Jatiphala
Myristica fragrans
Jatiphala (Myristica fragrans) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Myristicin is well absorbed orally with high lipophilicity (logP ~2.5). Myristicin is metabolized to MMDA-like compounds by CYP enzymes (contributing to psychoactive effects at high doses).
| Botanical name | Myristica fragrans |
|---|---|
| Family | Myristicaceae |
| Order | Magnoliales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5406817 · Wikidata Q2724976 · NCBI Taxonomy 51089 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Jatiphala |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Essential oil, Lepa (paste), Taila (oil infusion)
Standard Dosage: 250-500mg powder (LOW DOSE - toxic at higher doses); 125-250mg extract; 1-3 drops essential oil (external/aromatherapy)
Bioavailability: Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) contains myristicin, elemicin, safrole, and trimyristin. Myristicin is well absorbed orally with high lipophilicity (logP ~2.5). Myristicin is metabolized to MMDA-like compounds by CYP enzymes (contributing to psychoactive effects at high doses). Essential oil components have high bioavailability via GI and inhalation routes. Trimyristin (myristic acid triglyceride) has standard lipid absorption.
Optimal Timing: After meals for digestive support; at bedtime with warm milk (pinch of powder) for sleep
Standardized Extract: Essential oil standardized to myristicin (5-15%), safrole (<1% IFRA limit); CO2 extract for trimyristin-rich fraction; powder with verified essential oil content >5%
Shelf Life: 2 years (whole nutmeg); 1 year (ground powder - volatile loss); 3 years (essential oil, sealed); 3 years (capsule)
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Whole nutmeg is more stable than ground. Ground powder loses volatiles rapidly; nitrogen-flushed packaging recommended. Essential oil in amber glass, sealed.
Marker Compounds: Myristicin, Elemicin, Safrole (toxic marker - monitor and limit), Sabinene, Alpha-pinene, Trimyristin, Myristic acid, Macelignan
Extraction Methods
- Steam distillation (essential oil, 5-15% yield)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction (trimyristin + essential oil)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20 ethanol:water)
- Fixed oil expression (nutmeg butter/trimyristin extraction)
- Mechanical grinding for Churna
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2022. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) essential oil: A review on its composition, biological, and pharmacological activitiesPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 35567294 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7491
- 2022. Synthesis and Biological Activities of Dehydrodiisoeugenol: A ReviewPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36355523 · doi:10.3390/ph15111351
- 2021. Trends in Grinding of Agroindustrial Products-A Literature ReviewRecent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture. PMID 33238874 · doi:10.2174/2212798411666201125114243
- 2020. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Myristica fragrans Houtt.: an updated reviewArchives of pharmacal research. PMID 33206347 · doi:10.1007/s12272-020-01285-4
- 2006. Nutmeg PMID 30000898
Laboratory and animal studies7
- 2026. Macelignan, a lignan from Myristica fragrans Houtt., rescues mitochondrial homeostasis and prevents cognitive decline in vascular dementia by modulating the mTOR-Mitophagy axisJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40946820 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120603
- 2024. Neolignans and Diarylnonanoid Derivatives with Anti-inflammatory Activity from Myristica fragrans Houtt. SeedsACS omega. PMID 39157106 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c05649
- 2023. Effect of Simmering Technology on Components and Activity of Myristica fragrans HouttMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38005349 · doi:10.3390/molecules28227627
- 2023. The Identification and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Its SubstituentsFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38231602 · doi:10.3390/foods12234211
- 2022. Phenylpropanoids and neolignans isolated from Myristica fragrans enhance glucose uptake in myotubesFood & function. PMID 35275149 · doi:10.1039/d1fo04408g
- 2021. Myristica fragrans promotes ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1-derived macrophagesActa biochimica et biophysica Sinica. PMID 33434281 · doi:10.1093/abbs/gmaa146
- 2019. Prominent Pancreatic Lipase Inhibition and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of a Myristica fragrans Ethanolic Extract in vitro. Potential Role in Obesity TreatmentMaedica. PMID 31798741 · doi:10.26574/maedica.2019.14.3.254
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