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Listing all posts with label Essential Oils. Show all posts.

  1. Allspice Essential Oil

    Posted by Magda on April 2, 2018 at 6:11 PM under
    Essential Oils
    • 0 comments

    Known under different names like Allspice, Jamaica pepper, clove pepper or myrtle pepper, Pimento (Pimenta officinalis/dioica) is the fruit of an evergreen tropical tree, in the myrtle family. Being indigenous to the West Indies and South America, allspice it is one of the spices which originated in the New World. Allspice tree is related to the eucalyptus, niauli, cajeput and clove trees.   
    Pimenta officinalis essential oil is extracted through steam distillation from the unripened, dried allspice berries. The aroma of berries is similar to a mixture of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper, hence the name allspice.
    Major Constituents of Pimento essential oil: 
    Eugenol
    1,8-Cineole
    B-Caryophyllene
    a-Caryophyllene
    Methyleugenol
    Gamma-Cadinenel
    Caryophyllene oxide
    In recent years, a shift in societies’ interest towards natural alternatives instead of synthetic chemical compounds starting from medicines to pesticides, has led to a more accurate investigation of different essential oils. The aromatic constituents of Allspice tree leaves and its unripe berries were studied and have resulted in the discovery of many known and new aromatic compounds that show antibacterial, hypotensive, anti-neuralgic and analgesic properties.
    Allspice essential oil has the following attributes:
    • Anesthetic: when applied to the skin or mucous membranes, has a localized numbing (anesthetic) effect, without affecting the central nervous system. The berry has been traditionally used to numb toothache. We always advocate dental checkups and dentist visits in case of dental problems. However, in case of a sudden toothache, dilute 2 drops of Allspice essential oil with 5 drops of carrier oil and rub it on your gums, at the site of the pain to help numb the area. Eugenol, the major constituent of clove (and Allspice) oil, has been widely used for its anesthetic and analgesic action in dentistry.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21299140)  
    • Analgesic: Due to its numbing effect, Pimento essential oil reduces the perception of pain. A couple of drops of allspice essential oil in a bath or in combination with other oils as a massage is helpful in relieving pains and aches due to arthritis, rheumatism, bruises, and overworked or pulled muscles. This 2012 study examines the analgesic activity of Eugenol. Eugenol is the main constituent of Allspice essential oil. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22728369).
    • Antioxidant: Allspice essential oil helps neutralize the free radicals. Free radicals are products of natural cellular metabolism. An overproduction of free radicals, however, causes oxidative stress and biological damage. Oxidative stress is partially responsible for aging and illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. Using ground Allspice berries to flavor your dishes, along with a healthy diet will go a long way in helping you with neutralizing free radicals. The ethyl acetate-soluble part of allspice, berries of Pimenta dioica, showed strong antioxidant activity and radical-scavenging activity against 1,1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazl (DPPH) radical. From the ethyl acetate-soluble part, two new compounds,(…) were isolated together with 11 known polyphenols…Quercetin and its glycoside showed remarkable activity for scavenging DPPH radical and inhibiting peroxidation of the liposome. Two new compounds also exhibited strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effect on the peroxidation of liposome and myricetin.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15751147/) 
    • Antiseptic: Applied to wounds, Allspice essential oil helps prevent infections or sepsis, by inhibiting bacterial growth. In Central and South America as well as in the Caribbean it has been traditionally used to treat dental and viral infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and colds.  
    • Anti-parasitic: A 2011 study concluded that Allspice essential oil can be used as an effective alternative tick control (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20865426/) and there is a high probability they can be used for other ticks affecting cattle in Mexico and throughout the world, thereby reducing the necessity for traditional and unfriendly synthetic acaricides. 
    • Antiproliferative: Recent studies have shown two of the known compounds isolated from Allspice, Eugenol, and Gallic acid have selective antiproliferative and anti-tumor properties on human cancer cells and their animal models. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23140298) Novel compounds such as Ericifolin from the aqueous extract of Allspice berries show potent anti-prostate cancer properties (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23568956). An extract of Allspice berries was tested against human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrate anti-tumor and chemo-preventive activity of Allspice extract against human breast cancer cells, potentially to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in a combined treatment.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25945840). As a preventative, use ground Allspice berries for flavoring whenever possible. 
    • Carminative: Pimento helps relief flatulence or gas in the intestines. In Central America, Allspice is known as a folk remedy for the treatment of digestive problems, flatulence, dyspepsia and abdominal pain. Use ground Allspice berries as a spice on foods which can cause flatulence to avoid abdominal pain. 
    • Relaxant: Allspice essential oil aroma has a relaxing and calming effect on the body and mind. Traditionally it has been used to treat nervous exhaustion, hysterical paroxysms, neuralgia, and convulsions. Pimento leaf extract decreases blood pressure and has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9173181)  
    • Stimulant: Allspice essential oil is a very warming oil and gets the circulation going. In case of “cold fingers” or toes, mix 2 drops of Allspice essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage it on the affected area. This will increase blood circulation which in turn will warm up the cold area.

    Other uses of Allspice
    Whole or powdered Allspice berries are used as flavoring in different ethnic cuisines. In Central American cooking, Pimento is used widely for seasoning and pickling. Jamaicans also soak the berries in rum to make a special liqueur. In Britain, Allspice is used for flavoring pickled vegetables, as well as added to stews and sauces. In other countries Pimento is mostly used in desserts like gingerbread, pumpkin pie, spice cake and banana bread, just to name a few.
    Allspice essential oil is used in natural perfumery, soap and candle making, as well as to make potpourri and herb pillows. Allspice essential oils (from berries and leaves) have also been substituted as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides and fungicides in wood protection (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19722567) and plant disease treatments. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586506/)

    Blending: Allspice essential oil blends well with frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, orange and ylang-ylang essential oils.
    Caution: May irritate the skin and mucous membranes. It should always be used in low concentrations and low dosages, diluted in carrier oils.
    Disclaimer:
    Any and all information provided by Apothecary Naturals is for educational purposes only. It is not designed to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The data is not guaranteed to be accurate and should not be treated as complete. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical counseling with a healthcare professional. No part of this article may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit written permission of Apothecary Naturals. Always consult your physician if you are pregnant or have any other medical problem and use essential oils only under the guidance of a homeopathic practitioner. Always perform a skin patch test before using any essential oil. Never take essential oils internally without advanced essential oil knowledge only if directed by your homeopathic practitioner. Always consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils on children or pets.
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