Allspice
is a zesty spice has as much place healing as it does in pumpkin
pie. That's because the berries of this plant contain an oil that
can relieve stomach aches, soothe sore muscles and ease toothache
pain.
"Allspice owes its healing powers to "eugenol",
a chemical component in its oil," says Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.
D., director of the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory in
Salt Lake City and author of "The Scientific Validation
of Herbal Medicine". "Eugenol aids digestion by
enhancing the activity of an important digestive enzymes. The oil
is also an effective pain reliever." Dentists use
"eugenol" as a local anesthetic for teeth and gums, and
the chemical is also an ingredient in the over-the-counter (OTC)
toothache remedies 'Numzident' and 'Benzodent'.
Aromatic allspice berries have a long history of use in
Caribbean folk healing. Jamaicans drink hot Allspice tea for
colds, menstrual cramps and upset stomach. Costa Ricans use
Allspice to treat indigestion, flatulence and diabetes.
Guatemalans apply crushed Allspice berries to bruises, sore
joints and achy muscles. In recent years, the validity of most of
these uses has been confirmed by modern science.
Healing with Allspice:
Safety Considerations:
Allspice is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of
herbs generally regarded as safe for external use, though its
highly concentrated oil should never be swallowed.
Ingesting as little as 1 teaspoon can cause nausea, vomiting and
even convulsions.
Topical use may cause inflammation for people with sensitive
skin. If a rash appears, or you experience unpleasant side
effects, or your symptoms don't go away within 14 days, stop
using the oil and see your doctor.
Finally, you should know that Allspice is a mild antioxidant,
which means that it helps prevent the cell damage that some
scientists say eventually can cause cancer. On the flip side,
Allspice's active ingredient, eugenol, may also promote
cancer growth, making Allspice one of the many healing herbs with
both carcinogenic and cancer-fighting properties.
Scientists aren't really sure which way the balance tips yet.
Until they are, people at high risk for cancer should avoid the
herb.
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