“Allspice”
Pimenta officinalis
ALLSPICE
Pimenta Officinalis; Pimenta dioica
Folk names: All Spice, Allspice, Jamaica pepper, Myrtle pepper, Pimento, or Newspice
Definition:
Allspice is an herb that comes from the dried, unripe berry of a small tree called the Allspice Tree. It tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It is used whole to pickle fish and ground to spice Christmas Cakes. The oil from the leaves and dried fruit can ease upset stomachs and muscle pain. Also known as ground dried berrylike fruit of a West Indian allspice tree. The name “allspice” was coined by the English, who thought that combined the flavour of several spices, such as cloves, pepper and even cinnamon and nutmeg. Allspice originated in Jamaica, and was probably first found by Spanish explorers in Jamaica near the beginning of the 16th century. It was slowly exported into Europe after that. It is still almost exclusively grown in Jamaica, although some other Central American countries do grow a little.
Deciduous shrubs having aromatic bark; eastern China; southwestern and eastern United States. It is available ground or in seed form. Allspice can be used in a variety of dishes such as pickles, casseroles, cakes, and puddings. Also known as Jamaica Pepper. History – It was discovered by Columbus in 1494. It is the fruit of the evergreen pimiento tree. The flavor resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This spice is used in both sweet and savory cooking and can be purchased whole or ground. (emenus.ca/Victoria_and_Vancouver_Island/dictionary/A.htm, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/allspice, http://www.batplants.co.uk/allspicefinaldraft.htm, http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Allspice)
Magical/Folklore Uses:
Allspice, when burned, attracts money and/or luck. Can be Used in bags, sachets, baths, ointments, charms, etc for promotion of healing.Gender: Male. Planet: Mars. Element: Fire. Common Deities associated with it:unknown. Magical substitutes: unknown (Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, pg. 107)
