Allspice essential oil is a natural compound with a host of different health benefits. At various times, for various users, it's been used as an anesthetic, an antioxidant, an analgesic, a relaxant, an antiseptic, a carminative, a rubefacient, a tonic, and a stimulant. Curious about the name? Allspice gets its name from its subtle aroma. To the nose or the tongue, allspice evokes complex flavors that are reminiscent of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, pepper, and many other less complicated spices.

Allspice yields up an essential oil when its leaves and fruits are combined and subjected to steam distillation. The different parts of the plant each contribute something unique to the resulting essential oil. Chemically speaking, the most important ingredients in the resultant oil are caryophyllene, cineol, methyl eugenol, eugenol, and phellandrene. Though allspice essential oil is not often used in plain aromatherapy, it has a wide range of promising applications as a medicinal and therapeutic tool.