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Allspice
(Pimento
dioica syn. P. officinalis)
Other names
Pimento, clove pepper, Jamaica pepper, pimenta, and pimento.
Botanical Classification
Family
Myrtaceae
Description of the herb allspice
It is an evergreen tree with white scented flowers followed by
scented, red-brown spherical berries.
Parts used
Leaves, berries and oil.
Properties
A fragrant, spicy, and warming herb that smells of cloves and
contains antiseptic and anesthetic properties as well as encouraging
digestion and stimulating the nervous system.
Allspice is aptly named because it tastes like a combination of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
What It Is Used For: Bruises, Common cold, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Hysterical spasms, Intestinal gas, Indigestion, Menstrual cramps
The rind contains the most active medicinal
components.
Is considered to be stimulant in action, particularly the aroma.
The tea has antisepticproperties (due to the eugenol content in the
berries) and is used primarily as a digestive aid for flatulence,
intestinal gas and indigestion.
Often included in formulations designated as 'spring tonics' or
'stimulants'.
May be substituted for cloves in formulations.
Combined with laxative herbs to reduce griping.
Tea used as an appetite stimulant; also as a carminative.
Used in the bath, or as an ointment for aches & pains.
Both the tea and a poultice are used for rheumatism and neuralgia.
Lowers blood sugar (useful in diabetes); improves protein
absorption.
Warm tea (plus inhalation of the warm vapors) used for hypothermia;
also a reviving agent when taken in cases of frostbite.
Useful for oral hygiene and in cases of halitosis.
Useful for mild pain.
For pneumonia use warm tea, vapor inhalation and a liniment of
allspice which is combined with ginger.
Has a tonic effect on the nervous sytem and is useful in cases of
nervous exhaustion; the oil was once used for hysterical convulsions
or 'spasms'.
A little warm tea with each meal for ulcers.
The leaves are used in the bath for varicose veins, gout, and edema.
Locally antiseptic and anesthetic.
Therapeutic uses
Internal use
Herbalists and naturopaths use allspice to treat,nervous exhaustion,
flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea
The berries are dried and form part of pickling spice, marinades,
and are used to mull wine. Also used as an ingredient in cakes,
cookies, desserts, and other baked goods.
Jamaicans favor allspice in their cooking, using it to flavor meat
and chicken dishes called "jerk."
A tea is brewed from the leaves and the berries are powdered and
added to medicines to improve or disguise the taste.
External use
Allspice is used in a liniment to treat chest infections and
muscular aches and pains.
Bandages are infused with allspice and sold commercially to relieve
sprains and muscular aches and pains.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
An essential oil is made from allspice that is used for its
analgesic, antidontalgic, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, carminative,
rubefacient, stomachic, and tonic properties.
Although this oil is not one of the most popular oils in
aromatherapy, it does offer a good range of therapeutic properties,
and is a very nice "warming" oil - especially useful in rheumatism,
chest complaints and to combat stress and depression.
The oil is also used in perfumes, aftershaves, and commercial food
flavoring.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL
NOTE ONLY
All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions
carefully.
PIMENTO WATER: 5 parts crushed berries combined with 200 parts water
which is boiled down to half its original volume. Useful for
disguising the taste of other less palatable herbs. Of Pimento Water
- 1 to 2 oz.
Of the oil - 2 to 3 drops on sugar cube for flatulence.
Of the powder - 10 to 30 grains.
POULTICE: Boil berries and make a thick paste. Spread on a soft
clean cloth. The cloth can also be dipped in warm tea and used as a
hot pack.
CULINARY:
Can be substituted for clove or cinnamon. Widely used as a
seasoning. The leaves are used locally for seasoning and tea. The
essential oil is used commercially for flavoring.
COMMENT:
The essential oil distilled from the fruit has eugenol as its chief
component. The oil is used in perfumery, notably for oriental
fragrances. Allspice contains antioxidant properties that make it
useful as a preservative.
Benefits
| Available as: |
Allspice is a powdered fruit (10 to 30 grains) a fluid extract (essential oil) pimento water (aqua pimentae), which contains 1 fluid ounce of pimento oil. |
| Dosage : |
As a laxative ingredient, 1 to 2 fluid
ounces (5 parts bruised pimento to 200 parts water,
distilled to 100 parts). For indigestion, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of allspice powder per cup of water; take up to 3 cups daily. For intestinal gas, place 2 to 3 drops of allspice oil on sugar and take orally. For toothache pain, apply 1 to 2 drops of allspice oil to the painful area no more than four times daily. For muscle pain, mix allspice powder with enough water to make a paste; apply topically to the affected area. |
More Facts about Allspice
Warnings
Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these
possible side effects of allspice:
nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and appetite loss
(from stomach and bowel inflammation)
seizures (with excessive use), skin rash. vomiting, Interactions
Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce
unwanted side effects. Don't take allspice when using iron and other
mineral supplements.
Important points to remember
Don't use allspice if you have a chronic digestive disease, such as
duodenal ulcers, reflux disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable
bowel, diverticulosis, or diverticulitis.
Don't use this herb if you have a history of cancer or an increased
risk for cancer.
Eugenol, a substance in allspice, may pose a cancer risk.
Avoid allspice if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Know that allspice may cause allergic skin reactions when used
topically.
Be aware that some experts caution against consuming more allspice
than the amounts normally found in foods, toothpastes, and similar
products .
What the research shows
Although allspice is safe to consume in small amounts (such as in
foods and dental products), controlled clinical trials must be done
to validate herbalists' medicinal claims. Right now, scientists have
too little information about allspice to recommend medicinal uses.
Interactions
Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't take allspice when using iron and other mineral supplements.Important points to remember
- Don't use allspice if you have a chronic digestive disease, such as duodenal ulcers, reflux disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel, diverticulosis, or diverticulitis.
- Don't use this herb if you have a history of cancer or an increased risk for cancer.
- Eugenol, a substance in allspice, may pose a cancer risk.
- Avoid allspice if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Know that allspice may cause allergic skin reactions when used topically.
- Be aware that some experts caution against consuming more allspice than the amounts normally found in foods, toothpastes, and similar products .
What the research shows
Although allspice is safe to consume in small amounts (such as in foods and dental products), controlled clinical trials must be done to validate herbalists' medicinal claims. Right now, scientists have too little information about allspice to recommend medicinal uses.
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