Allspice berries contain an oil that is the source of all its healing properties.
Allspice oil is rich in the chemical eugenol, also found in clove and several other healing herbs. Eugenol may promote activity of digestive enzymes. Eugenol has also been found to be an effective pain reliever, lending credence to the Guatemalan practice of applying the crushed berries to painful muscles and joints.
Dentists use Eugenol as a local anesthetic for teeth and gums, and the chemical is an ingredient in the over-the-counter toothache remedies Numzident and Benzodent. Allspice oil may be applied directly to painful teeth and gums as first aid until professional care can be obtained.
Allspice is a mild antioxidant. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that scientists say eventually causes cancer. On the other hand, in laboratory tests, eugenol weakly promotes tumor growth. This makes allspice one of many healing herbs with both pro and anti cancer effects.