Nutmeg, although famous for its uses as a culinary spice, has been administered successfully as a medicinal drug by cultures across the world, although in very minute quantities.

The symptoms that Nutmeg has been most commonly used to treat has been fainting, dizziness, confusion and disorientation, lack of coordination and to combat drowsiness. Additionally dryness in the digestive system such as constipation with distention and bloating of the abdomen has been treated by nutmeg, as also extreme dryness of the tongue.

From time immemorial, i.e. AD 540 when it was brought from India to Constantinople, nutmeg has been widely used as a culinary spice as well as a medicinal drug. It was used also as a cosmetic for the removal of freckles. Medicinally, early records indicate is its usage by Avicenna in the 11th century, who termed it "the nut of Banda." Nutmeg was administered to relieve stomach upset, headache, and to relieve symtoms of gas. There are recorded uses of Nutmeg given as a hallucinogen. Essential oil of Nutmeg has been used to treat rheumatic pain.

Other uses of Nutmeg or Nux mosch. can be listed for the following conditions - mental illnesses, hysteria, diseases of the nervous system, and digestive complaints. Nux mosch. has also been effectively used for the treatment of hallucinogenic symptoms caused by large doses of nutmeg, like dizziness, fainting, and lack of coordination. Such symptoms may follow post stroke or epilepsy.

Nutmeg is also used to treat diseases of the digestive tract like indigestion and gastritis marked by dehydration and thirstiness.