Mace

• KINGDOM:  Plantae
• CLADE:  Tracheophytes
• CLADE:  Angiosperms
• CLADE:  Magnoliids
• ORDER:  Magnoliales
• FAMILY:  Myristicaceae
• GENUS:  Myristica
• SPECIES:  M. fragrans

• English:  nutmace
• Spanish:  macis
• Portuguese:   macis
• The Caribbean (Creole):  noix muscade (French), muskatnuss (Dutch)
• French:  macis, fleur de muscade
• Italian:  mazza
• German:  muskatblüte, macis
• Dutch:  foelie
• Czech:  muskatovy kvet
• Hungarian:  szerecsendio virag
• Greek:  moschokarydo
• Danish:  muskatblomme
• Norwegian:  muskatblomst
• Swedish:  macis
• Finnish:  muskottikukka
• Polish:  kwiat muszkatołowy
• Turkish:  besbase
• Hebrew:  prichat egoz muskat
• Arabic:  basbasa, fuljan
• Persian/ Farsi:  gol-e jowz
• Russian:  muskatnyi tsvet
• India
  • Bengali:  jôytri
  • Hindi:  javatri, tavitri, javitri, jayitri
  • Marathi:  jaffatry
  • Sanskrit:  jatipatri
  • Tamil:  cathi pattiri  
• Sri Lanka (Sinhala):  vasa-vasi
• Thai:  dok chand
• Cambodia (Khmer):  meas sleuk chou
• Vietnamese:  nhuc dau khau
• Malay:  kembang pala
• Indonesian:  sekar pala, fuli
• China
  • Mandarin:  rou dou kou
  • Cantonese:  yuhk dauh kau
• Japanese:  nikuzuku

Source:  USDA FoodData Central: Mace

Daily Value % based on a 2,000-calorie diet

Nutmeg and mace have a long history in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese and Persian medicine. They have been used to ease digestion, reduce inflammation, treat acne, promote relaxation, aid erectile dysfunction, and improve mood and sleep. Today, modern research is investigating the health benefits of the diverse set of compounds found within these spices. Here's an overview of some of the most promising areas of mace's medicinal potential:

• Digestive Aid
  • Like nutmeg, mace has carminative properties that ease gas and indigestion. Its traditional use as a remedy for diarrhea also finds some support in modern studies.
• Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief
  • Compounds like sabinene and pinene may offer anti-inflammatory effects, potentially helpful for joint pain or muscle aches. 
• Antimicrobial Activity
  • Mace's essential oils have shown some antimicrobial activity in certain studies, suggesting use in fighting bacterial or fungal infections.
• Brain Health
  • Some research explores the antioxidant properties of mace concerning brain health. There is interest in its potential for protecting against neurodegenerative diseases, but much more research is needed.
• Sleep Aid
  • Mace has been traditionally used to promote relaxation and sleep. While not rigorously proven, the presence of compounds like myristicin could potentially have a mild sedative effect when used in moderation.

Important Considerations

• Presence of Phenylpropanoids with Potentially Negative Health Effects:  Mace contains myristicin, elemicin, and safrole. In very high doses (far beyond normal culinary use) these compounds can have hallucinogenic and carcinogenic effects. While mace is considered safe for most healthy adults, especially since its culinary potency naturally requires moderation, this is important to keep in mind. 
• Most Research is Preliminary:  While research is promising, more extensive human clinical trials are needed to definitively confirm the efficacy and safety of mace's medicinal properties. 
• Dosage Matters:  Researchers commonly use concentrated extracts, so standard dietary consumption may not yield the same results. More studies are required to establish proper dosages and administration methods.
• Medication Interaction:  Mace should not be considered a replacement for conventional medical treatments. While it is generally safe for most people, it is critical to exercise moderation and consider interactions with other medications. 
• Disclaimer:  Consult healthcare professionals before using spices or herbs medicinally. 

Mace has a very similar makeup to its sister spice nutmeg, although the ratios are different. Here is a breakdown of its primary chemical composition, highlighting each compound’s culinary and medicinal properties:

