anti-virus

What are different health benefits of clove oil?

Cloves have been used for home remedies and for flavouring cuisines for time immemorial. It is largely grown in Indonesia, South Philippines and the Island nation of Zazibar. Today Cloves are also grown in India, China, West Indies, Brazil, Madagascar and some other Tropical climates. Clove trees are 10-12 metres high; the clove is a flower which is originally of pink colour and on drying it becomes brown.

In fact Cloves are dried unopened flower buds. Clove oil is isolated from these dried cloves by steam distillation. Clove oil has 60-90 % eugenol. It is antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and has antiseptic properties. It has Omege-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, Fibre, Iron Potassium and Calcium as well. It also contains fair amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Dental Applications
Clove oil is used mainly for dental applications. It is a natural pain killer as well as it kills bacteria and fungus. Cotton wads soaked in Clove oil reduce tooth ache considerably. It can also kill bad breath and there is a saying that in China it used to be used as a mouth freshener. The eugenol in Clove oil is a natural pain killer.

Reduce inflammation
Clove oil can reduce inflammation in the body. In case of colds, stuffy nose, viral infections, asthma, and bronchitis, clove oil relieves such conditions. Clove oil is also used in massages to relieve muscle pain and arthritis because of its inflammatory properties.

Antiseptic and antispasmodic properties
As for its antiseptic properties it heals cuts and bruises, fungal infection, burns wounds and other skin ailments and cold sores. This is due to its high flavonoids content. It also relives muscle spasm if applied in the affected area.

Stomach Ailments
It can also be used to cure stomach ailments such as flatulence, loose motions, indigestion and nausea. Cloves are used to relieve, diarrhoea, gastric irritability and vomiting. Possibly that is why it is used in food preparations as a common spice.

Nutritional Value
Clove oil contains significant amounts of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, Sodium, Iron, magnesium and dietary fibre which makes it important nutritionally.

Curative effects
- Eugenol in the cloves helps in minimizing the harmful effects of environmental waste, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. It helps to boost the immune system by clarifying the blood and thus helps fight infection.
- In Asian countries clove oil is used to countries to cure malaria, cholera, scabies and other tropical diseases.
- Clove oil also prevents blood clots and is used to control glucose and hence beneficial for diabetic patients.
- At home it is used to relieve headaches. You apply clove oil mixed with salt on your forehead and headache is relieved.
- If clove oil is applied on a stye in the eye, the pain is relived and after a while the style disappears.
- It also relives ear ache. A mixture of clove oil and sesame if applied to the ear the pain is relieved.
- Clove oil also acts as a mosquito repellent and can be safely used for 4-5 hours effect.

Cosmetics
Clove oil is also used in the cosmetic industry in the manufacture of creams and lotions. In aromatherapy it is used as a massage oil to relive stress and tension by its application. Even perfumes use a mixture of clove oil.

Food
- Clove oil is used extensively in the Asian and African countries as a part of the spices used in everyday cooking. It highlights the taste of the food and also brings dilatory benefits.
- Mixed with either vanilla or other ice creams it is used in the preparation of Desserts.
- In certain Asian countries it is served as a digestive after food, along with other mouth fresher’s.

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Lysine : The Anti Virus factor – Functions, Sources and Deficiency symptoms.

Lysine is an essential amino acid which cannot be synthesized in the body. It is therefore essential that the diet should contain adequate quantities of it. Cereal proteins such as rice, wheat, oats, millet, and sesame seeds are deficient in lysine. Vitamin C has a protective effect on the body levels of lysine.

Lysine inhibits the proliferation of viruses. Along with vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A, it helps in eliminating virus infections. Since vitamin C protects this amino acid in the body, lysine with vitamin C has a much stronger anti-virus effect than if either is used separately.

The main sources of lysine are leafy vegetables, pulses and legumes, meat, poultry, milk and milk products, and ripe fruits.

The insufficient intake of lysine in the diet can lead to :
- a poor appetite.
- reduction in body weight.
- anemia.
- reduced ability to concentrate.
- headaches.
- dizziness.
- nausea.
- it is also associated with pneumonia, nephrosis, and acidosis, as well as with malnutrition and rickets in children.

Lysine is considered to be a natural remedy for cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes. It exercises beneficial effects in viral related diseases, particularly herpes simplex. During episodes of acute herpes, a minimum of 1,500 mg of lysine and at least one gram of vitamin C should be taken daily.
Lysine is used therapeutically to assist gastric function and appetite. It thus helps to enhance the growth of children. The therapeutic dosage recommended for this purpose is 500mg – 1500mg daily.