Cloves Health Benefits And Uses
The health benefits and uses of cloves have been known for more than 2,000 years. Cloves are used as a spice for both sweet and savory dishes.
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum L evergreen tree, native to the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia but widely cultivated throughout the tropics. The flower buds are dried by fumigation.
Cloves contain eugenol – a natural chemical that, in addition to its fragrant qualities, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic effects, and is also a very strong antioxidant.
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Eugenol is in the form of a yellowish liquid with an intense odor. It can also be found in allspice, basil, turmeric, bay leaves and cinnamon, but in cloves it is found in the highest concentration (about 20%).
In cloves you will also find flavonoids, which help lower blood sugar and can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory and even an antibiotic.
They also contain: manganese, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, potassium and omega 3 fatty acids.
Cloves Health Benefits And Uses
Cloves have anesthetic and refreshing properties, so chewing or sucking on them is a proven remedy for toothache and bad breath.
Fresh breath
A unique advantage of cloves is that they effectively freshen breath. Chewing them instantly eliminates the unpleasant odor in the mouth, even after eating foods such as onions and garlic. In this regard, cloves are an excellent alternative to chewing gum.
Toothache
When suffering from a toothache, or gum pain, it is recommended to chew a clove or soak cotton wool in clove oil and apply it to the painful area.
Studies have shown that clove oil can be used in dentistry as an anesthetic, applied topically before inserting a needle into the gum, so there is less pain. It is often used for dental procedures such as fillings and root canal treatment.
Strengthen the immune system
Due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects, they support the body in fighting infections.
Chewing and biting cloves prevents you from getting sick or relieves existing symptoms. It relieves sore throats, helps with coughs and decongests blocked noses.
Cloves aid digestion
They stimulate the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid, improve intestinal peristalsis, facilitate the expulsion of gas from the body. That’s why it’s worth adding them to hard-to-digest dishes. They not only enrich their flavor, but also prevent indigestion, flatulence and nausea.
Ground cloves can be mixed with honey, such a paste helps with flatulence and nausea. If you are bothered by stomach aches and diarrhea, you can chew cloves twice a day.
Cloves also have antiparasitic properties. One study showed that eugenol inhibited the growth of lamblia, a parasite that resides in an infected person’s small intestine.
Clove infusion recipe
An infusion of cloves alone, without additives, is a remedy for almost any digestive ailment – from heartburn and flatulence to abdominal pain or diarrhea.
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of whole cloves and brew for about 10 minutes. After this time, separate the infusion from the cloves and drink in small sips. You can add a little honey for sweetening.
Clove infusion also helps relieve a sore throat and has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. To reduce the unpleasant discomfort that is associated with a respiratory tract infection, you can bite and chew cloves (and then spit them out) – the anesthetic effect is stronger than if you gargle with an infusion.
Check out how to make a clove tea with ginger and orange.
Who should avoid cloves?
Cloves should not be abused by pregnant women, as well as those suffering from hypertension, hypoglycemia and blood clotting problems. You should not use it if you are allergic to clove.
Note: It is better to buy whole cloves, as powdered ones quickly lose their flavor. Whole cloves can be ground in a coffee grinder, preferably immediately before use.
Cloves – both whole and powdered – should be stored in a tightly closed container in a dry, cool, dark place. Whole cloves can be kept for a year, powdered – for 6 months.
The information here is provided for informational purposes only. It is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or treating any disease or condition. It is in no way intended to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. No responsibility is assumed by the author for the use of this information and no guarantees of any kind are made for the performance or effectiveness of the recommendations provide. By using this site you agree to these terms. (Read more)
Sources:
- Syzygium aromaticum https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072209/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34770801/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571206000248?via%3Dihub