Poisoning nutmeg

Toxicity. Severe symptoms of poisoning have been caused by the ingestion of 1 to li nutmegs, and doses of 5 g or more of nutmeg or nutmeg powder will produce a marked depressive action on the central nervous system. 

Contact allergy has been reported with mace (8). Nutmeg is sometimes abused for its hallucinogenic potential less than one tablespoon can be enough to produce severe symptoms similar to those seen in anticholinergic poisoning (9,10). It can also cause psychosis, both acute (11,12) and chronic (13). 

Stein U, Greyer H, Hentschel H. Nutmeg (myristicin) poisoning—report on a fatal case and a series of cases recorded by a poison information centre. Forensic Sci Int 2001 118(l) 87-90. 

Amounts of 5 g or more of unroasted nutmeg have been associated with nutmeg poisoning, including symptoms listed below (Barceloux 2008). 

In Finland, cases of nutmeg poisoning and abuse led authorities to discourage the sale of whole nutmeg and recommend that nutmeg be sold only as a powder with the packages labeled "Only for spice use. Harmful for health if consumed as such" (Evira 2009). 

Clinical features of nutmeg poisoning are similar to those of belladonna (anticholinergic), with facial flushing, tachycardia, hypertension, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Initial symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal... 

A review on nutmeg poisoning indicated that the last fatality reported in the medical literature related solely to nutmeg was in 1908 (Barceloux 2009 Cushny 1908). 

A review of nutmeg poisoning cases reported to a poison control center indicated that doses of 14 to 80 g elicited symptoms ranging from weakness or restlessness to nausea, vomiting, and tachycardia. None of the cases was fatal (Stein et al. 2001). 

Numerous other cases of nutmeg poisoning have been reported in the literature (Abernethy and Becker 1992 Dinakar 1977 Faguet and Rowland 1978 Forrester 2005 Green 1959 INCHEM 1991 McCord and Jervey 1962 McKeima et al. 2004 Payne 1963 Perez Valdivieso 2007 Sjoholm et al. 1998 Wallace 1903). 

Chen, J.K., and T.T. Chen. 2004. Chinese medical herbology and pharmacology. City of Industry, CA Art of Medicine Press. Chhabra, S.K., and A.R. Rao. 1994. Transmammary modulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in liver of mouse pups by mace (Myristicafragrans Houtt.). /. Ethnopharmacol. 42(3) 169-177. Cushny, A.R. 1908. Nutmeg poisoning. Proc. Roy. Soc. Med. (l) 39-44. Dinakar, H.S. 1977. Acute psychosis associated with nutmeg toxicity. Med. Times 105(12) 63-64. 

McCord, J.A., and L.P. Jervey. 1962. Nutmeg (myristicin) poisoning.. South Carolina Med. Assoc. 58 436-439. 

Wallace, G.B. 1903. On nutmeg poisoning. In Contributions to medical research University cf Michigan Department cf Surgery. Ann Arbor, MI George Wair. 

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