Allspice
Botanical Name: Pimenta dioica
Family: Myrtaceae
Other Names: Jamaica pepper, pimenta, pimento, P. offinalis
Description: Evergreen tree which can grow up to 10ft and produces brown fruit from its third year onwards. Each fruit contains two kidney shape green seeds which turn black when ripe
Native To: Central America, West Indies
Cultivated in: Jamaica, Cuba
Parts Used: Fruit, leaves
Actions: Anaesthetic, analgesic, anti oxidant, antiseptic, carminative, digestive, muscle relaxant, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic
Constitutes: Volatile oil mainly eugenol. Leaves 60-80% Fruit up to 96% also methyl eugenol, cineol, phellandrene, caryophyllene
Essential oil extraction: Steam distillation
Traditional uses: Flatulence, neuralgic or rheumatic pain
Circulatory, muscle joint: Arthritis, fatigue, muscle cramp, rheumatism
Respiratory: Congested coughs, bronchitis
Digestive: Flatulence, toothache, indigestion, nausea
Nervous system: Depression, nervous exhaustion, neuralgia
Other Uses: Cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, aftershaves, food and drink flavouring
Cautions: Eugenol irritates mucous membranes essential oil should be used in small quantities