Related Terms

• Aflatoxins, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, basbas (Arabic), basbasah (Arabic), basbaz (Persian), beta-phellandrene, beta-pinene, bicuiba (Portuguese), borneol, buah pala (Malay), bunga pala (Malay), chan thet (Thai), chant heed (Laotian), cineole, dâu khâu (Vietnamese), diarylpropanoids, dihydroguaiaretic acid (DHGA), dilignan, dok chand (Thai), elemicin, estragole, eugenol, fleur de muscade (French), flor de noz moscada (Brazilian Portuguese), foelie (Dutch), gamma-terpinene, gerinol, industan djevisi (Turkish), isoeugenol, jaaiipatrii (Nepali), jaayphala (Hindi), jadikkai (Tamil), jaephal (Hindi), jaiphal (Bengali), jaiphul (Hindi), jaitri (Hindi), jajikaia (Telugu), jajipatri (Sanskrit), jajiphalam (Sanskrit), japatri (Telugu), jathi seed (Malayalam), jathikkai (Thai), jati pattiri (Tamil), jatikka (Tamil), javitri (Hindi), jayaphal (Nepali), josat al teeb (Arabic), jousbuva (Arabic), jouzboyah (Persian), jouzuttib (Arabic), kambang pala (Malay, Java), kembang pala (Malay), licarin-B, lignans (macelignan), ligroin, look jun (Thai), macia (Spanish), macis (French, Spanish), malabaricone B, malabaricone C, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (DGA), methoxyeugenol, methyleugenol, moscada (Spanish), moscadeira (Portuguese), moscadero (Spanish), moschokarydo (Greek), muscadier (French), Muskatbaum (German), Muskatblüte (German), muskatnii orekh (Russian), muskatnød (Danish), muskatnogo orekha (Russian), muskatnoi drechi (Russian), Muskatnuβ (German), Muskatnuβbaum (German), muskott (Swedish), myristic acid, myristica, Myristica argentea, Myristica cagayanensis, Myristica fragrans, Myristica malabarica, Myristica officinalis, Myristicaceae (family), Myristicae aril, Myristicae semen, myristicin, neolignans, nhuc dâu khau (Vietnamese), nikuzuku (Japanese), noce moscata (Italian), nogal moscado (Spanish), noix de banda (French), noix muscade (French), nootmuskaat (Dutch), nootmuskaatboom (Dutch), noz moscada (Brazilian Portuguese), nuez moscada (Spanish), nutmeg, nux moschata, nuz moscada (Portuguese), otobaphenol, pala (Indonesian), pala banda (Malay), pattiri (Tamil), pied de muscade (French), resorcinols, rou dou kou (Chinese), rou dou kou yi (Chinese), rou guo (Chinese), rou kou (Chinese), sadikka (Sinhalese), safrole, sekar pala (Malay), sushonaya shelukha (Russian), taiphal (Hindi), taipmal (Hindi), taukau (Chinese), terpene, terpinen-4-ol, terpineol, trimyristin, vicuiba (Telugu), volatile oil, yu guo (Chinese), yu guo hua (Chinese), zadeikpo (Burmese).

• Note: This monograph focuses on mace, not nutmeg; mace is the aril (seed covering) of the nutmeg seed (Myristica fragrans).

Background

• Nutmeg and mace are two commonly used spices originating from the same tree, Myristica fragrans. Nutmeg is derived from the seed of the tree and mace from the seed covering.

• Nutmeg has a history of abuse as a popular recreational psychoactive drug. However, mace does not have a history of this use.

• Based on human study, mace extract, when used as part of a chewing gum, may decrease plaque and gingivitis. Although not well studied in humans, mace extract may also have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Mace is a popular medicine in India to treat measles.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Abortifacient (induces abortion), anesthetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antihistamine, antioxidant, antispasmodic (suppresses spasms), antiviral, anxiety, arthritis, bad breath, blood clots, breast milk stimulant, cancer, cervical cancer, childbirth (topical), colon cancer, dental caries, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, dyspepsia (indigestion), epilepsy, fever, flavoring agent, food preservative, gas, gastric cancer, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, hallucinogenic, heart disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypnotic, immune function, inflammation, insecticidal, insomnia, kidney disease, leukemia, liver protection, lung cancer, malaria, measles, memory, menstrual flow stimulant, mouth sores, narcotic, nausea, nerve damage, osteoporosis, pain relief, preservative, psychosis, radiation protection, schizophrenia, sedative, sexual dysfunction, skin cancer, skin conditions, sleep, ulcers, vomiting, weight loss.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• Various doses have been studied, but there is no proven effective dose for mace.

• For gingivitis, chewing gum containing mace extract after every meal has been used.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for mace in children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to plants in the Myristicaceae family, including mace and nutmeg. An immediate asthmatic reaction to mace, following inhalation, has been reported. Contact dermatitis has been reported in sensitive individuals.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Mace may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

• Drowsiness or sedation may occur. Use caution if driving or operating heavy machinery, or if taking sedatives or central nervous system depressants.

• Mace may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

• Avoid use of mace in doses higher than normally found in the diet. Toxic effects of a related herb (nutmeg), through accidental or intentional exposure, may result in severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurologic, ocular, and psychiatric adverse events. High doses of mace may cause euphoria and hallucinations.

• Avoid large amounts of mace in pregnant women.

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to plants in the Myristicaceae family, including mace and nutmeg.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Although normal dietary consumption of mace is likely safe in pregnant and breastfeeding women, medicinal doses are not recommended due to potential abortion-inducing effects.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Mace may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

• Mace may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs that use the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potential serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with their qualified healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, about possible interactions.

• Mace may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include sedatives, benzodiadepin (such as lorazepam (Ativan®) or diazepam (Valium®)), barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), narcotics (such as codeine), some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.

• Mace may also interact with anesthetics, antianxiety agents, antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungals, anti-inflammatory agents, antiprotozoal agents, antiulcer drugs, calcium channel blockers, central nervous system depressants, cholesterol lowering drugs, cholinesterase inhibitors, dental and periodontal agents, immune system altering agents, pain relievers (analgesics), or weight loss agents.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Mace may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

• Mace may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements that use the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these herbs or supplements may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potential serious adverse reactions.

• Mace may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements, such as herbs and supplements with antidepressant or sedative effects.

• Mace may also interact with anesthetics, antianxiety herbs and supplements, antibacterials, anticancer herbs and supplements, antifungals, anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements, antioxidants, antiprotozoal herbs and supplements, antiulcer herbs and supplements, betel nut, central nervous system depressants, cholesterol lowering herbs and supplements, dental and periodontal herbs and supplements, immune system altering herbs and supplements, pain relievers (analgesics), or weight loss herbs and supplements.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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