Allspice Tea as a Insomnia Remedy
Jamaica Pepper (Allspice) - Pimenta Officinalis
Origin: India
Used part: Seeds
Description:
Allspice refers to the dried berries of the plant Pimenta dioica, an evergreen shrub. It was given this interesting name as its unique flavor seemed to be a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, juniper, and ginger. It was originally grown in Jamaica, Southern Mexico, and Central America but can now be found in other parts of the world. It is also known as Jamaican pimento, myrtle pepper, and kababchini in other parts of the world.
Allspice fruits are picked when they are green and unripe. They are then dried in the sun until they turn brown and look like large peppercorn kernels. These dried allspice berries can be used whole or ground to a powder and used as a spice in cooking. The leaves of allspice plants look a lot like bay leaves and are also used in cooking. Additionally, meats smoked with the wood and leaves of the allspice plant have a unique flavor to them.
Health benefits:
Traditionally, allspice has been by dentists on teeth and gums as it contains eugenol that has some anesthetic and antiseptic properties. Allspice also contains tannins that dilate the blood vessels and make the surrounding area feel warmer. Thus, it is used as a poultice or poured in a hot bath to provide relief to sore muscles and joint pains caused by arthritis.
The essential oil of allspice is used to provide relief from several conditions like headaches, colds, insect bites, sprains, and sinusitis. Inhaling this essential oil has also been known to produce a relaxing effect and help insomniacs fall asleep.
An herbal tea made using allspice has long been used to treat a wide variety of ailments like stomach ache, flatulence, menstrual cramps, and diabetes. Allspice has been used as a marinade for the famous Jamaican Jerk Chicken for ages now and to add a kick of flavor to the traditional pumpkin pie.
Good Herbal Remedy:
- Protects heart health
- Improves circulation
- Dental care
- Antioxidant capacity
- Boosts immunity
- Anti-inflammatory qualities
- Aids in digestion
Directions:
When it comes to using allspice while cooking, you can go either way – either use the whole berries or the ground spice. And because it has such a unique and multi-dimensional flavor profile, it pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. You can drop a few dried allspice berries into your mulled wine or chai while brewing to add a deep, warm flavor to it.
A pinch of ground spice sprinkled into curries, soups or stews gives them a more rounded flavor. You can even give your desserts like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and gingerbread a bit of a spicy kick with this spice. And, of course, you absolutely need to try out the allspice marinade that is used to make the lip-smacking Jamaican jerk chicken that we’re going to delve into next.
Contraindications:
Although it is clearly a healthy, beneficial spice, it can cause serious allergic reactions in hypersensitive individuals. Also, if you have existing gastric ulcers or ulcerative colitis, it is best to avoid using this spice, as it can exacerbate the conditions. As always, before making any major change to your diet or trying out new things, consult a medical professional to make sure the effects won’t be negative.