Allspice

In the Caribbean, folks have long used Allspice as a healing aid. Jamaicans drink it as a hot tea for upset stomachs, menstrual cramps and colds. The Mayan Indians embalmed their departed leaders with Allspice. The Arawak Indians of the Carribians used Allspice to cure and preserve meats, they called it "boucan" Europeans that came to the Island learned how to cure the meat that way and back in Europe they soon were called boucaniers', the name buccaneers developed from that. Costa Ricans use it to aid with indigestion, flatulence and diabetes and Guatemalans have found that crushed berries relieve pain from sore joints, bruises and general muscle aches. In the 19th century, Russian Soldiers put Allspice in their socks to fight the bitter cold and the foot odor that developed from wearing the boots for weeks at the time. All of those remedies have been confirmed in recent years by modern science. Preliminary study's suggest that Allspice Oil fight's certain bacteria and fungi. Also that the Tea improve digestion.

The name "Allspice" comes from the fact that the spice itself has a flavor that combines the flavor of nutmeg, cinnamon, juniper and cloves. Most Allspice today is produced in Jamaica, but Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico also have a corner on that market. However, Jamaican Allspice is considered to be superior to all of the others. The higher oil content (4%), better appearance, the clove-like aroma and the better flavor is testimony to that. The Food and Drug Administration has Allspice on their list of Herbs and it is regarded safe for external use, however, the oil is highly concentrated and should NEVER be swallowed. Ingesting the oil, even in very small doses, could cause nausea, vomiting and even convulsions. It is also advisable to used very little of the concentrated oil on the skin and over a large area directly. Skin will absorb the oil and if it absorbs to much it can cause an overdose.
Allspice Oil is not one of the more popular oils for aromatherapy, it offers however a wide range of therapeutic properties and is a nice warming oil in the ease of Rheumatism pains, chest complains and in the combat of stress and depression.
The amount used will be powder, equivalent to a seven grain tablet. You can take it straight, in a warm glass of milk or just add it to a favorite snack.

American Allspice is not Allspice at all, but called that way because it's taste is similar to the Allspice Berry. The Native Scrub is actually called Spicebush, also known as Benjamin Bush, Fever Bush, Spice Berry. Spicewood or wild Allspice. It is a member of the Laurel family. The scrub grows between 2 and 15 feet tall and is covered by countless yellow flowers before the berries emerge. It grows in moist wooded areas and on stream banks. It is known as Fever Bush to some healers because a tea made out of the leaves and/or twigs is known to relieve fever.
During the Revolutionary War this bush replaced the Allspice the women had been importing from England and the twigs served as a substitute for tea during the Blockade. Colonial Surveyors believed that the soil was productive anywhere the scrub grown.

Lessen Toothache Pain:
Apply Oil directly to the troubled area, using very little at the time. A Q-Tip soaked with the oils and gently rubbed against the pain area will do nicely. It is advisable to see a Dentist as soon as possible if the pain does not go away.
Be careful not to swallow that oil.

Soothes Indigestion:
1-2 teaspoons of Allspice powder in a cup of boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a coffee filter and drink up to 3 cups a day. This will eliminate indigestion and sooth heartburn.

Relieves Muscle Aches and Pains:
Apply a poultice right to the painful area. To make a poultice, mix Allspice powder with a little water or olive oil, enough to make a past, spread an a clean cloth and cover the effected area. In case of delicate skin, you can layer the paste between two clothes. Cover with a towel and keep warm until the pain subsides. You can also tape the whole thing down to the skin and wear a heavy t-shirt or sweater.
Topical use may cause inflammation in some skin sensitive people. Stop the use if a rash appears to prevent unpleasant side effects. Treat affected area with pure olive oil. If symptoms do not go away in two weeks, see your doctor.

Colds and Flatulence:
Make tea as you would for indigestion and drink 4-5 cups a day.

Diabetes:
Make tea as you would above and drink before eating. Also have a cup on an empty stomach in the morning, but make sure you eat right after.