--- title: "Nutmeg: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex" description: "A spice added by the pinch to sweet and milky dishes. Safe in food amounts; more than 1–2 teaspoons can cause poisoning." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/nutmeg/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) # Nutmeg Myristica fragrans T Traditional use A spice added by the pinch to sweet and milky dishes. Safe in food amounts; more than 1–2 teaspoons can cause poisoning. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim Pregnancy **⚠ Avoid** Breastfeeding **Caution** Children **⚠ Avoid** Drug interactions **Interaction reported** ## At a glance Nutmeg is the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree and is traditionally used for indigestion and diarrhoea. Its myristicin and elemicin affect the nervous system in large amounts: poisonings with hallucinations, palpitations, nausea and confusion have been reported above 5 g (about 1–2 teaspoons). It should not be used as a sleep aid. **Parts used:** seeds **Key constituents:** Myristicin, Elemicin, Safrole Updated: October 15, 2026 ℹ Compiled from standard pharmacognosy references and clinical literature summaries where no formal EMA monograph exists. ## What is it used for? - T Traditional use Traditionally used as a spice for indigestion and wind. \[1\] ## How is it used? ### Food Add a pinch (under 0.5 g) of grated nutmeg to béchamel, mash, milk puddings and drinks. **Amount:** A pinch in food \[1\] ## Safety & interactions - Never use outside cooking, for sleep or a "high": amounts over 5 g are poisonous. - Keep out of reach of children. - In pregnancy, use no more than a pinch in food. \[1\] \[2\] ### Drug interactions | Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | Sedatives and psychiatric medicines | Nervous system effects may increase at high amounts. [2] | Moderate | ### Side effects - At high amounts: nausea, palpitations, dizziness, hallucinations, confusion #### ⚕ When to see a doctor - If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops - If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen - If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs ## Did you know? In the 17th century the Dutch gave Manhattan to the English in exchange for a nutmeg-producing island in the Bandas. \[1\] ## Frequently asked questions Does nutmeg help sleep? Not meaningfully in food amounts. Using large amounts for sleep is poisonous. How much nutmeg is safe? A pinch in cooking is safe; over 5 g (1–2 teaspoons) is dangerous. Nutmeg vs mace? Mace is the red lacy covering around the seed; it tastes milder. ## Sources 1. [EFSA Compendium of Botanicals Reported to Contain Naturally Occurring Substances of Possible Concern](https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/data-report/compendium-botanicals) EFSA · 2022 2. [Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy (16th Edition)](https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780702029332/trease-and-evans-pharmacognosy) Elsevier Health Sciences · 2009 ### Cite This Page Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/nutmeg/ ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to Prepare Herbal Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/how-to-prepare-herbal-tea/) - [How to Use Essential Oils Safely](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/essential-oil-safety/) - [Herbal Products and Drug Interactions](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herb-drug-interactions/) ## On this page At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Did you know? Frequently asked questions Sources Related herbs ## Related herbs ### [Flaxseed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/flaxseed/) A Strong clinical evidence Linum usitatissimum Taken with plenty of liquid, flaxseed may help soften stools in habitual constipation; drinking enough fluid with it is essential. 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[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1 [Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/) ### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/) A Strong clinical evidence Plantago ovata Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Senna](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/senna/) A Strong clinical evidence Senna alexandrina A stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. No longer than 1 week; not for children under 12, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ## Other herbs in the same preparation form (Spice) [Spice →](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Red Pepper Flakes](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/red-pepper-flakes/) A Strong clinical evidence Capsicum annuum Made by drying and crushing red chillies. Its capsaicin is used in effective nerve-pain creams; its effect in food is small. [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Saffron](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/saffron/) B Limited clinical evidence Crocus sativus The world's most expensive spice. Meta-analyses found 30 mg of saffron extract daily helped mild-to-moderate depression symptoms. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Black Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-pepper/) B Limited clinical evidence Piper nigrum The world's most widely used spice. Its piperine markedly increases the absorption of some compounds, such as curcumin from turmeric. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Sumac](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sumac/) B Limited clinical evidence Rhus coriaria A sour, red spice. Small clinical studies reported modest improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol in type 2 diabetes. [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.