Derived from the fruit of the Myristica fragrans plant, nutmeg is an aromatic spice first popularized in southeast Asia. Along with imparting its distinctive flavor to foods such as eggnog and mulled cider, nutmeg has a long history of therapeutic use--both as an ingested ingredient and as a fragrant essential oil. In aromatherapy, nutmeg is used for alleviating stress, encouraging relaxation and inducing restful slumber.
Home Fragrance
Nutmeg is a common fragrance to diffuse within the home, as it encourages relaxation and fosters a calm environment. Burning candles scented with nutmeg oil, using nutmeg oil in an oil burner or adding essential nutmeg oil to an electric diffuser releases this spice's distinctive aroma into the air. Nutmeg is also useful as an aromatherapeutic room mist, which you can create by adding 20 drops of nutmeg oil to a 1 oz. spray bottle filled with water.
Muscle Pain Reliever
When applied topically, nutmeg oil is believed to soothe sore, sprained or fatigued muscles. To use nutmeg oil as a muscle rub, mix it with unscented lotion or vegetable oil at a ratio of 1 drop of essential oil to 2ml lotion; use your fingertips to massage the mixture over afflicted muscle regions, avoiding contact with open wounds. According to the Aroma Therapy Place, you can also create an aromatic compress to apply over sore muscles by combining four to five drops of nutmeg oil with 3.5 oz. of warm water and soaking a piece of cloth in the mixture.
Hair Care
Nutmeg oil can lend a soothing aroma to hair care items--particularly shampoo and conditioner. Although few hair care manufacturers offer nutmeg-scented items, you can transform unscented hair products into aromatherapeutic creations by adding 20 drops of nutmeg oil to 1 oz. fragrance-free shampoo or conditioner, shaking well and using as originally directed. The scent of nutmeg lingers after the product is rinsed from the hair, providing long-lasting aromatherapy benefits.
Body Rub
The scent of nutmeg may promote calm and relaxation when worn on the skin, particularly with topical lotions and creams. You can create homemade body rubs with aromatherapeutic benefits by mixing 12 to 15 drops of essential nutmeg oil with 1 oz. unscented vegetable oil, or combining 50 to 60 drops of nutmeg oil with 16 oz. fragrance-free lotion. Applying either mixture liberally over the body--avoiding open wounds, broken skin and your eyes--allows the nutmeg to perfume your skin for hours.
Baths
Nutmeg combines well with the already soothing sensations of warm water. To reap the therapeutic benefits of nutmeg at bath time, add 9 to 10 drops of nutmeg oil to a bathtub filled with warm water; stir the liquid with your hand before climbing in to ensure the oil mixes thoroughly. Using a nutmeg-scented bath oil offers similar benefits.
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