Monographs of essential oils that have caused contact allergy / allergic contact dermatitis
Anton C. de Groot in Monographs in Contact Allergy, 2021
Myristica fragrans Houtt. is a spreading, medium- to large-sized, aromatic evergreen tree usually growing to around 5-13 meter high, occasionally 20 meter. The origin of the nutmeg is uncertain but may include the Indonesian Molucca Islands (the ‘spice islands’). The tree is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Caribbean (Grenada) and to a lesser extent elsewhere, mainly for its nutmegs, the hard kernels of its seed (3,4,7). The export of nutmeg is dominated by Indonesia and Grenada, and broadly speaking both nutmeg and its derivatives are classified as East Indian (Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka) or West Indian (Carribean, Grenada) (2,3). The East Indian nutmeg is superior in flavor to the West Indian (3,4,7). Nutmeg is the hard kernel of the seed of M. fragrans; dried crimson aril (bright red cover of the seed) is the spice mace.
Myristicin
Dongyou Liu in Handbook of Foodborne Diseases, 2018
Symptoms of nutmeg poisoning imply some modulation of the central nervous system (agitation/irritability, dizziness/vertigo, drowsiness/lethargy, and hallucinations/delusions). The onset of symptoms usually occurs 1 hour after exposure and may last for 24 hours and may consist of drowsiness passing into stupor. The patient often is aroused with difficulty, and shows other evidence of cerebral depression. Acute psychotic episodes, detachment from reality, visual hallucinations, taking the form of time, color, or space distortions can occur. Patients may be hostile, combative, and agitated.17 Chronic psychosis with prolonged use (120–650 mg at a time) has been reported in a male individual.69 The pupils are generally widely dilated, and dryness of the throat may be felt at first.64 Therefore, some studies have been performed to explain the neurotoxicity of nutmeg.
Medicinal Plants in Natural Health Care as Phytopharmaceuticals
Anil K. Sharma, Raj K. Keservani, Surya Prakash Gautam in Herbal Product Development, 2020
It is a lofty tree with branches slender, leaves 7−8 cm, dark green, entire, lanceolate, flowers yellow, dioecious. Fruits are ovoid, sub-globose, 4−5 cm. The plant is widely used as spices as well as for medicinal purpose in the Unani System of Medicine since times immemorial. The plant nutmeg was introduced by a saydalaneh (pharmacist in Arabic) for its clinical use. As per Unani nature, nutmeg is hot and dry. It is a very common and prevalent drug used as digestive, carminative, appetizer, exhilarant and mood elevator, anti-tussive, anti-emetic, demulcent, aphrodisiac, stomachic, liver, nervine, cardio and uterine tonic in the Unani System of Medicine. The extensive information for its use is provided in Unani text by Greek physicians so it is used in many compound formulations and useful recipes. Any research fimdings have shown that it possesses good digestive, appetizing, exhilarant properties; it is also used as mood elevator, anti-tussive, anti-emetic, nervine tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-diarrhoeal, liver tonic, cardiotonic and uterine tonic. Recent studies have shown its anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Further, the scope of research can also be explored with the help of traditional knowledge of Unani and other customary medication.
Stoned on spices: a mini-review of three commonly abused household spices
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2021
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, Susan Smolinske
Nutmeg contains volatile (essential) oil, fixed (fatty) oil, and fiber. The fixed oil has no culinary value and lacks clinical effects. The essential oil contains from 4–12% myristicin as well as monoterpenes, eugenol, and toluene [3]. One tablespoon of ground nutmeg (or a single nutmeg seed) weighs approximately 7 g [8]. Typical recreational doses of nutmeg range from 5–30 g, and ingestion of less than 10 g generally does not result in toxicity [3]. However, the concentrations of nutmeg’s active components are variable and may be influenced by factors such as botanical source, quality, and storage [9]. This is evidenced by the unpredictability in clinical symptoms encountered after nutmeg overdose. While ingestion of 14 g of nutmeg in one case resulted in flushing, a sense of impending doom, and dry mouth lasting for up to 60 h, ingestion of 28 g of nutmeg in another case resulted in tachycardia, miosis, paranoia, and hallucinations which lasted only 18 h [8,10].
Drugs of abuse and ocular effects
Published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 2021
Valérie Proulx, Benoit Tousignant
Nutmeg is normally used like a spice for cooking, but it is possible to use it for its hallucinogenic properties. The active substance producing the effects is 3-methoxy-4.5 methylenedioxyamphetamine. It is normally swallowed or ingested.144 There have been recurrent reports of visual hallucinations,145 and occasional cases of mydriasis and blurry vision.144–146 All these cases are thought to be caused by myristicin, contained in the volatile oil of nutmeg. This component is thought to be transformed into 3-methoxy-4,5 methylenedioxyamphetamine, also known as MMDA, a sympathomimetic with hallucinogenic effects.145
Related Knowledge Centers
- Contact Dermatitis
- Essential Oil
- Psychoactive Drug
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- Allergy
- Fruit
- Prescription Drug
- Pudding
- Dioecy
- Saffron