Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Nutmeg is a warm, spicy single oil distilled from the seed, prized aromatically for its cozy, energizing character.
How to use it
2–3 drops is an energizing, cozy addition to seasonal blends, especially with citrus or clove.
Dilute before any topical use — nutmeg can be warming at higher concentrations.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute low in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Contains myristicin, which is toxic and psychoactive in large amounts — use nutmeg oil in low dilution only, and never ingest concentrated oil.
- Traditionally avoided during pregnancy; not for young children.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: JEOB study (2003)
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 38 GC-MS samples across 11 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2019–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 68.6%
- Oxygenated monoterpene 11%
- Unclassified 10.7%
- Phenylpropanoid / aromatic 5.2%
- Other terpenoid/aromatic 2.3%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 2.2%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sabinene ↗ C10H16 | 20.8% | 15.4–29.9% | 48.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| myristicin ↗ C11H12O3 | 10.6% | 4.5–19.3% | 56.0% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 9.4% | 5.1–12.0% | 17.2% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 5.7% | 4.5–6.8% | 12.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| terpinen-4-ol ↗ C10H18O | 5.2% | 3.6–8.6% | 13.6% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 4.9% | 3.1–5.7% | 6.5% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| safrole ↗ C10H10O2 | 3.7% | 2.4–6.3% | 7.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| methyleugenol ↗ C11H14O2 | 3.0% | 0.7–5.3% | 5.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| γ-terpinene ↗ C10H16 | 2.2% | 1.5–3.0% | 6.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 2.2% | 2.2–2.2% | 2.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-thujene ↗ C10H16 | 1.8% | 1.0–2.3% | 2.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| p-cymene ↗ C10H14 | 1.3% | 0.8–2.8% | 4.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
+ 52 more compounds reported across the dataset.
11 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Khamnuan S, Intharuksa A, Phrutivorapongkul A, Theansungnoen T, Chaichit S, Thongkhao K, Samutrtai P, Sawangrat K. (2026). Comparative GC-MS fingerprint analysis of <i>M. fragrans</i> and <i>M. argentea</i> essential oils: Identifying potential markers for safety and quality control of nutmeg. Food chemistry: X.
- Lanari D, Zadra C, Negro F, Njem R, Marcotullio MC. (2022). Influence of choline chloride-based NADES on the composition of Myristica fragrans Houtt. essential oil. Heliyon.
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Manini P, Dusemund B. (2023). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Matulyte I, Marksa M, Ivanauskas L, Kalvėnienė Z, Lazauskas R, Bernatoniene J. (2019). GC-MS Analysis of the Composition of the Extracts and Essential Oil from Myristica fragrans Seeds Using Magnesium Aluminometasilicate as Excipient. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Yin H, Zhang H, Cui J, Wu Q, Huang L, Qiu J, Zhang X, Xiang Y, Li B, Liu H, Tang Z, Zhang Y, Zhu H. (2024). Enrichment of Nutmeg Essential Oil from Oil-in-Water Emulsions with PAN-Based Membranes. Membranes.
- Abdillah AE, Sarah D, Ardian AA, Anas MA, Aprianto MA, Hanim C, Kurniawati A, Muhlisin, Yusiati LM. (2024). Effect of nutmeg essential oil (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) on methane production, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in vitro. Scientific reports.
- Angilia C, Sary NL, Indah R, Suryawati S, Farsa BS, Zeir HA, Fajri F, Husna F. (2024). Wound healing effect of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) cream on second-degree burn in animal model. Narra J.
- Minaz M. (2024). A new herbal anesthetic agent for common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sedation and anesthesia: nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) essential oil. Frontiers in veterinary science.
- Trifan A, Zengin G, Korona-Glowniak I, Skalicka-Woźniak K, Luca SV. (2023). Essential Oils and Sustainability: In Vitro Bioactivity Screening of Myristica fragrans Houtt. Post-Distillation By-Products. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Vakili F, Roosta Z, Safari R, Raeisi M, Hossain MS, Guerreiro I, Akbarzadeh A, Hoseinifar SH. (2022). Effects of dietary nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seed meals on growth, non-specific immune indices, antioxidant status, gene expression analysis, and cold stress tolerance in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Frontiers in nutrition.
- Matulyte I, Marksa M, Bernatoniene J. (2021). Development of Innovative Chewable Gel Tablets Containing Nutmeg Essential Oil Microcapsules and Their Physical Properties Evaluation. Pharmaceutics.
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Myristicin — a minor but significant constituent that is psychoactive and toxic in large amounts — the basis of nutmeg oil's low-dilution guidance JEOB study (2003)
Once the world's only source of the spice, nutmeg was among the most fought-over commodities of the spice trade.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
-
Nutmeg oil has been characterised chemically and studied for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. Its myristicin content is the reason for cautious use rather than a benefit — large doses are toxic.
JEOB study (2003)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Nutmeg's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
-
Nutmeg oil is a monoterpene-rich oil led by sabinene and the pinenes, with myristicin present in small amounts that nonetheless drive its safety cautions.
JEOB study (2003)
Frequently asked questions
Is nutmeg oil safe to use?
In low dilution for aromatic and topical use, yes — but nutmeg contains myristicin, which is toxic and psychoactive in large amounts. Never ingest the concentrated oil, keep dilution low, and avoid it during pregnancy. JEOB study (2003)
What does nutmeg oil smell like?
Warm, sweet, and spicy with a woody-terpenic edge from its high sabinene and pinene content — cosier and rounder than the sharp spice oils like clove or cinnamon. JEOB study (2003)
Is nutmeg oil phototoxic?
No — it isn't phototoxic. The real precaution is its myristicin content, which calls for low dilution and no ingestion.
Gallery
The plant & source
Nutmeg is the seed of Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree native to the Banda Islands in present-day Indonesia’s Moluccas archipelago — once the world’s only source of the spice, and one of the most fought-over commodities of the early European colonial spice trade.
How it’s extracted
The oil is steam-distilled from the dried, cracked seed, producing a warm, spicy, slightly sweet aroma familiar from holiday baking — though the essential oil itself is far more concentrated than ground kitchen nutmeg.
Aroma
Warm and spicy with a peppery edge and a faint sweetness, closer to clove or allspice than to anything floral or fresh.
Traditional & everyday uses
Beyond the kitchen, nutmeg has a long history as a warming aromatic in traditional recipes across the cultures that first traded it. Today it’s mostly diffused for a cozy, seasonal atmosphere.
In the diffuser: 2–3 drops is an energizing, cozy addition to seasonal blends, especially alongside citrus or clove.
On skin: dilute before any topical application; nutmeg can be warming on skin at higher concentrations.
Safety note
This single-oil bottle is not intended for ingestion — nutmeg’s active compounds have a documented history of toxicity concern at high internal doses, so aromatic and properly diluted topical use is the appropriate lane for this product. Young Living’s Nutmeg Vitality is the version formulated for culinary use per label directions.
Found in these blends
Nutmeg is one of the oils inside 3 Young Living blends.