg has long been used in traditional medical systems such as Unani and Ayurveda for severe gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Modern medical research developments are now supported by scientific evidence for these customary applications. Based on many therapeutic values, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, carminative, and neuroprotective, nutmeg has risen as a prospective natural compound. Most of these advantages are ascribed to the many bioactive compounds, including myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, and sabinene, present in it. These plant compounds have been discovered to regulate several biochemical systems, lower oxidative stress, fight microbial infections, and improve cognitive function. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the active ingredients of nutmeg are discussed in depth in this review, emphasizing their mechanisms of action and possible medicinal uses. Furthermore, it integrates data from many different types of research, including in vitro studies, animal models, and a small number of clinical trials, to provide a thorough assessment of the therapeutic effectiveness of nutmeg. Moreover, covered are safety issues, dosage concerns, as well as possible toxicities linked with overconsumption. In general, this post tries to link modern science and traditional knowledge, providing an updated and comprehensive view of the medicinal use of nutmeg and its potential as a complementary or substitute therapeutic agent in current medicine.