Allspice Berry

Allspice comes from the unripe, dried berry of a small tree called Pimento Officinalis or Pimento diocia. It’s also known as pimento, Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, newspice, pimenta, and clove pepper.

Originally named “pimento”, Spanish for pepper, by explorers in the 16th century due to its dark brown, wrinkled skin. The English renamed it allspice because it has hints of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and juniper.

Used in both sweet and savory dishes, allspice is the main ingredient in Jamaican Jerk sauce, used in stews and desserts in the Middle East, and the key flavoring in liquors Chartreuse and Benedictine.

Allspice has a long history in folk medicine in the Caribbean and Central American. It is brewed into a tea to relieve colds, ease menstrual cramps, and calm an upset stomach. As a balm, allspice is applied to bruises, sore joints, and muscle aches. 1

Health Benefits
Scientific research shows allspice has many medicinal properties. It relieves pain, eases stomach upset, and kills bacteria and fungus.2 Compounds in allspice are also being investigated for use in the treatment of cancer and hypertension and is used in farming, fishing, and livestock. 1

The primary medicinal compounds in allspice include:

Eugenol: Also found in clove oil, it has antiseptic properties and is used as a topical pain reliever.
Quercitin: A flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it may help reduce inflammation, kill cancer cells, control blood sugar, and help prevent heart disease.
Gallic acid: A phenolic acid with antiviral and anti-cancer properties, it is being studied as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. 3
Ericifolin: A polyphenol with antioxidant properties, it is being studied as a possible treatment for prostate cancer.4

Possible health benefits for allspice include:

Gas and Bloating
Allspice has carminative properties,1 which means it can relieve gas, bloating, and stomach upset. Its eugenol may ease diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, and even constipation. The spice’s many antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that may ease cramps and aid digestion.

Some cultures brew an allspice tea to settle the stomach. Steep a 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice powder in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes and strain. You can drink the tea daily, but limit to one serving a day until you know how it affects your digestive tract. Allspice may interfere with iron and other mineral absorption, so the tea is best sipped between meals.

Aches and Pains
Allspice’s anesthetic and analgesic properties2 can help to ease pain and relax muscles. It can be used topically as a poultice made from the spice or as an essential oil.

To make a poultice (plaster), mix ground allspice with just enough water to make a thick paste. Apply it to the painful area, cover it with a thin piece of gauze (to prevent a mess) and leave it on for about 20 minutes.

As an essential oil, mix 2 to 3 drops with at least 3 tablespoons of a carrier oil (like grapeseed, coconut, or olive oil) and massage into the area. Wash hands thoroughly afterward and take care to not get any oil in your eyes or mucous membranes.

Allspice essential oil can also be diffused into the air, which may ease a headache or sinus pain.

The Different Types of Essential Oil Diffusers
Menopause
Compounds in allspice may relieve menopause symptoms by helping to balance estrogen and progesterone levels.1 However, the research is limited. Population studies of South and Central American women hypothesize the spice is responsible for cultural differences in menopausal discomfort.

Laboratory studies suggest methanol extracts from the plant may alter gene expression, boosting estrogen and reducing progesterone levels. Its effectiveness in preventing and treating menopause symptoms, however, have not been studied in humans.

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.