Allspice use in Ayurveda, which has been developed over the last two millennia, has likely originated from European colonization and subsequent use of it in Portuguese and the English populace in India. Its spicy, slightly sweet flavor is similar to cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1373661/, Hemaiswarya S, Doble M. Synergistic interaction of Eugenol with antibiotics against gram negative bacteria. Cultures where allspice is often used in food report fewer negative symptoms during menopause. Ericifolin, Eugenol 5-O-galloylglucoside, was first isolated from leaves extract of Melaleuca ericifolia 78), whose oil showed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities 79). 2008;585:325–37. 2004;21:301–3. Pak J Biol Sci. Allspice is used in pickling beets. 2006;19:50–62. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-substitute-allspice-in-a-recipe 1997;55:107–11. The meats that are seasoned with Allspice are then cooked over a P. dioica wood fire. 2011;305:21–31. They are similar in texture to bay leaves, thus are infused during cooking and then removed before serving. Although it’s not commonly used in American cuisine (unless you’re brining or making Cincinnati chili), it’s a staple … Ann N Y Acad Sci. Antiviral effect of flavonoids on human viruses. 2012;13(14):1900-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9404514, Doyle BJ, Frasor J, Bellows LE, et al. Wang RE, Kao JL, Hilliard CA, et al. Further studies are underway in the laboratories to fully illustrate its potential. This helps decrease the negative symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. 2011;25:152–60. Menopause symptoms affect about 70% of women approaching menopause with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as the standard treatment. Assessment of the anti-tumor activities of Pimenta leaf extract or Allspice extracts have used primarily in vitro cell (test tube studies) proliferation assays on normal and tumor cells. 2008;68:1773–89. Prostate. Kaur M, Velmurugan B, Rajamanickam S, Agarwal R, Agarwal C. Gallic acid, an active constituent of grape seed extract, exhibits anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-tumorigenic effects against prostate carcinoma xenograft growth in nude mice. If you’re on a low-calorie diet and eating a lot of chicken breasts, for instance, instead of adding flavor to your chicken with butter, you can save calories by using fresh garlic and rosemary to elevate the flavor. Eur Urol. 2014;1844(9):1481-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.04.013, Shamaladevi N, Lyn DA, Shaaban KA, et al. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Lo C, Lai TY, Yang JS, et al. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. Red meat and charbroiled food are associated with increased clinical incidence of breast and prostate cancers 36), 37). Martinez-Velazquez M, Castillo-Herrera GA, Rosario-Cruz R, Flores-Fernandez JM, Lopez-Ramirez J, Hernandez-Gutierrez R, Lugo-Cervantes Edel C. Parasitol Res. Allspice is used for pickling, including pickled beets, cucumbers, eggs, and corned beef. The anti-cancer effect of Gallic acid seems very general throughout many types of cancers. It’s available in most supermarkets, as well as specialty spice stores. Also, it is used for headache, to combat stress and depression and to overcome fatigue because of its comforting scent. On HeLa cells (cervical cancer), Eugenol showed selective cytotoxicity compared to normal mammalian cells. Allspice can be used for cooking and baking. 2011;162:23–31. Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer by Allspice Derived Polyphenol: Ericifolin. 2009;23:797–807. The dietary bioflavonoid, Quercetin, selectively induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of heat shock protein 90. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. Food Chem Toxicol. In addition to the classic apoptosis pathways, Quercetin seems to exert more ways to facilitate the induction of cancer cell death. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. 2006;5:3294–302. Jamaicans also drink hot tea with Allspice for colds, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and dyspepsia (upset stomach) 7). Pimenta trees are dispersed around the world with Allspice spelled in over 50 languages from Arabic to Vietnamese. It’s native to Central America and the West Indies, but is used around the world in just about every culture’s cuisine. Is Ginger Worth a Try to Improve Your Arthritis Symptoms? Protective Mechanism of Quercetin and Rutin Using Glutathione Metabolism on H 2 O 2 -induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells. Autoxidation of Gallic acid induces ROS-dependent death in human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Use them to add flavor and seasoning to a dish without the need to rely on salt, sugar or fat. google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9759235379140764", from jamaica. The epidemiological data on cancer incidence and mortality among countries in Caribbean basin is not low but high 34). Unlike bay leaves, they lose much flavor when dried and stored, so do not figure in commerce. In Caribbean cuisines, Allspice is the most important spice and used extensively, it’s used in Jamaican jerk seasoning, in mole sauces and pickling. Life Sci. 2011;59:1996–2003. Ericifolin: a novel antitumor compound from allspice that silences androgen receptor in prostate cancer. This discrepancy between Caribbean countries and Mediterranean countries may be due to many factors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12757841, Ito M, Murakami K, Yoshino M. Antioxidant action of Eugenol compounds: Role of metal ion in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Although, most uses of Allspice as folk medicine are inherited from ancestors among different cultures, more scientific studies have been carried out for a systematic assessment of its active components from leaves, bark and berries of Pimenta and to delineate potential medicinal values of chemicals enriched or isolated from Pimenta dioica. Allspice has an aroma similar to a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves 2). Clin Microbiol Rev. The essential oil extracted from Allspice have typical aroma of a combination of pepper, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon. Eugenol is a phenyl propene and several studies have reported its pharmacological activities 43). Many compounds in allspice may be able to reduce inflammation. The primary medicinal compounds in allspice include: Possible health benefits for allspice include: Allspice has carminative properties, which means it can relieve gas, bloating, and stomach upset. Antibacterial effects of allspice, garlic, and oregano essential oils in tomato films determined by overlay and vapor-phase methods. In vivo quercitrin anti-inflammatory effect involves release of Quercetin, which inhibits inflammation through down-regulation of the NF-κB pathway. Along with several other plants extracted studied, this might be one of the mechanisms by which herbal extracts used by South American women alleviates menopausal symptoms. Lana Butner, ND, LAc, is a board-certified naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in private practice in New York City. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21246442, Suárez A, Ulate G, Ciccio JF. 2005;35:584–92. Ericifolin: an eugenol 5-O-galloylglucoside and other phenolics from Melaleuca ericifolia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20634332, Kim SS, Oh OJ, Min HY, et al. Allspice is the dried fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. On the other hand, limited implication of antioxidant rich Allspice or Pimenta products on cancer incidence in Caribbean countries may be attributed to the method and form of its consumption. The pharmacological properties of Quercetin have been extensively documents. The widespread and diverse uses of Allspice, the leaves and barks of Pimenta have stimulated several studies in the last two decades on systematic investigations of the potential evidence-based medical use of Pimenta. Allspice has hints of other staple kitchen spices like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The English renamed it allspice because it has hints of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and juniper. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. The British Pharmacopeia Codex supposedly still retained pimento water 8). The most important component isolated from Allspice with strong antioxidant activity is Eugenol which composes 60–90% of the essential oil extracted from Allspice berries. Melanoma Res. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21675403, Nakai Y, Nelson WG, DeMarzo AM. 2003;73:337–48. 2007;68:1464–70. Allspice can be added to sweet or savory food, or even brewed as a tea. Boots AW, Haenen GRMM, Bast A. The berries are picked while still green and unripe and are traditionally dried in the sun.