Clover-pepper
StarPimenta dioica
Synonyms: Myrtus dioica, Pimenta officinalis var. longifolia, Pimenta officinalis var. ovalifolia, Eugenia pimenta var. ovalifolia, Myrtus pimenta var. brevifolia, Myrtus pimenta, Pimenta officinalis, Pimentus vera, Pimenta aromatica, Pimenta communis, Pimentus aromatica, Pimenta vulgaris, Pimenta officinalis var. cumanensis, Pimentus geminata, Evanesca crassifolia, Caryophyllus pimenta, Eugenia pimenta, Eugenia pimenta var. longifolia, Myrtus pimenta var. longifolia, Myrtus piperita, Pimenta pimenta, Myrtus aromatica
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Caribbean and Central American folk medicine allspice (pimento) is valued as an aromatic carminative and digestive: the fruit is taken in infusion or as a tea for flatulence, indigestion and colic, and the eugenol-rich leaf and fruit are also used in warming preparations for chills and to relieve toothache and muscular pain (Morton, 1981; Grieve, 1931).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Pimenta dioica, allspice or pimento, is an aromatic evergreen tree of the family Myrtaceae native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico and Central America, reaching 7-13 m. It has smooth pale grey bark, opposite leathery oblong-elliptic leaves dotted with aromatic oil glands, and small white flowers borne in cymes. The fruit is a small brown drupe (the dried unripe berry being the spice), and both fruit and leaves are rich in the essential oil constituent eugenol, giving a clove-pepper-cinnamon aroma.
Active Constituents
Eugenol
Phenylpropanoid (aromatic phenol)Concentration: 60-90% of berry essential oil; >90% of leaf oil
The signature compound of allspice, responsible for its clove-like aroma. Eugenol is analgesic, local-anaesthetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and underlies most of the plant's documented pharmacology; it also has antiplatelet activity.
Methyl eugenol
PhenylpropanoidConcentration: up to ~9% of essential oil
A minor aromatic ether contributing to the odour. It is a recognised naturally occurring compound with regulatory attention over genotoxic potential at high exposure, so concentrated intake is discouraged.
beta-Caryophyllene
Bicyclic sesquiterpeneConcentration: Major sesquiterpene of the oil
A dietary cannabinoid-type sesquiterpene (CB2 agonist) with anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity, contributing to the warm, woody-spicy character.
1,8-Cineole
Monoterpene oxideConcentration: ~1.5-2% of essential oil
A minor expectorant and anti-inflammatory monoterpene oxide adding a fresh eucalyptus note.
alpha-Humulene / alpha-phellandrene
Sesquiterpene / monoterpene hydrocarbonsConcentration: ~1.5% and up to ~6.7% respectively
Minor hydrocarbons contributing to aroma and to the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity of the whole oil.
Gallic acid
Phenolic acidConcentration: Abundant in aqueous/methanol extracts
A major non-volatile polyphenol of allspice with strong antioxidant and selective antiproliferative activity against several cancer cell lines in laboratory studies.
Ericifolin (eugenol 5-O-beta-D-galloylglucoside)
Phenolic glycosideConcentration: Characteristic constituent of aqueous extract
An allspice-characteristic galloylglucoside reported to inhibit prostate-cancer cell growth and androgen-receptor signalling in preclinical work.
Quercetin and other flavonoids
Flavonoid polyphenolsConcentration: Present in leaf/berry extracts
Dietary flavonoids contributing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory (antihypertensive) activity of the extracts.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Warfarin and other anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs
Eugenol, the principal constituent, inhibits platelet aggregation. Concentrated allspice essential oil or high-dose extracts could add to the antiplatelet/anticoagulant effect of warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel or DOACs.
Clinical note: Culinary use of allspice as a spice is not a concern; patients on blood thinners should avoid therapeutic doses of the essential oil or concentrated extracts, especially around surgery.
Hepatotoxic drugs (e.g. high-dose acetaminophen/paracetamol)
Very high doses of eugenol are hepatotoxic and deplete glutathione; theoretically this could compound the hepatotoxicity of other glutathione-depleting agents. Not relevant at dietary spice levels.
Clinical note: Avoid ingesting undiluted clove/allspice-type eugenol oils; keep essential oil away from children, in whom accidental ingestion has caused liver injury.
Preparation Methods
Culinary spice / powder
Parts: Dried unripe berries, Leaves
The dried unripe berries are ground and used whole or powdered as the warming 'allspice' seasoning; the leaves are used fresh or dried in Caribbean and Central American cooking (jerk seasoning, pickling, mulling).
Carminative infusion / decoction
Parts: Dried berries, Leaves
A pinch of crushed berries (or a few leaves) steeped in hot water is used traditionally as a warming digestive and carminative tea for flatulence, indigestion and colds.
Essential oil (pimento oil)
Parts: Berries, Leaves
Steam distillation yields a eugenol-rich essential oil used, well diluted, as a topical rubefacient/analgesic and flavour/fragrance ingredient. The neat oil is a mucous-membrane and skin irritant and is hepatotoxic if ingested in quantity; keep out of reach of children and use only highly diluted.
Clinical Studies
Medicinal properties of the Jamaican pepper plant Pimenta dioica and Allspice
Reviews allspice constituents (eugenol, gallic acid, ericifolin, quercetin) and classifies extracts as antioxidant (radical scavengers), antihypertensive (vasodilator) and antiproliferative agents with chemopreventive potential; notes that robust human clinical trials are still lacking.
Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. Bioactive Constituents Exert Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Anti-Inflammatory Activities: Molecular Docking and Dynamics, In Vitro, and In Vivo Studies
Isolated ferulic acid, rutin, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid from allspice leaves; rutin, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in vitro (IC50 31, 108 and 360 ug/mL) and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, G-CSF) in lung tissue in vivo.
Historical Texts
Maya and other Mesoamerican traditional use
Pre-ColumbianEuropean herbals and colonial trade records (Jamaica pepper / pimento)
16th-18th centuryReferences
- Zhang L, Lokeshwar BL. Medicinal properties of the Jamaican pepper plant Pimenta dioica and Allspice . Current Drug Targets (2012) [DOI]
- El Gizawy HA, Boshra SA, Mostafa A, et al.. Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. Bioactive Constituents Exert Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Anti-Inflammatory Activities . Molecules (2021) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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