PI M EN TA, or PIMENTO, allspice, the produce of Eugenia Pimenta, a tree native of the West Indies, but cultivated almost exclusively in Jamaica, thence called Jamaica pepper. The unripe two-seeded berries, which are about the size of a pea, are dried by frequent turning in the sun, by which their colour is changed from green to brown or grayish brown. Externally they are of a dull appearance, somewhat rough, crowned with the remains of the calyx, and frequently furnished with a little stalk. The shell is very brittle, about the thickness of a card, and encloses two seeds, which are roundish, dark brown, and somewhat shining ; and having a weak aromatic taste. The shell possesses an agreeable clove-like taste and smelt Two kinds are met with in com merce, English and Spanish, of which the former is the better.
Pimento berries are said to be adulterated with the berries or seeds of the Cocculus lndicus ; these are larger, about the size of bay berries, extremely bitter, and, in large quantity, poisonous. This adulteration Is scarcely credible, for the latter come from the East Indies, are dearer, and could only be successfully passed off when mixed with the powdered berries of pimento. The fraud may be detected by making
an Infusion, which, if pure, is not disturbed by tincture of galls or acetate of lime, which cause a precipitate when cocculus berries are present.
The shell appears to be the most efficient part, and to contain more of the active principles.
Bonastre obtained from the shells 10 per cent. of a heavy volatile oil, 8 per cent. of a green fat oil, an extractive containing tannin, resin, gum, and sugar ; also a principle similar to caryophyllin.
By distillation an oil is procured which resembles oil of cloves, and which conducts itself in the same way towards alkalies. It is a mixture of a light and heavy oil.
An an aromatic stimulant, pimento stands intermediate between pepper and cloves, for the last of which, on account of its greater cheapness, it may often be substituted.
It is useful in dyspepsia dependent upon stony of the stomach, and in diarrhcea dependent upon a similar cause.