Allspice is an aromatic evergreen tree growing to 39 ft (12 m) having leathery oblong leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and tiny green berries that turn brown as they become ripe, native to the Caribbean (such as Jamaican) and to Central and South America.
• Allspice fruit look a lot like dried, large, brown or reddish-brown Peppercorns, and being used to spice up stews, meats, cakes and other sweets, while the leaves are quite similar in appearance to Bay Leaves (laurel).
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Allspice Essential Oil
Allspice oil is extracted from Allspice berries by hydrodistillation, Steam distillation, or solvent extraction.
Properties:
• Anaesthetic,
• Analgesic,
• Anti-oxidant,
• Anti-septic,
• Carminative,
• Relaxant,
• Rubefacient,
• Stimulant and tonic,Health Benefits:
• Induce numbness,
• Pain relief,
• Relaxes body & mind,
• Brings redness in Skin,
• Stimulates functions,Pimento Essential Oil
Pimento Essential Oil is extracted from from both the leaf and the fruit of Allspice by Steam distillation.
Properties:
• Anaesthetic,
• Analgesic,
• Anti-oxidant,
• Anti-septic,
• Carminative,
• Relaxant,
• Rubefacient,
• Stimulant and tonic,Health Benefits:
• Induce numbness,
• Pain relief,
• Fights aging,
• Protects against septic,
• Removes gases,
• Relaxes body & mind,
• Brings redness in Skin,
• Stimulates functions,
• Tones up body,
Usable Parts
• Berries, leaves, Essential Oil.
• The berries are gathered before they are fully ripe because the volatile oil content reduces as they mature.
Recommended Dosage
Drink upto three (3) 8-ounce cups a day.
Its Active Constituents:
• Dried Allspice berries are a generous source of Vitamins and Minerals.
• Allspice is excellent in Dietary Fiber, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese.
• Allspice is very good in Energy, Total Fat, Carbohydrate, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Saturated Fatty Acid, PolyunSaturated Fatty Acids.
• Allspice has average trace of Protein, Zinc, Vitamin B2, Monounsaturated Fats.
• Volatile oil (about 4%, mostly eugenol upto 80%), lignins, and Terpenoids.
Note:
* Its known as Allspice, because it tastes like a combination of several spices (namely Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves and Cinnamon). So check the label very carefully for the real deal.
* Consume Allspice with moderation, as ingeSting too much (excessive amounts) can have several unpleasant or potentially serious side effects such as irritated stomach mucosa, even convulsions.
Precaution:
* Do not take Essential Oil internally without professional guidance. Be careful not to ingest its toxic oil or a very concentrated oil.
* Do not take Allspice as a medicine during Pregnancy.
* Allspice can cause serious allergic reactions in hypersensitive individuals and should be best avoided, if you have existing gastric ulcers or ulcerative Colitis as it can exacerbate the conditions.
Health Benefits of Allspice
Bones
• Although consumption is limited, the spice helps meet dietary demands of Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium (three [3] Minerals of great importance for strong, healthy Bones and teeth).
Foods & Bones
Cardiovascular System
• Allspice has tonic properties, due to its rich Minerals (such as Manganese, Iron, Calcium, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium).
Magnesium and Potassium promote cardiovascular health, while Potassium regulates body Fluids and blood pressure levels, Magnesium supports the activity of muscles (such as cardiac muscle).
• The spice supports muscle activity (including heart muscle).
• The spice boasts mild cardio-protective properties, contributing to good blood pressure levels.
• A combination of Allspice, chili Pepper with Folate also contributes to the reduction of Hypertension and relaxes blood vessels, while maintaining proper blood flow.
• The spice can help individuals maintain blood pressure as it contains 62.6 mg of Potassium per tablespoon which has a positive effect on heart health (a vasodilator and releases much of the tension on the Cardiovascular System). This causes an increase in blood flow through the relaxed blood vessels and reduces the Strain on The Arteries and heart, thereby lowering the chances of developing atherosclerosis, and subsequently, Strokes and heart attacks.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Circulatory System
• Allspice is a rich source of Iron, hence contributes to the prevention of Anemia (caused by Iron deficiency).
