Mace

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, d?u kh?u (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), Muskatbl?te (German), muskatnii orekh (Russian), muskatn?d (Danish), muskatnogo orekha (Russian), muskatnoi drechi (Russian), Muskatnu? (German), Muskatnu?baum (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 d?u 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.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


In human study, chewing gum containing mace extract resulted in reduced plaque and gingival inflammation. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, chewing gum containing mace extract resulted in reduced plaque and gingival inflammation. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. 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 healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

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.

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.

Interactions

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.

Attribution

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).

Bibliography

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