Allspice
Scientific names: Pimenta dioica, Pimenta officinalis, Eugenia pimenta
Family: Myrtaceae
Alternate names: All Spice, Allspice Essential Oil, Aqua Pimentae, Clove Pepper, Eugenia Piment, Jamaica Pepper, Jamaican Pepper, Kiln-Dried Allspice, Piment de la Jamaïque, Pimenta, Pimento, Pimienta de Jamaica, Poivre Anglais, Poivre Aromatique, Poivre de Jamaïque, Poivre de la Jamaïque, Quatre-Épices, Spanish Pimienta, Toute-Épice, Water of Pimento, West Pimenta Officinalis
Actions: Acaricidal, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Coagulation (following snake envenomation), CYP3A4-promoting activity, Food preservative, Hormonal, Immunologic, Lipid, Neurological, Nitric oxide-suppressant, Pesticidal
Background
Allspice (Pimenta dioica) is a tree. The unripe berries and leaves are used as a spice. They are also sometimes used as medicine.
Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol, which is thought to have some beneficial effects for pain and infection.
People use allspice for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol, which is thought to have some beneficial effects for pain and infection.
People use allspice for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. Also, some people are allergic to allspice.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe or what the side effects might be. Some people are allergic to allspice.
Surgery: Allspice might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using allspice at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe or what the side effects might be. Some people are allergic to allspice.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to the amounts found in foods.Surgery: Allspice might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using allspice at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using allspice for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of allspice might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Allspice might slow blood clotting. Taking allspice along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Allspice might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 18/11/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 21/12/2012 18:06:19. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
