{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Speciesbox | image = Myrcia acris.jpg | image2 = Pimenta racemosa 24zz.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group |author2=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) |date=2022 |title=''Pimenta racemosa'' |article-number=e.T62783A208346431 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T62783A208346431.en |access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref> | genus = Pimenta | species = racemosa | authority = (Mill.) J.W.Moore | synonyms = {{collapsible list| * ''Amomis acris'' (Sw.) O.Berg * ''Amomis anisomera'' Urb. & Ekman * ''Amomis caryophyllata'' Krug & Urb. * ''Amomis grisea'' (Kiaersk.) Britton * ''Amomis hispaniolensis'' Urb. * ''Amomis oblongata'' O.Berg * ''Amomis ozua'' Urb. & Ekman * ''Amomis pauciflora'' Urb. * ''Amomis pimento'' O.Berg * ''Amomis pimentoides'' O.Berg * ''Eugenia tabasco'' (Willd. ex Schltdl. & Cham.) G.Don * ''Myrcia acris ''(Sw.) DC. * ''Myrcia pimentoides'' DC. * ''Myrtus acris'' Sw. * ''Myrtus caryophyllata'' Jacq. nom. illeg. * ''Myrtus citrifolia'' Poir. * ''Myrtus pimentoides'' (DC.) T.Nees * ''Pimenta acris'' (Sw.) Kostel. * ''Pimenta acuminata'' Bello * ''Pimenta anisomera'' (Urb. & Ekman) Burret * ''Pimenta citrifolia'' (Poir.) Kostel. * ''Pimenta crenulata'' Alain * ''Pimenta hispaniolensis'' (Urb.) Burret * ''Pimenta officinalis'' var. ''cumanensis'' O. Berg * ''Pimenta ozua'' (Urb. & Ekman) Burret * ''Pimenta pauciflora'' (Urb.) Burret * ''Pimenta pimento'' Griseb. * ''Pimenta tabasco'' (Willd. ex Schltdl. & Cham.) Lundell * ''Pimenta terebinthina'' Burret * ''Pimentus cotinifolia'' Raf. }} | synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web|title=The Plant List: A Working List of all Plant Species|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/search?q=pimenta+racemosa}}</ref> }}

'''''Pimenta racemosa''''' is a species of plant in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that is native to the Caribbean region. Common names include '''West Indian bay tree''',<ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN | accessdate=2012-08-23}}</ref> '''bay rum tree''',<ref name="GRIN"/> and '''ciliment'''.

== Uses == It is used in cooking and an essential oil is distilled to produce a fragrant cologne called bay rum; although the name is similar to names of flavored alcoholic beverages, the concentrated essential oil from the fruit is toxic and renders the product undrinkable.<ref>desert-tropicals.com: [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Pimenta_racemosa.html West Indian Bay Tree, Bay Rum Tree] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174956/http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Pimenta_racemosa.html |date=16 February 2020 }}</ref> The leaves are also used for herbal teas.{{explanation needed|date=February 2023}}

=== Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties === Extracts from multiple varieties of ''Pimenta racemosa'' display anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are mediated in part by terpenes such as abietic acid and lupeol, which alter neutrophil migration into inflamed regions.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fernández |first1=MA |last2=Tornos |first2=MP |last3=García |first3=MD |last4=de las Heras |first4=B |last5=Villar |first5=AM |last6=Sáenz |first6=MT |date=18 February 2010 |title=Anti-inflammatory activity of abietic acid, a diterpene isolated from Pimenta racemosa var. grissea |journal=Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology |volume=53 |issue=6 |pages=867–872 |doi=10.1211/0022357011776027|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fernández |first1=A |last2=Álvarez |first2=A |last3=Garcı́a |first3=MD |last4=Sáenz |first4=MT |date=April 2001 |title=Anti-inflammatory effect of Pimenta racemosa var. ozua and isolation of the triterpene lupeol |journal=Il Farmaco |volume=56 |issue=4 |pages=335–338 |doi=10.1016/S0014-827X(01)01080-1}}</ref>

''Pimenta racemosa'' also demonstrates antinociceptive properties and has historically been used as an analgesic in the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Garcı́a |first1=MD |last2=Fernández |first2=MA |last3=Alvarez |first3=A |last4=Saenz |first4=MT |date=March 2004 |title=Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract from leaves of Pimenta racemosa var. ozua (Mirtaceae) |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=69–73 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2003.11.018}}</ref>

== Description == The tree is 4–12&nbsp;m tall and the white flowers, about 10&nbsp;mm wide, become black, oval fruits measuring 7–12&nbsp;mm.<ref name="Moore">Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): [http://www.hear.org/pier/species/pimenta_racemosa.htm Myrtaceae: ''Pimenta racemosa''] (by J.W.Moore)</ref> The ideal conditions for ''P. racemosa'' are regular irrigation and bright sunshine.

{{Multiimage | direction = horizontal | image1 = P.rac.-seeds-3.jpg | caption1 = Seeds | align = center | image2 = Pimenta racemosa.jpg | caption2 = Leaves }}

==Ecology== ''Pimenta racemosa'' is widely introduced and can become an invasive weed.<ref name=Moore/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=pira|title=USDA PLANTS Profile}}</ref> The plants are now grown widely in other tropical areas, including Oceania.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikispecies-inline|Pimenta racemosa|''Pimenta racemosa''}} {{Commons category-inline|Pimenta racemosa|''Pimenta racemosa''}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q812057}} {{Authority control}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}

racemosa Category:Plants described in 1933 Category:Trees of the Caribbean Category:Flora without expected TNC conservation status

{{Myrtaceae-stub}}