Allspice CO2.

If you love cinnamon, nutmeg and clove with a hint of black pepper, you will fall for this oil. The distilled essential oil of allspice can be quite strong; the CO2 is a bit more subtle, and it leaves you with a smile and memories of autumns past.

It is extracted with CO2 from the dried fruit of Pimenta dioica, also called pimento berry, the spice that seasons baked goods, sauces and meat dishes, and one perfumers use too. Its main component is eugenol, at a typical 20 to 40% in the CO2 compared with 67 to 80% in the distilled oil. It is warming and uplifting, a comfort on cold days.

Allspice shines in a blend, especially beside the sweet citrus oils. It adds a sweet, spicy note to a blend for clearing the air, and a few drops in a massage oil feel warming and stimulating.

Details

• Botanical name: Pimenta dioica (Pimenta officinalis)
• Method: CO2 extract, organically extracted from the dried fruit (berry)
• Eugenol: typically 20 to 40%
• Shelf life: about 2 to 3 years after opening
• Blends with: sweet orange, ginger, geranium, lavender, sweet marjoram, patchouli, ylang-ylang, rose absolute, vanilla, and other spice and wood oils

How to use

Add a few drops to a diffuser blend, or dilute in a carrier oil for a massage blend. Store it dark and refrigerated, and decant a half-full bottle into a smaller, full one to extend its life. Keep out of reach of children. A small bottle of autumn for every season.