Nutmeg's Details & Specifications

   (3 diseases can be cured by nutmeg. Click here to find more)
 
Botanical Name :  Myristica fragrans Houtt.
Hindi Name :  Jaiphal (View Name of this herb in more Languages)
English Name :  Nutmeg
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Category

 :  Carminative
 
 

Source
Seeds :  Dried
N/A :  N/A
N/A :  N/A
 
 

Family

 :  Myristicaceae
 
 
Geographical Source
The plant is indigenous to East Indies and is found in following countries :- Ceylon East Indies Java Molucca islands Penang Singapore Sumatra West Indies The plant is indigenous to East Indies and is now widely cultivated in various other parts of the world. In India it is cultivated to a very limited extent in the Coonoor valley on the eastern side of the Nilgiris and in the Courtallum hills further south.
 
 

Identification
Organoleptic characteristics
Colour :  N/A
Seeds :  Nutmeg
Taste :  N/A
Size :  Kernels are ovoid about 2-3 cm. long and 1-5-2 cm. broad with light brown surface and shows a network of shallow reticulate grooves marked with numerous small dark-brown points and lines.
Physical Standards
Total Ash :  N/A
Moisture :  N/A
 
 

Chemical Constituents
Major
Major chemical constituents responsible for physicochemical and therapeutic action of the herb are :- Volatile oil (5-15 %) Fixed oil (25 ? 40%) Myristic acid (about 61 %) Palmitic acids Oleic acid Linoleic acid Lauric acids. Nutmeg contains 5-15 per cent of a volatile oil to which it owes its medicinal value, and 25-40 per cent of a fixed oil. The fixed oil yields a solid fat nutmeg butter, which is yellowish in colour. The fatty acids consist mainly of myristic acid (About 61 per cent) with smaller amounts of palmitic, oleic, linoleic and lauric acids.
 
Minor
In minor proportion this drug contains :-- Aromatic Balsam Starch Fibrous Matter Terpineol Borneol Linalol Geraniol Safrole
 
 

Storage
To maintain physicochemical properties and medicinal values of the herb it is recommended to maintain following storage conditions :- Air tight containers Protection from light Protection from moisture