Jamaican Pimento: 5 Unique Health Benefits of Allspice Tea

Benefits of Pimento tea: In Jamaica fresh or dried pimrnto leaves as well as dried pimento berris are make hot tea for indigestion, menstrual cramps, colds, muscle pain, headaches, and help with weightloss.

What is Allspice? All spice is the globally recognized name for Jamaican pimento berries. Pimento berries are called allspice because thier flavor has hints of at least three other spices.

fresh-made allspice tea made from Jamaican pimento
Pimento Tea

Jamaica remains the world’s major producer of Jamaican Pimento. However, the spice is cultivated in other countries.

Allspice Tea Benefits

Allspice tea contains plant compounds that make it a great choice for delivering the following benefits

Pain ReliefEugenol is the main compound in Jamaican pimento. The compound has pain relieveing properties that makes Pimento tea helpful relieving muscle aches, arthritis and other body aches and pain.
Digestive SupportDrinking a cup of Allspice tea may help settle your upset stomach and improve digestion. It may also help relieve nausea and vomiting because Eugenical is a natural carminative agent.
Immune System BoostEugenol in Jamaican pimento has been proven to have antiseptic and antifungal properties. Therefore, Pimento tea may help strengthen your immune system and fight off infections caused by bacteria or fungi.
Complement Menopause TherapyAllspice tea may help relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and weak, brittle bones. The reason is pimento tea may increase the levels of estradiol in menopausal women.
Retard Cancer GrowthNatrual plant compounds like  quercetin, ericifolin, eugenol, and Gallic Acid in Jamaican pimento have all been shown to have cancer fighting properties. Therefore, a benefit of drinking All spice tea is it may help prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading.

How to Make Pimento Tea

You can make Jamaican Pimento tea in just a few simple steps. The plant’s fresh or dried leaves can be used to make tea. Or you can use Allspice powder.

Jamaican Pimento Leaf Tea. Boil 4-5 leaves in two cups of water for approximately 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten and consume.

Allspice Powder Tea. Add half teaspoon of powder to one cup of hot water. Stir and let sit for 3or 4 minutes. Strain, sweeten-if desired-and serve.

Pimento Berries

Jamaican pimento berries are produced by the Pimenta dioica tree. The Pimenta dioica plant is a member of the Myrtle family which is native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.

Unripe Pimento berries are green but as the ripen the berries change to a purple color. In Jamaica, branches containing ripe Allspice berries are broken off the pimento tree. (New branches will grow and produce the next crop of Pimento).

Farmers then pick the berries off the branches and and sun dry them. Dried twigs and imperfect berries are discarded and the good Pimento is sold either whole or in pure powdered form.

dried jamaican pimento seeds
Dried Jamaican Pimento Seeds

What Does Allspice Taste Like?

When you first taste Allspice you get the feeling it’s made from different spices, but isn’t. Pimento seeds have a flavor that is similar to at least three other spices combined.

Allspice flavor has been described as a combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg rolled into one. But personally I find it taste more like cloves than cinammon or nutmeg.  

Allspice Uses

Allspice is commonly used in Caribbean cuisine, as well as European and Mediterranean cuisine. It is generally more convenient to use Allspice powder when cooking because pimento seeds do no dissolve.

Allspice is used to flavor soups, meats and poultry. Whole pimento berries work just fine for that purpose to. You will just need to remove them after cooking.

The spice is also used to flavor baked products such as cakes and pumpkin pies and other desserts. This is where using the powder comes in handy.

The bark and and wood of the Pimento tree are often added to the fire when making Jamaican jerk foods. They add a great smokey pimento flavor to jerk chicken and pork.

Jamaican Pimento Oil Benefits

Allspice Essential oils is used for aromatherapy. Inhaling a few drops can have a calming, relaxing effect.

Jamaican Allspice is world renowned for the unique quality of the essential oils extracted from Allspice that grows on the Island. 

Allspice essential oils are extracted from Jamaican pimento fresh leaves and Allspice berries.

allspice essential oils
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Jamaican Pimento Health Benefits

So overall, what is Jamaican Pimento good for? These are some valuable health benefits you may get from consuming Jamaican pimento.

  • Anesthetic: Allspice essential oils may help relieve muscle aches and  pain. It may also ease headaches.
  • Stress Relief: Like other essential oils, Allspice oil can deliver a calming effect. This may be especially appreciated by those of us who have a difficult time getting a good night’s sleep.
  • Antiseptic: Eugenol in Pimento oil can be used as an antiseptic for treating minor cuts and wounds.  This compound is often prescribed by dentists as an antiseptic to patients following  extractions, fillings, or root canals.
  • Antioxidants: Chemicals found in clove oil are also found in Pimento oil.  These are known antioxidants that help reduce skin inflammation such as acne. 
  • Digestive Aid: The carminative properties of Allspice essential oils can be used to relieve discomfort caused by bloating and gas. It may also relieve nausea and indigestion.

What Is Allspice?

Allspice are berries produced by the Pimenta dioica tree. Allspice is native to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

Is Allspice The Same As Pimento

Pimento is Caribbean name for the spice that’s known globally as Allspice. Pimento pepper is not the same as Allspice or Jamaican Pimento.

Do Allspice Berries Dissolve

The whole Allspice berries will not dissolve. So, if you use whole Pimento berries when cooking, you will need to remove them manually.

Are Jamaican Pimento Leaves Edible?

Yes. In Jamaica, pimento leaves are used to make an herbal tea. The dried leaves are crushed and rubbed on meats and poultry before cooking.

Can Allspice Make You Sick?

Allspice is generally considered to be safe. However there is no evidence that it is safe for everyone.

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. Please talk to your Healthcare provider about matters relating to your health.