However, it is important to introduce other Iron-rich foods into our diet because Allspice can only eat in limited amounts and thus cannot help us meet our daily requirements.
• The spice contain Copper and Iron are essential for the new blood cell formation and a healthy blood count.
A deficiency in Iron can lead to Anemia, fatigue, and muscular weakness.
Note:
* Including Vitamin C-rich foods into our diets further helps by enhancing Iron absorption, especially that of non-heme Iron from plant sources which is generally not as well absorbed.
Foods & Circulatory System
Digestive System
• Regular consumption is said to help digestion, regulate intestinal motility and transit time.
Allspice natural compounds contribute to good digestion by increasing gastric enzymes secretion and can help regulate intestinal transit time, thus improving motility and relief Constipation.
• The spice is a Digestive Stimulant taken to relieve Flatulence and Indigestion, but may also be used to treat Diarrhea. Allspice has an action that is similar to Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata) where both are Stimulant, stomach-settling, and anti-septic.
• The eugenol (found in Allspice) can eliminate Digestive problems (such as Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, and Constipation), while calming, Rubefacient effects of its organic components make it perfect for soothing The Stomach and also facilitating healthy digestion.
Foods & Digestive System
Immune System
• Allspice is rich in anti-oxidants (such as Vitamin C, Copper, Manganese, Polyphenols [such as Tannins] and flavonols [such as Quercetin]), all of which boast great anti-oxidant properties.
Anti-oxidants counteract oxidative Stress and help reduce inflammation from oxidative Stress, resulting in a better protection against chronic disease.
• Copper and Manganese (are cofactors for the superoxide dismutase enzyme), our body’s natural defense against free radical cell damage.
Foods & Immune System
Infections
• Allspice anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects, particularly in terms of stomach bacteria (E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes) protecting The Stomach from outside attack through a natural immune response. Furthermore, when Allspice is added to certain foods, it can neutralize the bacteria at that level, before it ever enters your body to begin doing damage.
• Allspice contains eugenol (an Essential Oil with a great natural antiseptic and Sedative effect), thus an excellent antiseptic.
• The spice can help you Fight Infections.
• Allspice contain Vitamin C (a powerful natural water-soluble anti-oxidant that helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and eliminates cancer-causing free radicals in the body) and Manganese which can also boost anti-oxidant defenses.
• For example, some enzymes disarm free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the Energy production factories within our cells), which require Manganese.
• The spice has mild Sedative properties, relaxes muscles while its antiseptic effect helps prevent Infection caused by bacteria of fungi present on the Skin.
Precaution:
* Excessive amounts of Allspice use (because of eugenol) can act as an hepatotoxic agent and may have unpleasant secondary effects.
Foods & Infections
Musculoskeletal System
• The spice most celebrated aspects is its active ingredients ability to lower inflammation and alleviate pain in parts of the body, making it an ideal spice to give you some relief from Arthritis, Gout, muscle aches, or even Hemorrhoids.
• Allspice Essential Oil is anti-septic and analgesic.
• It also has certain analgesic components that allow for pain reduction in the case of injury or surgical recovery.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
The Brain & Nervous System
• The spice can help improve brain functioning as its good Iron content lead to increased hemoglobin production and increases blood flow.
Proper amounts of oxygen and Iron in the brain lead to increased cognitive performance and a decrease in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
• The spice can help individuals have a better night’s sleep thanks to its content of Magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that is directly linked to improving the quality, duration, and tranquility of sleep.
Allspice can also help regulate the Metabolism, in order to help reduce sleep disorders and the occurrence of Insomnia.
Foods & Nervous System
Women Health
• The spice berries have a strong estrogenic activity, thus may well be of help with menopausal symptoms.
Foods & Women Health
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Allspice
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Allspice
