Allspice Essential Oil (Pimenta officinalis)

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Allspice Essential Oil (Pimenta officinalis)

Quick Facts
Color: Pale yellow to brown
Viscosity: Thin
Method of Extraction: Steam distilled
Plant parts: Berries
Countries: Caribbean
Scent: Spicy, clove, sweet, warm, cinnamon
Odor Intensity: Medium
Blending Note: Middle
Fragrance Family: Spices
Blends well with: Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Opopanax, Orange, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang
Chemical notes: High in Phenols

physical uses and benefits

Properties: Analgesic, warming, antiseptic, carminative, stimulant, rubefacient, anesthetic, anti-anxiety, digestive tonic
Physical Uses: Viral and bacterial infections, colds, flatulence, sinusitis, bronchitis, arthritis, coughs, rheumatism, muscle soreness, headaches, localized numbing, insomnia

emotional uses and benefits

Emotional Uses: Depression, nervous tension, stress, relaxing

skin and hair

No data

safety

Safety: Mucus membrane and skin irritant—use in low dilutions. Avoid if you have a bleeding disorder as it may inhibit clotting. May interact with certain drugs—consult your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid around babies and children

Allspice is a pale yellow to brown oil that is steam distilled from berries and leaves. The best oil comes from the berries. Its scent is spicy, sweet, and warm, and is reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon.

Blending

Allspice generally blends well with citrus oils and other spice oils. It also blends well with geranium, ginger, lavender, opopanax, orange, patchouli, and ylang ylang. It is a middle note and has a medium to strong odor intensity so be careful not to overwhelm your blend with it.

In both topical and diffuser applications, dilutions should be kept low as it can be a skin sensitizer and a mucous membrane irritant. It is high in phenols, in particular eugenol. In a diffuser, it should be less than 10% of your blend, and topically it should be diluted to .3% or less.

Uses

Muscle Soreness: Allspice is a warming oil making it wonderful for muscle soreness and rheumatism. Due to the high phenol content, limit yourself to one drop of allspice to 1 oz of carrier oil when making a massage oil and only apply to the affected area. You can add other warming or analgesic oils to your blend.

Digestive Issues: Allspice is carminative, which means it helps with flatulence. It is also useful for other types of digestive system upset like cramps, nausea, and indigestion. Dilute one drop of allspice into 1 oz of carrier oil and massage into the stomach area. You can add a couple drops of other good digestive oils like peppermint or ginger.

Colds and Flu: Allspice can be helpful for colds and flu. You can make a massage oil as above and rub into the chest, or you can use it in a diffuser blend. Its analgesic properties can help with pain, and it’s warming properties can help with chills. It also has antiseptic properties.

Depression & Stress: While the most common uses for this somewhat uncommon essential oil are for digestion and muscle aches, it can also be used to uplift mood and ease depression. Use a drop in your diffuser for depression or stress and blend other oils like stress-reducing lavender or uplifting orange.

Safety

Allspice has a long list of safety considerations, many due to the phenol content. If you are taking any medications, especially for depression or blood clotting, consult your doctor before using allspice. Uselow dilutions as it can be a skin sensitizer and a mucous membrane irritant. Due to the phenol content it should not only be used in low dilutions but also for short periods of time to prevent potential liver damage. Phenols should not be used for longer than 2 weeks without taking a break. It should not be used if you are pregnant and also avoid use on or around babies and children.