Allspice for Health
October 3, 2009
Allspice is the dried unripe berry of the Pimenta dioica plant. This plant is a native of West Indies, Central America and Mexico. Allspice also known as Jamaican pepper is a popular culinary spice. Its flavor is a combination of the flavors of cinnamon, cloves and nutmegs (hence the name allspice). Like most spices, allspice is also used by folk healers for curing several illnesses.
Herbal tea made with allspice and the oil extracted from this spice are packed with beneficial plant compounds. Allspice contains vitamin A, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin C. The essential oil extracted from this spice contains eugenol, cineol, phellandrene and carophyllene.
Fights infection
Allspice could act as a natural antibacterial and antifungal medicine. Allspice essential oil could be applied on wounds and minor skin infections. It helps to heal the wound rapidly.
Good for digestion
This spice aids digestion. It promotes appetite and cures indigestion problems. Allspice is often used for treating flatulence. To treat flatulence, mix a little sugar with two teaspoons of allspice oil and take it to reduce your discomfort. Add about 1 to 2 teaspoons of grounded allspice to a cup of water, and take this herbal medicine thrice a day to cure indigestion.
Cures pain
Allspice contains analgesic properties. The essential oil of this spice could effectively heal body pains. It can be used for lessening headache, cold and sinusitis. To reduce pains and to relax your muscles, you can drink tea made with allspice. Applying allspice oil on the painful muscles and joints provides relief from the pain. Allspice oil can also help to reduce toothache.
Improves blood circulation
Allspice stimulates blood circulation in the body. This spice therefore helps to improve the optimal health. Tea made with this spice can be used as an energy drink. It relaxes the body and can also help to relax your mind and improve your mood.
Food for diabetics
Allspice could normalize the blood sugar level. Diabetes patients could benefit by drinking allspice tea. To make allspice tea, pour a cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of whole allspice or one teaspoon of allspice powder. Steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes and then have the allspice tea.
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