Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Allspice - the Safety Factor
Powdered allspice adds a warm, rich flavor to foods, but its highly concentrated oil should never be swallowed. As little as I teaspoon can cause nausea, vomiting, and even convulsions.
Although allspice oil is effective when applied externally, this may not always be a good idea. In people with sensitive skin, particularly those with eczema, the oil may cause inflammation.
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. At this point, scientists aren’t sure which way the balance tilts Until they are, people with any history of cancer should probably not use medicinal doses of allspice.
Allspice is on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, allspice is considered safe in amounts typically recommended. Allspice should be taken in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If allspice causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Native Cultivation
Native to Central America and the Caribbean, and now cultivated in South America, the 40-foot allspice tree has large, leathery, oblong leaves and produces clusters of ½-inch berries in July and August. It is not grown in the United States.