Allspice: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Allspice (Pimenta dioica) is a tree. The unripe berries and leaves are used as a spice. They are also sometimes used as medicine.

Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol, which is thought to have some beneficial effects for pain and infection.

People use allspice for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Allspice overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. Also, some people are allergic to allspice.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe or what the side effects might be. Some people are allergic to allspice.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if allspice is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to the amounts found in foods.

Surgery: Allspice might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using allspice at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Allspice
Allspice might slow blood clotting. Taking allspice along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Dosing

Allspice is commonly used as a flavoring in foods. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of allspice might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

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Ramos A, Visozo A, Piloto J, et al. Screening of antimutagenicity via antioxidant activity in Cuban medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;87:241-6.

Suarez A, Ulate G, Ciccio JF. Cardiovascular effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Pimenta dioica in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;55:107-11.

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Doyle, B. J., Frasor, J., Bellows, L. E., Locklear, T. D., Perez, A., Gomez-Laurito, J., and Mahady, G. B. Estrogenic effects of herbal medicines from Costa Rica used for the management of menopausal symptoms. Menopause. 2009;16(4):748-755.

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Shamaladevi N, Lyn DA, Shaaban KA, et al. Ericifolin: a novel antitumor compound from allspice that silences androgen receptor in prostate cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2013;34(8):1822-32.

Doyle BJ, Lawal TO, Locklear TD, et al. Isolation and identification of three new chromones from the leaves of Pimenta dioica with cytotoxic, oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic effects. Pharm Biol. 2018;56(1):235-244.

Mérida-Reyes MS, Muñoz-Wug MA, Oliva-Hernández BE, et al. Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. from Guatemala. Medicines (Basel). 2020 Sep 23;7(10):59. doi:

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Regula P, Edelman D, Ferastraoaru D, Ramesh M, Hudes G. Severe allergic reaction to allspice, a hidden food allergen. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022;129(2):241-2.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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