Nutmeg essential oil is a fall favorite and you will find it in all types of holiday DIY blands. This may be an oil you only pull out when the fall season hits, but nutmeg really offers so much more. Learn all about nutmeg essential oil uses and benefits, Plus Nutmeg Essential Oil Recipes to try!
No need to bake cookies to make your home smell cozy and inviting. Instead, diffuse nutmeg before company comes over. It immediately puts a holiday spirit in the air and sets minds at ease.
Nutmeg is on our Top 30 Affordable Essential Oils list, so cost should not keep this oil from being added to your collection. It is also an oil where a little goes a long way, so you may only need 1-3 drops per use. If you've never tried nutmeg before, now's your chance!
Nutmeg Essential Oil Facts
The sharp and spicy aroma of nutmeg essential oil is true to the scent of the spice used in baking.
| Botanical Name | Myristica fragrans |
| Botanical Family | Myristicaceae |
| AKA | n/a |
| Aromatic Profile |
Warm, spicy, sweet & woody |
| Blending Note | Middle |
| Extraction Method | Steam distilled |
| Plant Part Used | Seeds |
| Shelf Life | 2-3 years |
| Safety Precautions |
Do not use during pregnancy or nursing, avoid with young children. Psychotropic in high doses. |
| Max Dilution | Dilute to a maximum of 0.8% in a carrier. |
Nutmeg Essential Oil Safety
You can use nutmeg oil for skin in low dilutions. Considered a "hot oil" so dilution is a must. Adult max dilution is 0.8% (4-5 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil). Best avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
"Potentially carcinogenic, based on safrole and methyleugenol content, psychotropic in high doses." See Essential Oil Safety for more safety details.
Main Constituents:
Sabinene, pinene.
Nutmeg Essential Oil Blends Well With
Nutmeg oil blends well with other spicy oils, as well as floral, citrus, and woody essential oils. It can add a beautiful, spicy scent to an otherwise bland blend.
- Bergamot
- Cardamom
- Cedarwood
- Coriander seed
- Clary sage
- Frankincense
- Lemon
- Tangerine
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Ginger,
- Eucalyptus
- Sandalwood
- Orange
- Ylang ylang
Therapeutic Uses of Nutmeg
Gastrointestinal spasms, nausea, upset stomach, rheumatism, arthritis, muscular aches and pains, muscular injury, menstrual cramp, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, tension (from The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Wormwood, page 609).
Nutmeg Essential Oil Uses and Benefits
Wondering how to use nutmeg essential oil? It has calming properties are perfect for winding down at the end of the day or for morning meditation. Mix nutmeg essential oil with lavender to promote relaxation or combine nutmeg with peppermint for an invigorating scent that can help get rid of headaches or migraines.
Here are more uses and benefits of nutmeg essential oil:
Supports Digestive Health
Queasy stomach? Poor digestion? This oil is known for being a digestive aid. Nutmeg has been used for centuries to prevent digestive disorders and stomach complaints. It has carminative properties, meaning it can prevent the formation of gas and assist with expelling gas.
Soothes Achy Muscles and Joints
Nutmeg has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, this makes it useful for relieving muscle pain, swelling, and inflammation. Where there is poor circulation, nutmeg used topically can be stimulating.
Assists with Menstrual Discomfort
Nutmeg can also be used as a natural painkiller for menstrual discomforts. It's known to possess analgesic properties that actually help in easing the pain experienced during menstruation.
Soak Your Cramps Away: Take a nutmeg bath to warm and soothe your body. Just blend in 1 drop of nutmeg and 2 drops lavender to 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil, add into bathwater. Add in 1/4 cup of Epsom salt to bath for additional pain-relieving benefits.
Relieves Nervousness and Tension
Nutmeg has an uplifting and stress relieving scent. It can alleviate nervous tension and promote vitality. It also offers strength and encouragement when you feel a sense of failure.
Use for aromatherapy by place one drop of oil on a diffuser necklace and enjoy the encouraging aroma throughout the day. Read more about the benefits of using diffuser necklaces.
Enhances Imagination
Nutmeg can invigorate and stimulate the mind. It can also help to improve negative thinking.
Try in a diffuser blend or add a few drops to the shower floor right before you step in for a sweet and spicy aroma you will love.
Nutmeg Essential Oil Recipes
Nutmeg essential oil is powerful in its own right. It has a warm, spicy aroma that can make you feel invigorated and energized when diffused or used in massage therapy to help with sore muscles. But did you know it also pairs well with other oils?
If you're looking for a way to add some spice into your life, try these nutmeg essential oil blend recipes!
1. Inviting Diffuser Blend |
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A blend of calming, balancing, and encouraging oils for a warm welcome.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with recommended water. Read more about diffusing essential oils. |
2. Relaxed Mind Inhaler Blend |
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When stress or tension hit, take a whiff of this relaxing blend from a personal inhaler that you can keep with you when on the go or at your work desk.
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert it into the inhaler. Read more about using aromatherapy inhalers. |
3. Spicy Citrus Diffuser Blend |
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This soothing blend of oils has a calming yet uplifting effect. This nutmeg diffuser recipe is an easy way to infuse your home with an yummy scent. You can use any type of citrus oil you like, but I personally prefer using tangerine.
Directions: Add the drops of essential oils to your diffuser with recommended water for your machine. |
4. Soothing Body Oil |
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Apply this blend to areas of concern and let this soothing body oil ease achy pains. Plus, this massage oil blend has many therapeutic properties that help you feel relaxed too!
Directions: Add essential oils to the dropper bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil or carrier oil of choice. Swirl bottle to mix blend together. |
5. Spice is Nice Diffuser Blend |
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Have you ever found yourself in a slump? Stuck in a rut, feeling hopeless and lost. If you're ready for some relief from all those negative thoughts try my spice essential oil blend! These three spice essential oils are really lovely together and will add a little more oomph to your space as well.
Directions: Add the drops of essential oils to your diffuser with recommended water for your machine. |
6. Healthy Digestion Belly Massage Blend |
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Digestion is something that happens all day, every day. It's how our food turns into nutrients for the body. But sometimes it can feel like it takes a lot of work to get there. What if you could make digestion easier? That's where nutmeg essential oil comes in. Roll this nutmeg oil blend onto belly after a heavy meal or when feeling gas discomfort to support digestion.
Directions: Add essential oils into roller bottle, top off with jojoba oil. Place rollerball and cap on and shake to blend. To use, roll onto belly and massage into the abdomen using a circular motion. |
7. Fall Is in the Air Diffuser Blend |
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Nutmeg essential oil is an excellent addition to your fall repertoire. This spicy and warming scent is perfect for when the leaves start changing colors, signaling that it's time to fill your home with cozy scents. Enjoy the aroma of the crisp, outdoor air during fall while cozy and warm in your home.
Directions: Add essential oils to your diffuser with recommended water. |
Where to Buy Nutmeg Essential Oil?
We only recommend products that we use and love. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn a small commission if you buy through our links at no extra cost to you.
Be sure to only buy 100% pure essential oils, here are some options for high-quality bottle of nutmeg oil:
General Essential Oil Precautions
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10.
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), you may perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil, read more here.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues here.
Newbie to Oils? Read More: Essential Oils for Beginners
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