Pimenta dioica.

Family:- Myrtaceae.
Synonyms:- P. officinalis, Pimento, Pimenta, Jamaica pepper.

 

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION:- Used for flatulent indigestion and for neuralgic and rheumatic pain. Pimento water is used as a vehicle for medicines that ease dyspepsia and constipation since Allspice helps to prevent griping pains. It is used extensively as a domestic spice - Allspice is so - called because it smells like a combination of Cloves, Juniper, Cinnamon and Pepper.

 

SAFETY DATA:- The principal constituent of Allspice is eugenol which irritates the mucous membranes and it has been found to cause dermal irritation too. Pimento leaf and berry essential oil should therefore be used with care in low dilutions only.

 

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE :-

Circulation, muscles and joints - arthritis, fatigue, muscle cramps, rheumatism, stiffness. Used in tiny amounts, in a massage oil for chest infections, for severe muscle spasm, to restore mobility quickly, or where extreme cold is experienced, Allspice is recommended.

 

Respiratory system - chills, congested coughs, bronchitis.

 

Digestive system - cramp, flatulence, indigestion, nausea.

 

Nervous system - depression, nervous exhaustion, neuralgia, stress.

 

OTHER USES:-

Allspice is used in aromatic carminative medicines; as a fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes, especially soaps, aftershaves, spicy and oriental fragrances. Both leaf and berry oil are used extensively for flavouring foods, especially savory and frozen foods as well as alcoholic and soft drinks.

 

An evergreen tree that reaches about 33 feet high and begins to produce fruit in it's third year. Each fruit contains two kidney - shaped green seeds, which turn glossy - black upon ripening.

 

DISTRIBUTION:-

Indigenous to the West Indies and South America, Allspice is cultivated in Jamaica, Cuba, and, to a lesser extent, in Central America. Imported berries are distilled in Europe and the U.S.A.

 

OTHER SPECIES:-

Four other varieties of Pimento are found in Venezuela, Guyana and the West Indies and are used locally as spices.

 

EXTRACTION:-

Essential oil by steam distillation from 1) the leaves and 2) the fruit. The green, unripe berries contain more oil than the ripe berries, but the largest percentage of oil is found in the shell of the fruit. An oleoresin from the berries is also produced in small quantities.

 

CHARACTERISTICS:-

1) Pimenta leaf oil is a yellowish-red or brownish liquid with a powerful sweet-spicy scent, similar to Cloves.

2) Pimenta berry oil is a pale yellow liquid with a sweet, warm, basalmic-spicy bodynote (middle note) and a fresh, clean top note. Allspice blends well with Ginger, Geranium, Lavender, Opopanax, Labdanum, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Neroli, oriental and spicy bases.

 

ACTIONS:-

Anaesthetic, analgesic, antioxidant, antiseptic, carminative, muscle - relaxant, rubifacient, stimulant, tonic.

 

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS:-

Mainly eugenol, less in the fruit (60 - 80 %) than in the leaves (up to 96 %), also methyl eugenol, cineol, phellandrene and caryophyllene, among others.

 

Taken from "The illustrated encyclopedia of essential oils" by Julia Lawless.