Flavor & Aroma Compounds 

• Sabinene
  • Culinary:  Key driver of mace’s warm, peppery, slightly woody notes. 
  • Medicinal:  Antioxidant effects with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic potential.
• Pinene
  • Culinary:  True to its name, pinene adds an earthy, woody, fresh note, reminiscent of pine and fir. 
  • Medicinal:  Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential. It's also used for its positive effects on the respiratory system. 
• Myrcene
  • Culinary:  Adds an herbal, clove-like note.
  • Medicinal:  Traditionally used for its potential sedative and pain-relieving properties. 
• Limonene
  • Culinary:  A major component of citrus fruit peel essential oils—adds a bright, citrusy note.
  • Medicinal:  Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. It's also used to ease digestion and relieve anxiety.
• Myristicin (phenylpropanoid)
  • Culinary:  Sweet, spicy, and woody, myristicin is considered a core component of mace’s characteristic aroma.
  • Medicinal:  Traditionally used in some cultures for its potential digestive and calming effects, myristicin is the compound primarily responsible for nutmeg and mace’s psychoactive effects in very high doses. This compound gets converted in the body to a substance similar to MMDA, a known hallucinogen. If too much nutmeg or mace is consumed, far beyond normal culinary use, this compound may have a very unpleasant intoxicating effect accompanied by anxiety, nausea, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. However, nutmeg and mace are considered safe for healthy adults.
• Elemicin (phenylpropanoid)
  • Culinary:  Adds warm, slightly spicy notes with hints of cinnamon.
  • Medicinal:  Although this compound has seen historical use in traditional medicine and some modern studies suggest potential antimicrobial effects, high or prolonged exposure to this compound has been shown to be both liver-toxic and potentially carcinogenic. It also contributes slightly to the psychoactive effects mentioned above. However, the small amount present in mace used as a culinary spice is considered safe for most healthy adults. 
• Safrole (phenylpropanoid)
  • Culinary:  Adds subtle sweet and spicy notes, resembling anise, licorice, or sassafras.
  • Medicinal:  The use of this compound as a direct flavoring agent is now restricted in many countries due to concerns over potential carcinogenic effects. However, the amount of safrole in nutmeg and mace is relatively low, and normal culinary use is considered low-risk for most healthy adults. Be more cautious with nutmeg and mace consumption during pregnancy and with young children.

Other Phytochemicals 

• Lignans
  • Culinary:  Contribute to mace’s subtle woody notes.
  • Medicinal:  Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Understanding Composition

• Since the macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) are listed in the Nutrition Facts above, this section focuses on the compounds most responsible for a spice or herb's culinary and medicinal properties.
• Chemical composition can vary widely, mainly in the concentrations of compounds. This is why there are differences in quality and why spices are often graded by measuring the key compounds that directly influence flavor, aroma, and color.
• This variation, and therefore, quality, is affected by variety/cultivar, age/ripeness/freshness, region, terroir, environmental stressors, potential adulteration, and the techniques deployed throughout the following processes: cultivation, harvesting, processing (drying, curing), shipping, storage, and preparation (grinding, grating, infusing, toasting). A magnificent spice is a celebration of a complex journey, shaped by both natural forces and human ingenuity.

The value of mace extends beyond its culinary role. Here are some of its popular alternative uses:

• Cultural and Spiritual Significance
  • In some folk traditions, mace mirrors nutmeg's association with luck, prosperity, and protection. It is carried as a charm, burned for specific intentions, and used in rituals to attract positive energy.
• Incense
  • Mace's warm, spicy fragrance with peppery undertones makes it a valuable addition to incense blends. It is often associated with purification and clarity.
• Fragrances
  • Mace adds a unique dimension to fragrances, especially those with woody or earthy themes. Its spicy warmth complements both masculine and feminine perfumes.
• Skincare
  • Mace is used in traditional facemasks and scrubs to improve complexion.
• Oral Care
  • Similar to nutmeg, mace oil has been used in some folk remedies for temporary toothache relief.
• Dye
  • While less potent than other natural dyes, mace can impart a subtle golden-brown hue to fabrics or craft materials.
• Insect Repellent
  • The scent of nutmeg and mace can discourage insects. They offer a natural alternative to harsher commercial products.

Disclaimer:  While mace shows promise in these areas, its effectiveness may be limited compared to commercial alternatives.

Nutmeg and mace's flavor profile – warm, slightly sweet, and spicy – has been in high demand for centuries for a reason. It's unique. However, if you find yourself without mace and no way to get it, here are some alternatives that can capture different aspects of its character:

