Allspice

Scientific Name(S): Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. synonymous with P. officinalis and Eugenia pimenta. Family: Myrtaceae

Common Name(S): Allspice, pimenta, Jamaica pepper, clove pepper, pimento.

Allspice is the dried, unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. After drying, the berries are small, dark brown balls just a little larger than peppercorns.

Botany: Pimenta is a sturdy tree that grows to 13 meters. It has leathery, oblong leaves and is native to the West Indies, Central America and Mexico. The parts of the plant used medicinally are the dried, full-grown but unripe fruit and leaves. Allspice powder available commercially consists of the whole ground dried fruit.

History: The plant has been used as a carminative. Besides its use in cosmetics and toothpastes, it is used as a food flavoring. Its odor is reminiscent of a combination of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Allspice has been used medicinally as a tonic, purgative, carminative and antidiarrheal and for rheumatisms, neuralgia and stomachache.

Uses of Allspice

Apart from use for spices and fragrance, allspice has been used for various gastrointestinal ills, rheumatism and neuralgia. Extracts have antiseptic, anesthetic, and antioxidant properties and efficacy in vitro against yeasts and fungi.

Soothes indigestion: Make an infusion with 1 to 2 teaspoons of Allspice powder per cup of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes, and strain through a coffee filter. Drink up to three cups a day.

Relieves muscle aches and pains: Apply a poultice directly to the sore area. To make the poultice, mix Allspice powder with enough water to make a paste, and then spread the paste on a clean cloth, and cover the entire effected area.

Side Effects of Allspice

Allspice can irritate mucosa. Ingestion of extracts may produce toxicity and affect the CNS.

Toxicology: Allspice and extracts of the plant can be irritating to mucous membranes. Although allspice generally has not been associated with toxicity, eugenol can be toxic in high concentrations. Ingestion of more than 5 ml of allspice oil may induce nausea, vomiting, central nervous system depression and convulsions.

When pimento oil and eugenol were applied to intact shaved abdominal skin of the mouse, no percutaneous absorption was observed.

Summary: Allspice is a popular spice and fragrance. The oil may induce topical irritation and ingestion of the oil may result in toxicity.