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.
Used in both sweet and savory dishes, allspice is the main ingredient in Jamaican Jerk sauce, used in stews and desserts,
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.
Health Benefits
Scientific research shows allspice has many medicinal properties. It relieves pain, eases stomach upset, and kills bacteria and fungus.
Compounds in allspice are also being investigated for use in the treatment of cancer and hypertension and are used in farming, fishing, and livestock.
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.
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, 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 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 properties 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.
Menopause
Compounds in allspice may relieve menopause symptoms by helping to balance estrogen and progesterone levels.
Used in both sweet and savory dishes, allspice is the main ingredient in Jamaican Jerk sauce, used in stews and desserts,
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.
Health Benefits
Scientific research shows allspice has many medicinal properties. It relieves pain, eases stomach upset, and kills bacteria and fungus.
Compounds in allspice are also being investigated for use in the treatment of cancer and hypertension and are used in farming, fishing, and livestock.
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.
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, 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 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 properties 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.
Menopause
Compounds in allspice may relieve menopause symptoms by helping to balance estrogen and progesterone levels.