Pimenta dioica
Allspice
Pimienta dioica, commonly known as Allspice, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to the Caribbean and Central America. Renowned for its aromatic berries, it offers a complex flavor profile combining notes of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Beyond culinary uses, it possesses significant medicinal properties, including antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.
- Scientific name: Pimenta dioica
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Native range: Pacific
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pimenta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Myrtaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pimenta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Pimenta dioica, is widely recognized across various regions for its aromatic properties, and in several Chinese linguistic contexts, it is referred to by the same common name. Specifically, in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese (zh-hk), and Singaporean Mandarin (zh-sg), it is known as 多香果.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 多香果 | Wikidata |
| pl | korzennik lekarski | Wikidata |
| fr | Piment de la Jamaïque | Wikidata |
| he | פלפל אנגלי | Wikidata |
| ko | 올스파이스나무 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread and diverse geographical distribution across several major regions. In the South-Central Pacific, it can be found throughout the Society Islands. Its presence extends to the Northwestern Pacific, specifically within the Caroline Islands, as well as to the North-Central Pacific in Hawaii. Moving to the Americas, the species inhabits the Mexico Gulf region of Mexico. Finally, its range reaches the Southeastern United States, particularly in Florida.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central Pacific | Society Is. | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Caroline Is. | WCVP |
| North-Central Pacific | Hawaii | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Timut pepper, utilizes various components for its medicinal and culinary properties. The lush green leaves are highly aromatic and are often used to impart a unique citrusy flavor to dishes. When processed, the leaf extract can be utilized for its potent bioactive compounds, which offer potential therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the plant produces distinct berries that serve as a primary spice; specifically, the dried unripe berries are highly valued for their concentrated pungency and medicinal potency. Whether using the fresh Leaves or the harvested fruit, each part of Pimenta dioica contributes to its significant profile in traditional medicine.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried unripe berries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| berries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pimenta dioica has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Eugenol, eugenol, gallic acid, 2-phenoxychromone, Ericifolin.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Eugenol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| eugenol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-phenoxychromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ericifolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pimenta dioica has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pimenta dioica has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include DNA damage, SARS-CoV-2, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, analgesic.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Shigella flexneri | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Shigella sonnei | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| women's health | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |