EU_Declaration91617.pdf
Botanical Name: Myristica Fragrans Common name: Nutmeg Read More
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Botanical Name: |
Myristica Fragrans |
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Common name: |
Nutmeg |
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Plant family: |
Myristicaceae |
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Genus: |
Myristica |
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Appearance/Color: |
Colorless to slight yellow color liquid having clear and thin consistency |
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Odor: |
It has a sweet, spicy scent reminiscent of nutmeg with medium aroma at middle note |
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Blends With: |
Lavender, Bay, Orange, Geranium, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Lime, Petitgrain, Mandarin and Coriander |
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Origin: |
Sri Lanka |
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Source: |
Aril (pericarp) which surrounds the ripe seed |
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Method of Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
Myristica fragrans is commonly named nutmeg or mace. It is an aromatic evergreen tree with spreading branches and a yellow fleshy fruit similar in appearance to an apricot or peach. The nutmeg fruit is pendulous and similar in presentation to a peach. When fully mature, it splits in two, exposing a crimson-colored aril. This is the mace which surrounds the nutmeg pit. Mace is a vibrant, red-colored seed husk covering (aril).
Myristica fragrans is a small evergreen tree, usually 5–13 m (16–43 ft) tall, but occasionally reaching 20 m (66 ft). The alternately arranged leaves are dark green, 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in) long by 2–7 cm (0.8–2.8 in) wide with petioles about 1 cm (0.4 in) long.
Mace Essential Oil has a history of medical use in combination with nutmeg. It has progressed over time and is added to soaps, perfumes and it is also used as a cooking ingredient. It smells like and is very close to nutmeg in its makeup. Its analgesic properties also make it useful for treating muscle fatigue and arthritis.
Mace Oil in Pharma
The essential oil derived from Mace is the most efficacious. The oil is a potent brain booster. It increases concentration and relieves stress. Mace is an excellent liver tonic. It dissolves kidney stones and prevents infection. The herb is also beneficial for the heart as it stimulates blood circulation. Mace’s anti-inflammatory properties are used to treat joint and muscle aches.
The seed of nutmeg is rich in essential oils. It is a bitter, astringent, spicy herb that acts as a warming, digestive tonic. It controls vomiting and relaxes spasms. When applied externally, it has an antiinflammatory effect. Nutmeg is also said to have stimulant, carminative and aphrodisiac properties. The seed is taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, abdominal distension, indigestion and colic. Externally, the seed is used to treat toothache, rheumatic and abdominal pains (including labour pains). Some caution is advised - taken in excess the seed can cause severe headache, nausea, dizziness and delirium. The seed is used in Ayurveda to treat poor digestion, insomnia, urinary incontinence and premature ejaculation.
Essence of Mace Oil
Nutmeg contains 25–30% fixed oils and 5–15% volatile oils (camphrene, eugenol, etc.), and also other molecules such as myristic acid, myristicin, and lignin compounds. Among these molecules, eugenol is widely used in dentistry, and is very effective in antibacterial activity against oral bacteria. Nutmeg essence is mostly used to alter spicy notes. It is sometimes added to eaux de Colognes and eaux de toilettes for men. Used as a flavor enhancer in mashed potatoes, soups, baked or cooked dishes, candies, chewing gum, beverages and breakfast cereal.
COMMON USAGE
· Analgesic
· Anti-rheumatic
· Antiseptic
· Anti-spasmodic
· Carminative
· Digestive
· Laxative
· Stimulant and tonic
· Stimulate appetite
· Assisting the reproductive system
Ingredients:
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S.No |
Key Constituents |
Strength (%) |
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1 |
?-Pinene |
16.3–26.7 |
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2 |
?-Pinene |
10.6–20.0 |
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3 |
Sabinene |
12.5–14.5 |
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4 |
Terpinen-4-ol |
4.4–14.0 |
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5 |
?-Terpinene |
4.9–11.6 |
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6 |
?-Phellandreneþ1,8-cineole |
4.9–11.6 |
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7 |
(?)-Limonene |
4.2–9.4 |
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8 |
?-Terpinene |
4.8–7.5 |
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9 |
Myristicin |
1.3–3.8 |
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10 |
Elemicin |
0.2–2.0 |
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11 |
Safrole |
0.2–1.9 |
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12 |
?-Terpineol |
0.7–1.2 |
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13 |
Methyleugenol |
0.1–0.2 |
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14 |
Isoeugenol |
0–0.1 |
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Safety Summary
· Hazards: Potentially carcinogenic, based on safrole and methyleugenol content; may be psychotropic.
· Respiratory sensitization: Breathing high concentrations of vapor may cause anesthetic effects.
Safety advice
Recommended maximum dermal use of 2% for the Sri Lankan oil and a maximum oral dose of 73 mg based on 1.9% safrole and 0.2% methyleugenol content, and a dermal maximum of 4.1% and a maximum oral dose of 146 mg for the Sri Lankan oil based on 0.7% safrole and 0.2% methyleugenol. These are based on dermal limits of 0.05% and 0.02%, and oral dose limits of 0.025 and 0.01 mg/kg for safrole and methyleugenol, respectively.
Organ Specific Effects
· Adverse skin reaction: Undiluted mace oil was moderately irritating to rabbits, but was not irritating to mice or pigs; tested at 8% on 25 volunteers it was neither irritating nor sensitizing. It is non-phototoxic.
· Neurotoxicity: Psychotropic effects have been reported for nutmeg in high doses. Myristicin and elemicin are thought to be responsible, but other synergistic elements may need to be present for a psychotropic effect to take place.
Systemic Effects
· Acute Toxicity: Mace oil acute oral LD50 in rats 3.64 g/kg; acute dermal LD50 in rabbits >5 g/kg.
· Carcinogenic/anti carcinogenic potential: No data was found for mace oil. Safrole and methyleugenol are carcinogenic if the dose is sufficiently high; (þ)-limonene and myristicin display anticarcinogenic activity.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Toxicity
· Acute fish toxicity (LC50 / 96 HOUR) – No data available
· Toxicity to aquatic plants – No data available
· Toxicity to microorganisms – No data available
· Toxicity threshold – No data available
· Persistence and degradability Biodegradation is expected
· Bio-accumulative potential Bioaccumulation is unlikely
Avoid exposure to marine environments and waterways.
