Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and its aril, mace, have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, for the relief of headaches, including those associated with sinus congestion. In these systems, nutmeg is believed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative properties. The customary method often involves making a paste of nutmeg and applying it to the forehead, or using its essential oil in inhalations, with the intention of relieving headache and promoting relaxation. Some texts suggest that nutmeg's warming quality helps alleviate sinus-related symptoms by improving circulation and clearing nasal passages.

However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. While nutmeg and mace contain volatile oils (such as myristicin and elemicin) with possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in animal models and in vitro studies, there is a lack of clinical trials specifically assessing their effectiveness for sinus headache in humans. No robust data exist to confirm their efficacy for this condition, and available evidence is primarily anecdotal or limited to historical practice. Therefore, the use of nutmeg and mace for sinus headache is justified by tradition rather than scientific evidence, with the strength of supporting evidence rated as low.

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