Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Materia Medica (Author: Tadhg Ó Cuinn)

subsection 210

210. Nux muscata: i.e. nutmeg; hot and dry in the second degree; it is the fruit of a tree that grows in India; they retain their efficacy for seven years; this nut is best when it is heavy and firm with no holes in it; it has the comforting virtue from its being aromatic, and the consuming and dissolving virtues from its own qualities. Half of this nut may be given [in the morning} fasting against the coldness of the stomach and indigestion, and a good colour is imparted to the face with its aid. If nutmeg and mace be boiled in wine and given [in the morning] fasting, Platearius confirms the efficacy of this against the coldness of the respiratory organs or the internal organs. Item, if cumin and nutmeg be boiled in wine, it will have the same effect. If the same nut be held for a long time in the mouth, it will comfort the brain. Rhases says if nutmeg and cubebs and mace be eaten before meals, this will help with foul breath, and, if it be eaten after


p.596

meals, it will cause drunkenness. Nutmeg should be put in the compound electuaries that comfort the brain and the heart, such as diapenidion, diaradon, diaciminum and diagalanga, and the likes, as we have said.