Talk:Jati
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Jati |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Myristica fragrans Houtt. |
| Family | Myristicaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Myristica fragrans Houtt., popularly known as Jati or Nutmeg, is an evergreen tree native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of Indonesia. It is widely valued in Ayurveda for its aromatic, carminative, and stimulant properties, providing two distinct spices from the same fruit: nutmeg (seed) and mace (aril).
English name
Nutmeg
Therapeutic uses
Atisara (Diarrhoea), swasa (dyspnea), chardi (vomiting), pinasa (rhinitis), grahani, mukharoga, sukrameha[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Jati, Sumana
Synonyms in bhavprakasa nighantu
Jatikosha, malatiphala[2]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Bitter (tikta), Pungent (katu) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Sharp (tikshna) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 3/4 | Siddhatama churna pradeha (local application) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(13) | Kushthaghna (anti-dermatosis) mahakashaya |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 5/77 | Mukha dharya dravya (Mouth fresheners) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tiktaskandha (group of bitter drugs) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/3/26 | As a mood enhancing |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/207 | Used in Vibadhdha dosha |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/57 | For Scrapping |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/94 | Bahyaprayogarth (external application) Lepa in Kushtha |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/111 | Ingredient in Kanakakshiri Taila |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/135 | As an ingredient of Kiratadhya churna (Pittaja Grahani chiktsa) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/56 | As an ingredient of Mrita sanjivani agada |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/145 | Used as nasya in Pakva peenasa |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/184 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/205 | Used for mukhadhavna |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/241 | As an ingredient of Sumanakorkadi varti |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/245 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi varti |
Dose
- 0.5-1.0 gm of the drug in powder form[1]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Jatiphaladi churna
Current availability
Available
- In India – Cultivated in southern parts of India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
- Out of India – Native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of Indonesia; cultivated widely across tropical Asia, Grenada, and tropical regions globally.
Current researches
https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Myristica%20fragrans
Phytochemical Composition
The diverse therapeutic profile of *Myristica fragrans* Houtt. stems from its secondary metabolite content across its seed and aril:
- Volatile Essential Oils: The main components of nutmeg seed essential oil are sabinene (21.38%), 4-terpineol (13.92%) and myristicin (13.57%); alkylbenzene and propylbenzene derivatives such as safrole and eugenol and its derivatives are also dominant in the seed.[3]
- Lignans and Neolignans: The plant contains lignans, neolignans, diphenylalkanes, phenylpropanoids and terpenoids, of which macelignan, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid, myristicin and malabaricone C are among the most active compounds.[4]
- Phenolic Compounds (Mace/Aril): The methanol extract of mace yielded neolignans (including maceneolignans, licarin A, nectandrin B and verrucosin) and malabaricone C.[5]
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastrointestinal and Antidiarrheal Efficacy
Traditionally indicated in *Atisara* (diarrhoea) and *Grahani*, nutmeg extracts have shown antidiarrheal activity in experimental animal studies.
- Mechanism: The petroleum ether extract inhibited contractions of guinea pig ileum produced by acetylcholine, histamine and prostaglandin; the crude nutmeg suspension increased intestinal tone.
- Scientific Evidence: Both the crude nutmeg suspension and the petroleum ether extract (but not the aqueous extract) decreased the number of loose stools or increased the latency period, and the extracts showed a significant sedative property with no harmful effects on blood pressure and ECG.[6]
Neuroprotective Properties
Aligning with the classical use as a mood enhancer, nutmeg volatile oil has shown neuropharmacological effects in an animal study.
- Mechanism: Increase in monoamine neurotransmitters and changes in hippocampal protein expression (neuroprotective mechanisms proposed).
- Scientific Evidence: In rats, seed volatile oil of Myristica fragrans increased serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the hippocampus and changed the hippocampal proteomic profile.[7]
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Actions
Nutmeg oil has shown anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in an experimental model of chronic inflammatory pain.
- Mechanism: Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and reduction of blood substance P level.
- Scientific Evidence: In rats injected with complete Freund's adjuvant, nutmeg oil alleviated joint swelling, mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia.[8]
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties
- Mechanism: Not established.
- Scientific Evidence: In laboratory studies, nutmeg was shown to have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.[9]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Safety Profile: The toxic effects of nutmeg have been purported to be due mainly to myristicin. A review of Illinois Poison Center data (2001–2011) found 32 nutmeg ingestions, over half of them unintentional, with a high share of exposures in children under 13 years, and mixing of nutmeg with other drugs in adolescents.[10]
- Standard Dosage: 0.5–1.0 g of the drug in powder form (*Churna*) (see Dose above).
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication / Activity | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea / Grahani | Crude nutmeg and petroleum ether extracts (active constituents not identified) | Antidiarrheal, inhibition of induced ileal contraction (animal) |
| Neuroprotection / Mood | Seed volatile oil | Increase in hippocampal monoamines (animal) |
| Inflammation / Pain | Nutmeg oil | COX-2 and substance P reduction (animal) |
| Antimicrobial / Antioxidant | Extracts, essential oil | Antimicrobial and antioxidant (laboratory) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1 :34
- ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, karpuradi varga, verse no.-54
- ↑ Muchtaridi; Subarnas, A.; Apriyantono, A.; Mustarichie, R. (2010). "Identification of compounds in the essential oil of nutmeg seeds (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) that inhibit locomotor activity in mice". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 11: 4771–4781. doi:10.3390/ijms11114771.
- ↑ Ha, M.T.; Vu, N.K.; Tran, T.H.; Kim, J.A.; Woo, M.H.; Min, B.S. (2020). "Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Myristica fragrans Houtt.: an updated review". Archives of Pharmacal Research. 43: 1067–1092. doi:10.1007/s12272-020-01285-4.
- ↑ Morikawa, T.; Hachiman, I.; Ninomiya, K.; Hata, H.; Sugawara, K.; Muraoka, O.; Matsuda, H. (2018). "Degranulation inhibitors from the arils of Myristica fragrans in antigen-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia cells". Journal of Natural Medicines. 72 (2): 464–473. doi:10.1007/s11418-017-1170-x.
- ↑ Grover, J.K.; Khandkar, S.; Vats, V.; Dhunnoo, Y.; Das, D. (2002). "Pharmacological studies on Myristica fragrans – antidiarrheal, hypnotic, analgesic and hemodynamic (blood pressure) parameters". Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. 24 (10): 675–680. doi:10.1358/mf.2002.24.10.802317.
- ↑ Plaingam, W.; Sangsuthum, S.; Angkhasirisap, W.; et al. (2017). "Kaempferia parviflora rhizome extract and Myristica fragrans volatile oil increase the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and impact the proteomic profiles in the rat hippocampus: mechanistic insights into their neuroprotective effects". Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 7 (4): 538–552. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.01.002.
- ↑ Zhang, W.K.; Tao, S.; Li, T.; et al. (2016). "Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo". Food & Nutrition Research. 60: 30849. doi:10.3402/fnr.v60.30849.
- ↑ Gupta, A.D.; Bansal, V.K.; Babu, V.; Maithil, N. (2013). "Chemistry, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt)". Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. 11: 25–31. doi:10.1016/j.jgeb.2012.12.001.
- ↑ Ehrenpreis, J.E.; DesLauriers, C.; Lank, P.; Armstrong, P.K.; Leikin, J.B. (2014). "Nutmeg poisonings: a retrospective review of 10 years experience from the Illinois Poison Center, 2001–2011". Journal of Medical Toxicology. 10 (2): 148–151. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0379-7.
This article is under development ..