Ethnobotany of nutmeg in the Spice Islands.
C Van Gils, P A Cox
Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1994 DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)90105-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnography Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Herbal remedy vendors, healers, and midwives in Maluku and Central and East Java, Indonesia |
| Key findings | Nutmeg remains in use for culinary and medicinal purposes in its area of origin, including for diarrhea, mouth sores, and insomnia. The authors report no evidence supporting previously published claims of hallucinogenic or other psychoactive properties beyond a mild sedative action, and argue that anecdotal reports of nutmeg as a hallucinogen should be re-evaluated more critically. |
Abstract
Nutmeg, endemic to the Maluku Province of Indonesia (formerly known as the Spice Islands), has long been of importance both as a spice and as a commodity that was once of geopolitical significance. Although its botany, cultivation, and history have been studied, ethnobotanical studies of nutmeg in its place of origin are noticeably lacking. The ethnobotany of nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae), was studied in the Indonesian provinces of Maluku and Central and East Java. Historical and current indigenous uses of the fruit and seed are described. Information regarding medicinal aspects was gathered from vendors of herbal remedies, healers, and midwives. It was found that M.fragrans is still used for both culinary and medicinal purposes in its area of origin. M.fragrans is used for diarrhea, mouth sores, and insomnia. In addition, no evidence was found to support previously published reports of nutmeg's hallucinogenic or other psychoactive properties other than a mild sedative action. A renewed suggestion is made that anecdotal reports of nutmeg use as a hallucinogen be revaluated more critically.