History
The shrubby, slow-growing pimenta has glossy leaves that are leathery and elliptical-shaped; and the aromatic tree produces small, white blooms in the spring and summer; followed by clusters of pea-sized brownish green, spicy berries in the fall. The immature berries are dried and ground to produce allspice. Allspice was named due to its scent, which is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Pimenta was given its name by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, who thought the dried berries looked like peppercorns, and called them “pimenta”, or pepper. The leaves, berries, and oil are used, not only for health and medicinal purposes, but also for spices, flavoring, and fragrance. The wood of the tree was also used to make aromatic walking sticks and umbrellas in the 1800’s, leading to over-harvesting followed by strict controls to prevent extinction. The pimento tree is native to the West Indies, the Caribbean Islands, Central and South America, and Mexico. It is grown commercially in Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad, Cuba, and Honduras.
Allspice Benefits
Allspice is widely used as a carminative, to prevent or relieve flatulence. It is used as both an aromatic stimulant and as a tonic for the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system, to treat vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea and indigestion; along with digestive disorders such as dyspepsia and colic, and is known to improve the appetite. The essential oil in Allspice is a tonic for the nervous system, and has been used to treat nervous exhaustion, hysterical paroxysms, neuralgia, and convulsions. When used externally, Allspice warming effects are used to relieve chest infections, arthritis and rheumatism, bruises, and muscle aches and pains. Allspice has been used as a natural herbal remedy for fever, colds, flu, diabetes, menstrual cramps, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Allspice extracts have antioxidant, antiseptic and anesthetic properties, and usefulness in fighting yeast and fungal infections.
Allspice is a natural source of beta-carotene, vitamins A, B-1, B-2, and C, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin; along with the minerals iron, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and manganese. Its active elements are methyl eugenol and caryophyllene, resin, tannin, sugar, quercetin, glycosides, and sesquiterpenes; and it contains metabolites of homovanillic and homomandelic acids, malic and gallic acids, lignin, and bonastre. Another active constituent is the phenol eugenol, which is used by dentists as an antiseptic and a local anesthetic for teeth.
To soothe indigestion
Make an infusion of 1 – 2 teaspoons of Allspice powder in one cup of boiling water. After steeping for 15 minutes, strain through a coffee filter. May drink up to 3 cups per day.
Joint Pain
To relieve muscle aches and pains, joint pain and arthritis, and to treat bruises: Make a poultice using Allspice powder mixed with enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste on a clean cloth, and then cover the affected area.
As a dietary supplement
Take 1 – 2 capsules with water at meal time; twice a day. Capsules average 600 mg allspice powder.
Latin Name
Pimenta dioica
Common Names
Allspice, Jamaica pepper, clove pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, turkish Yenibahar,pimento.
Properties
Carminative, anti-diarrheal, rubefacient, aromatic, digestive stimulant, digestive tonic, antioxidant, antiseptic, anesthetic, analgesic, anti-dontalgic, anti-fungal, nervous system stimulant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, tonic.
Indicated For
Flatulence, stomach ache, colic, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, dyspepsia, poor appetite, aromatic, fatigue, nervous exhaustion, hysterical paroxysm, depression, neuralgia, convulsions, menstrual cramping, heavy menstrual bleeding, fever, colds, flu, chest infections, arthritis, rheumatism, muscle aches and pains, joint soreness and pains, bruises, diabetes, yeast infections, fungal infections, tooth and gum pain.
