Origin
The tree originated in the Malukus - the "spice islands" - probably on the island of Ceram where the inhabitants call it banda.

Pliny spoke of a tree from which two spices could be obtained at the same time. Although we cannot say for certain that the two were nutmeg and mace, everything points to the nutmeg tree as the one he was referring to. We know that the Arabs were already bringing these two spices back to the wealthy city of Constantinople in the 6th century.

In the 12th century in many regions of Europe, including Scandinavia, the use of nutmeg, brought to Europe by Arabs and crusaders, spread at a lightning rate, so that by the end of the medieval period nutmeg was the second most popular spice - the first being, as it still is today, pepper. Brewers had discovered one of their most important spices for flavouring barley beer, a drink very popular with men, while women preferred a glass of wine also flavoured with nutmeg.

In those days nutmeg was transported in a little silver or wooden box which also contained a grater.

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Etymology
from Old French nois muguede, originally from Latin nux muscus, "musk nut."

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Grenada
Who would have thought that one day a nutmeg would flutter in the trade wind breezes? The nutmeg, the national emblem of Grenada, is drawn in red and yellow on a green triangle.

Italy - A burning scent
Nutmeg was burned in the streets to combat odours in the days when refuse was carried along in street gutters and drains. In 1191, an impressive amount of nutmeg was burned over several days to perfume the Eternal City in order to provide a fitting welcome to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI who had come to Rome to be crowned. Nevertheless, it remained an expensive spice since even two centuries later, in the 14th century, half a kilo (about a pound) was equivalent in value to three sheep or a good not-too-old cow.