Wrens Nest & Stuff

Monograph Files

Vol 1 Number 00018 Created: 26 December 2000

Monograph #18

Sweetshrub

By Daibhaid A. O'Broder

Photo by Dan Skean, May 1984

 

Common Name —

Caroline Allspice, Strawberry Shrub

Genus —

Calycanthus floridus

Source —

The spicy bark is the common form used from this plant it is sometimes used as a substitute for cinnamon.

Chemical Components —

"Some of the chemical components may include eugenol, methyleugenol, and caryolphyllene in a volatile oil. Other chemical components included are: quercetin, glycosides, sesquiterpenes, vitamins (A, C, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), minerals , tannin, resin, sugars, and gum. The oil can be distilled through a distillation of the fruit or flowerets."

Parts Used —

Leaf, branch, see, and root are used from this plant.

Description —

This is an easily cultivated shrub that is deciduous and has fruit-scented leaves, apple-scented flowers, and hard fruits with dark brown seeds. It has a bark that is cinnamon-clove-scent and camphor-scented wood. Not all forms of this plant are fragrant. The bark is useful for treating toothaches and the scented leaf treats fever and is used in potpourri.

Actions —

Limited data are available on the pharmacokinetic actions of the active ingredients. Two metabolites have been identified: homovanillic acid and homomandelic acid.

In animal models, about 1% of the active ingredient, eugenol, is demethylated. It causes CNS depression and inhibits prostoglandin activity in human colonic tissue. An antioxidant property has been claimed of the Eugenol and it is also secreted in the urine.

Allspice's of all types are claimed to be a GI stimulant and antiflatulent agent. Eugenol is know to increase the activity of certain digestive enzymes such as a protein-digesting enzyme, trypsin.

"Pimentol, derived from methanol extract of allspice, acts as a hydroxyl radical scavenger in in-vitro models. Eugenol's antioxidant properties have been reproduced in a few in vitro studies. Despite this effect, however, some data suggest that eugenol may promote cancer growth. (Oya et al., 1997)."

"Several in vitro studies of allspice provide evidence of antibacterial and antifungal activity (Hitokoto et al., 1980; Moleyar and Narasimham, 1992; Nadal et al., 1973)."

"In animal studies, ethanolic and aqueous extracts administered I.V. to rats cause dose-related hypotension, CNS depression, and analgesia, and hypothermia (Suarez et al., 1997)."

Common Forms —

Powdered fruit: 10 to 30 grams

Fluid Extract: essential oil

Pimento water (aqua pimentae): contains oil of pimento, 1 fluid oz.

Stripped Bark

Dried Leaves

Dried Seed

Reported Uses —

The essential oil derived from the oil holds claims to be therapeutically useful in indigestion and flatulence treatment in both traditional and non-traditional medicine, however, there is little or no clinical data to support these claims.

Diarrhea, fatigue, diabetes, colds, and menstrual cramps have all been found to have claims of therapeutic usefulness.

The berries of the allspice plant have been applied to treat bruises and soothe sore joints and muscles. The eugenol shows to have properties of being antiseptic. Eugenol has been and is being used by dentists as a local anesthetic and antiseptic for teeth and gums.

Dosage —

Adverse Reactions —

Interactions —

Iron and other minerals : interference with absorption of the minerals. Avoid concomitant use.

Contraindications —

In patients with GI diseases, such as ulcers of the duodenal, acid reflux disease, colitis both spastic and ulcerative, diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Patients who have cancer or are at a high cancer risk should avoid this as should pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Special Considerations —

Points of Interest —

Common allspice is used as an aromatic herb/spice in foods and provides some flavouring to toothpastes and other products. It has been regarded as safe for use by the FDA.

Analysis —

With the exception of the few in vitro studies and animal studies and human toxicology case reports, limited clinical data exist to support the use of this herb for any of its therapeutic uses as outlined. Lay literature holds most of the data available on the therapeutic values.

References —

Links to visit —

 

 

Copyright ©2000 O'Broder, AOID Publishing, All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction of this monograph in any form without specific permission of the author is a definitive violation of this Copyright.