Last verified: 16 days ago
Nutmeg
Also known as: Myristica fragrans, Mace, Jaiphal, Pala
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Traditional spice with early-stage research on pain and inflammation. No proven human supplement benefits yet.
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What it does
Nutmeg is a tropical spice from the Myristica fragrans tree, used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine for digestive complaints and pain. Modern lab and animal research suggests its active...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies for oral supplementation
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Found in
What the Science Says
Nutmeg is a tropical spice from the Myristica fragrans tree, used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine for digestive complaints and pain. Modern lab and animal research suggests its active compounds — including myristicin, macelignan, and lignans — may have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, primarily through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. When applied topically as part of a multi-ingredient formula, nutmeg oil has shown pain-relieving effects comparable to diclofenac in small clinical trials, though it has not been tested as a standalone ingredient in humans.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't reliably treat pain on its own — every positive clinical trial used it mixed with other active ingredients. No proven benefit for cancer in humans; the bladder cancer research is computer modeling and lab cells only. Not a proven cognitive enhancer in humans. No solid evidence it helps with blood sugar, lung injury, or disc degeneration in people.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Nutmeg is a tropical spice from the Myristica fragrans tree, used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine for digestive complaints and pain. Modern lab and animal research suggests its active compounds — including myristicin, macelignan, and lignans — may have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, primarily through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. When applied topically as part of a multi-ingredient formula, nutmeg oil has shown pain-relieving effects comparable to diclofenac in small clinical trials, though it has not been tested as a standalone ingredient in humans.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies for oral supplementation
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown for oral supplementation in humans. Some phenolic acids and lignans were detected in mouse blood in one study, but human absorption data is not available from the provided papers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Myristicin, a key active compound in nutmeg, is a known psychoactive and toxic substance at high doses — nutmeg has a documented history of abuse as a hallucinogen
- Indonesian nutmeg supplies show significant contamination with aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A (potent carcinogenic mycotoxins), with up to 45% of samples testing positive in some regions
- No clinical trials test nutmeg as a standalone oral supplement — all human pain studies used multi-ingredient topical blends, making it impossible to attribute benefits to nutmeg alone
- Quality control is a serious concern: moisture content alone does not prevent mycotoxin contamination, meaning even 'dry' nutmeg products may carry harmful mold toxins
Products Containing Nutmeg
See how Nutmeg is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-06