• Nutmeg
  • The most obvious answer, if you can get it, is to use mace's sister spice. Nutmeg is the seed, mace is the lacy outer covering. Nutmeg has a similar flavor profile and can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio, but it is bolder so perhaps use a little less. 
• Allspice
  • The most common substitute behind nutmeg, allspice delivers warmth with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Use about half the amount of allspice as you would mace.
• Cinnamon
  • This readily available spice provides warmth and sweetness. Use about half the amount of cinnamon as you would mace.
• Cloves
  • Both mace and cloves offer warm, sweet, and slightly spicy notes, making them somewhat interchangeable in certain recipes. However, cloves have a much more intense flavor than mace, so start with a very small amount—about ¼ of what the recipe calls for in mace—and taste as you go. Cloves have a distinct peppery bite and can be slightly more bitter than mace, which might not be ideal in all recipes where mace's subtle sweetness is desired. Consider combining a small amount of ground cloves with another warm spice like cinnamon or allspice to create a flavor profile closer to mace.
• Ginger
  • Fresh or ground ginger brings warmth and spiciness, though it lacks mace's sweetness. Use a smaller amount and consider adding a pinch of cinnamon for a closer approximation.
• Garam Masala
  • A complex Indian spice blend, garam masala typically includes nutmeg or mace, along with other warm spices. It can be a good choice in savory recipes, but be careful not to overwhelm the dish with all the additional flavors.

Substitution Tips

• Incomplete Substitution:  All spices and herbs are too complex to match exactly, so focus on which aspects of their flavor, aroma, texture, or color you wish to replicate.
• Quantity:  Start with a small amount of the substitute and adjust to taste. It won't be a 1:1 exchange in flavor or potency.
• Context:  Consider the entire dish and how the substitute's full flavor profile will merge with the other ingredients.
• Experimentation:  Playing with substitutions is a great opportunity to explore how different flavors interact. If you approach it with curiosity, you may really enjoy the process and make some delicious discoveries along the way.

Nutmeg and mace come from the same fruit of the same tree, a fragrant tropical evergreen native to the Banda Islands in Indonesia’s Maluku archipelago. Nutmeg, the seed, and mace, the seed’s lacy covering, have been coveted for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of humans using these spices was found at an excavation site on Ai Island. Archaeologists dated traces of nutmeg residue on pottery shards back 3,500 years. To the indigenous peoples who first discovered them, the sister spices were sacred treasures.

For centuries, their source was the world’s best-kept secret, known only to local peoples and the Arab traders who later carried them to distant lands. When they reached Europe in the Middle Ages, they were worth more than their weight in gold and revered for their aroma, flavor, and supposed mystical qualities. Nutmeg was believed to ward off the plague, while mace was used in many medicinal remedies. In the courts of kings and the homes of the wealthy, nutmeg and mace were whispered about like magic—the keys to eternal youth.

But the scent of unimaginable wealth was intoxicating. When European explorers caught wind of the value these spices commanded, they grew hungry for a slice of the power. Braving uncharted seas and countless perils, the Portuguese first arrived in what was then called the “Spice Islands” in the early 16th century. However, it was the ruthless Dutch East India Company that eventually seized control. They established a monopoly over the nutmeg trade in the 17th century, building powerful military fortresses like Fort Belgica. To control nutmeg was to control kingdoms, and the Dutch resorted to horrific violence to maintain their stranglehold. They tragically massacred the Bandanese people and enslaved the survivors, forcing them to toil in the very earth their ancestors had nurtured. They burned nutmeg trees and restricted cultivation to keep prices high. Then they transplanted nutmeg trees to other Dutch territories to expand production under their exclusive control. The English eventually entered the fray, leading to a century of conflict. Control of one particular Banda island called Run was so valuable that the Dutch even traded New York for it (then New Amsterdam) as part of the treaty that ended the Second Anglo-Dutch War in 1667.

The bloody reign of the Dutch couldn't last forever, however, and their attempts to control nature ultimately failed. In the 1770s, a daring French botanist named Pierre Poivre pierced the Dutch blockade and smuggled out nutmeg seedlings and spice samples. He successfully cultivated them in French colonies like Mauritius, Réunion, and the Seychelles, finally breaking the long-held Dutch monopoly. However, although their grip loosened, the Dutch still controlled the Spice Islands all the way until World War II. The sister spices later reached Grenada, establishing the distant Caribbean island as a leading producer along with Indonesia.

Today, nutmeg and mace are cherished globally. While their astronomical value has faded and wars are no longer fought over them, their mystique remains. They continue to be highly valued in medicinal and aromatic applications, and they are celebrated by the culinary world for their versatility and distinctive flavors. Their warm sweetness is now a kitchen staple, gracing everything from savory stews and sauces to desserts, curries, and spiced rum. The legacy of nutmeg and mace lives on, yet their story forever echoes from the Banda Islands—a saga of global exploration, colonial brutality and greed, and nature's ultimate victory over humanity’s desire to control it. The next time you grate a touch of nutmeg into your pie or sprinkle mace over a frothy coffee, remember their journey. It is one of both triumph and sorrow, a reminder of the profound impact that such small wonders can have on our history and culture.