Allspice berries are a fruit from the allspice tree native to Jamaica, used in cooking and as an herbal remedy for ailments such as stiff joints and toothache. It has a warm, fragrant aroma and is similar in flavor to cloves. Eugenol and tannins in the berries are responsible for their medicinal properties.
Allspice berries are the fruit produced by the allspice tree, an evergreen tree native to Jamaica, some areas of Mexico, and Central America. It has come to be cultivated in some countries of Southeast Asia; However, it is generally believed that the highest quality fruit comes from the island of Jamaica. Other names by which allspice berries are known are Allspice, English Spice, Clove Pepper, and Myrtle Pepper. When the Spanish first found the berries, they assumed they were peppercorns; accordingly, they named them pepper, the Spanish word for pepper.
It is actually the aroma of the fruit that influenced its name. Many people thought that it had the fragrance of a mixture of various culinary spices: cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Allspice berries are widely used by cooks around the world to season foods such as Indian curries, sweet meats, cakes, fruit tarts, and cobblers. Allspice and the spice known as cloves are very similar in flavor and one can be used as a substitute for the other for culinary and medicinal purposes. Most cooks and cooks agree that only the berries should be purchased whole and ground as needed for optimal potency.
The berries are considered by many to be an herbal remedy for various ailments, including poor localized circulation, stiff joints, and tired muscles. Allspice berries contain a chemical called eugenol, and it also has tannins which are substances that bind proteins in the body. These are some of the properties responsible for its medicinal use, which allows it to serve as a herbal remedy. During the Napoleonic War, Russian soldiers used the dried fruits of this herb to help keep their feet warm by placing some in their boots. The tannins in allspice berries act as a mild anesthetic which, along with its warming effect, helps relieve discomfort from stiff muscles if used as a poultice.
An herbal remedy for mild toothache is to put clove oil on a cotton swab and hold it over the tooth to help relieve pain. When clove oil is not available, allspice oil can be used instead. These oils can be made at home; however, they tend to be less powerful than commercially made ones. Some people choose to sprinkle freshly ground allspice berries on their meals, especially on hot cereals like oatmeal. This is not only to season the dish, but also to take advantage of the medicinal properties of the fruit during a meal.
Many people report that this spice is highly effective in helping to alleviate conditions such as excess abdominal gas and cramping. Ground allspice berries can be taken internally in capsule form. However, pregnant women are generally advised not to take this spice in any form.
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