Cloves

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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What are different health benefits of including clove in your daily diet?

Scientifically known as Eugenia aromatica, Clove is the dried bud of a flower of an evergreen tree. It grows mainly in the warmer climates. Cloves are known for their flavor, aroma and medicinal value probably one of the reasons why it finds a place in innumerable cuisines.
Clove oil is one of the most common form that is used apart from the dried buds that are popularly used as a spice. Cloves are rich in their nutritional value. The most important constituents being manganese, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and vitamin A, it also contains vitamin C and K. Apart from these, cloves are also known to have dietary fibers. Because of such a rich content of vitamins and minerals there are many health benefits of cloves. Some of the benefits are discussed below.

Antimicrobial
Clove oil has a chemical compound called Eugenol. This chemical compound is found to be anti fungal and anti bacterial in nature. Apart from the cost effectiveness, being a natural fungicide it does not have the usual side effects that are common with synthetic drugs or fungicides.

Anesthetic
Cloves have been used since ages as a household remedy for toothache. Eugenol and beta caryophyllene are two major components of clove oil, these two components are known for their analgesic property because of which it is popularly used in dentistry as a local anesthetic.
Eugenol is known not only for its anesthetic property but it is also known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties because of which it is popularly used the drugs and dental fillings.

Oral health
The anti bacterial property of clove helps in maintaining oral health. It can be taken directly or diluted in water and gargled to remove bad breath or treat sore gums or mouth ulcers.

Diabetes
Recent studies have also indicated that a daily intake of cloves can actually increase the insulin activity by almost 3 times thus maintaining blood sugar levels. Making cloves a part of the daily diet can help in delaying the onset of diabetes.

Aphrodisiac
Cloves have been used since ages as an aphrodisiac. It is now proven through research that cloves do indeed enhance the sexual behavior in males. Research shows that cloves can be used for the treatment of premature ejaculation as well.

Mosquito repellent
Clove oil can be used as a mosquito repellent. Being very strong, clove oil if used on the skin should be used in dilution as it may lead to burning sensation. As a mosquito repellant it stays active for about 4 to 5 hours.

Respiratory health
Cloves have been found to possess the potential to prevent lung cancer. Further research is being conducted to support this discovery. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and cooling effect clove is popularly used in the treatment of coughs and cold. Gargling or chewing clove can help ease sore throat. Clove is also used in other respiratory disorders like bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma and sinusitis.

Blood circulation
Another health benefit of clove is that it helps in increasing blood circulation, which allows proper flow of nutrients and oxygen which, in turn, helps in the increase of body metabolism. Eugenol the extract from clove oil is also found to inhibit clotting of blood which helps in maintaining cardiovascular health.

This spice though originally used by the Indians and the Chinese has spread throughout the world because of the pleasant aroma and flavor that it can impart to the food. It not only finds a place in many cuisines of the world but because of all the health benefits of clove it is now one of the most valued spices.