10 Best Benefits of Allspice Essential Oil

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

The health benefits of allspice essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anesthetic, analgesic, antioxidant, antiseptic, carminative, relaxant, rubefacient, stimulant, and tonic substance.

What is Allspice Essential Oil?

Allspice essential oil comes from the allspice tree, also known as Pimento in the Caribbean islands, which is native to some countries of the Caribbean Islands and South America. It is a big evergreen tree whose botanical name is Pimenta dioica or Pimenta officinalis, the latter suggesting its medicinal properties. The taste (or rather its aroma) of allspice is a strange mixture of clove, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and a few other spices or condiments all rolled into one. [1]

The essential oil of allspice is extracted by steam distillation of its leaves and fruits, which slightly differ from each other in color and aroma. The chief constituents of its essential oil are cineol, caryophyllene, eugenol, methyl eugenol, and phellandrene. [2]

Three slim bottles of oil containing spices.

Spices bring their potency to their oils. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Health Benefits of Allspice Essential Oil

This essential oil, despite being somewhat unpopular with aromatherapists, has a variety of medicinal and therapeutic uses that are explained in greater detail below.

Anesthetic

This oil, when applied, has a numbing or anesthetic effect, although it is only locally effective, and does not affect the central nervous system. This can help withstand certain pains such as those of neuralgia, bone and muscular injuries, and joint strain, as well those pains from insect bites and stings.

Analgesic

The anesthetic property of the essential oil of allspice is responsible for the second property, the analgesic property, of this oil. Since it has a numbing effect on the nerves, it does not let them register pain or carry that sensation to the brain, thereby giving relief from the pain of headaches, colds, sinusitis, and others. This is certainly far better than swallowing those analgesics and painkillers (most of which are based on narcotics), which have a heavy toll on your heart, brain, and nervous system and can even inflict permanent damage on them.

Antiseptic

A simple looking wound can be very dangerous if it turns septic or catches tetanus. Believe it or not, even a small wound can become seriously fatal. Septic and tetanus are types of infections of wounds with certain bacteria and they can spread very quickly, engulfing the whole body and resulting in severe convulsions, cramps, breathlessness, pain, hydrophobia, and even insanity. The antiseptic property of this oil protects wounds against these infections and inhibits bacterial growth, thus avoiding the situations discussed above.

Antioxidant

This is one of the most important health properties of any food or spice today. People are simply crazy over antioxidants! This is because antioxidants seem to truly work miracles. They can actually stop aging by neutralizing the free radicals or oxidants and can also heal some of the damage already done by them. Oxidants, also known as free radicals, are not only responsible for age-related problems such as weakening of the muscles, hair loss, loss of vision and hearing, nervous disorders, macular and muscular degeneration, and lots others, but they can also trigger certain types of cancers in the body, such as those of the colon, intestines, and prostate. The antioxidant property of this oil can be very effective in countering these threats and can help you lead a long, healthy, and youthful life.

Carminative

Whenever we talk of gas in the intestines, we seem to enjoy the topic and it even makes people laugh. However, the situation is reversed when it happens to us. It can be very painful, disturbing, embarrassing, and even fatal in extreme cases. Moving from simpler to more complex complications, gas causes indigestion, unrest, stomach aches, heaviness, rheumatism, cramps, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart problems, and even death.

Relaxant

This essential oil sedates nervous afflictions and hyper reactions while inducing a relaxing and calming effect on the body and mind. This property also effectively gives relief from cramps and spasms. This is also helpful for bringing sleep to those people who are suffering from insomnia.

Rubefacient

Do you want some redness on your face? You might if you have a very fair complexion and this essential oil can give you a blushing look. The stimulating property of allspice essential oil increases blood circulation below the skin (and in the whole body), giving a reddish tinge. You can dilute it with a carrier oil for topical application as essential oils are generally strong and can be harmful if used directly. Before trying anything new, consult with your dermatologist for ensuring safety.

Stimulant

It stimulates blood circulation, digestion, and secretions in the body, thereby helping maintain proper metabolism. This also stimulates the growth of cells and the generation of new cells.

Infographic on the health benefits of allspice essential oil.

Why you should use allspice essential oil? Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Tonic

The essential oil of Allspice acts as a tonic for health and boosts the immune system of the body.

Other Benefits

This oil is helpful in giving relief from flatulence, indigestion, bronchitis, cough & cold, and arthritis. It is also used in the preparation of perfumes, candles, and cosmetics. [3]

Word of Caution: This essential oil can cause irritation in the mucous membrane and skin if used in high concentrations or high dosages. Therefore, it should always be used in lower concentrations and low dosages. Pregnant women should also avoid this oil.

Blending: The essential oils of ginger, geranium, lavender, orange, patchouli, and ylang-ylang blend well with allspice essential oil.

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About the Author

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

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