West Indian Bay

About four species of aromatic, evergreen trees belong to this tropical American genus. The fruits of Pimenta dioica were first imported to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century and given the name "allspice" by John Ray (1627-1705), and English botanist, who likened their flavor to a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Allspice is an important crop in Jamaica; trees are grown in plantations, knwon as "pimento walk", which fill the air with their fragrance during the flowering season. Pimenta dioica is rich in volatile oil, which consists mainly of eugenol (as found in Syzygium aromaticum, See, Clove). The related West Indian P. racemosa was once important as the source of bay rum, an aromatic liquid used in hair dressings, which was distilled from the leaves and is now synthesized. This species has five varieties that differ in distribution and in the chemical composition of their essential oils. The most widespread and commercially important is P. racemosa var. racemosa, which is cultivated, notably in the Dominican Republic, as a source of bay oil or West Indian bay oil; it has a pleasant, spicy aroma and also contains eugenol.

Evergreen, often shrubby tree with gray to light brown, peeling bark, and elliptic to obovate, stiffly leathery leaves, to 10cm (4in) long, which have rounded tips and revolute margins. Fragrant white flowers, 1cm (3/8in) across, are produced in branched clusters in spring and summer, followed by fleshy black berries, abdout 1cm (3/8in) across.

Common Name:	West Indian Bay
Other Names:	Bay Rum Tree
Botanical Name:	Pimenta racemosa syn. P. acris
Genus:	Pimenta
Family:	Myrtaceae
Native Location:	West Indies, Venezuela, and the Guianas.
Cultivation:	Rich, well-drained, sandy soil in sun.
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe; semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:	Leaves are picked as required and used fresh for infusions. Fruits are collected when fully grown, but unripe and green, and distilled for oil, or dried for liquid extracts and powders; they turn black when dried. Bark is removed from prunings, dried and ground.
Height:	14m (42ft)
Width:	5m (15ft)
Hardiness:	Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F)
Parts Used:	Bark, Fruits, Leaves, Oil.
Properties:	An astringent, antiseptic, aromatic herb with rubefacient effects when applied externally.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally, as a tea for chills. Externally for muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, greasy hair, dandruff, and hair loss.
Culinary Uses:	Barks and fruits are used for flavoring in the Carribean, notably in blaff (fish broth).
Economic Uses:	Oil and extracts are used for flavoring in the food industry.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs by Joseph Kadans, N.D., Ph.D. Copyright © 1970 Parker Publishing Company, Inc. pg 29 The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 316-317