allspice - Pimenta officinalis

Allspice is an oil that is very high in the phenol Eugenol and has a significant amount of methyleugenol as well.  Before I get to its benefits, I'd like to note that Allspice is a powerful essential oil and if used, MUST be used in very low dilutions and for short periods of time.  I'll explain more about its safety precautions below.  For the moment, let's look at the therapeutic benefits of Allspice.

Allspice essential oil acts as a local anesthetic - where it is applied, it numbs the nerves and blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.  It is also anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic,  a vasodilator, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), antiseptic, anticoagulant, antihistiminic, carminative, protective of the brain and liver, antioxidant, rubefacient, and stimulates circulation.  

This oil can do a lot - it is powerful.  It also has significant cautions and contraindications.  Phenols are chemicals that are very harsh and can damage the skin.  Allspice's chemical composition is more than 70% phenols, which means it will damage the skin if used in too high of a dilution or for too long a period of time.

Keep the maximum dilution of Allspice to 0.15% or less of a blend - Robert Tisserand recommends 0.07% (due to methyleugenol content).  Calculated out, this is 0.42 drop Allspice essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil (or 1 drop per 2.5 oz carrier oil).

Contraindications:
Do not use if you have a blood-clotting disorder or are taking blood thinning medications.
Do not use before surgery.
Do not use on children.
Do not use neat.
Do not ingest.
Do not use on broken skin.
Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not use on mucous membranes.

Use for short periods of time - no more than 2 - 3 days.