Cloves are obtained from the clove tree, a highly esteemed aromatic spice in international cuisine, but also with great health benefitsespecially to relieve toothache and as an antiviral.
The clove treeEugenia caryophyllata Thunbsynonymous with Syzgium aromaticum) is a modest tree, about 10-15 meters high, with an elongated crown, lanceolate, hard and glossy leaves and light yellow bell-shaped flowers. It grows naturally on some small islands in Indonesia.like the Maluku, but it is also cultivated in the rest of Indonesia, such as the Sulawesi archipelago, Malaysia, Madagascar, India, Singapore, Tanzania and even Mexico, among others. It needs a tropical, rainy environment, with high humidity.
Cloves are the flower budsthat is, the flower before opening, which is when they contain the greatest fragrance.
Cloves were already used in ancient China, as a cooking seasoning, in perfumery and in various rituals. It was part of the coveted spices for whose export from the East the legendary spice route towards Europe by the powers of the time.
Properties of cloves
Cloves contain essential oil in abundancewith eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, pinene, methyl salicylate and alpha humulene, among other volatile substances. Among non-volatile substances, cloves contain mucilage, tannins such as eugenin, syzgnin A and B, phytosterols (stigmasterol, sitosterol), terpenoids such as oleanolic acid and flavonoids such as isobiflorin, biflorin and apeginin.
Due to this composition, the following properties are attributed to cloves:
- Antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic and antifungal properties.
- Appetite stimulating properties.
- Carminative properties.
- Expectorant properties.
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Analgesic and healing properties at a local level.
Due to these properties, clove has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and in the Ayurveda medicinal practice of India.
What is clove used for?
Due to its properties, cloves are used as a digestive to improve digestion, to combat fungal and bacterial infections, for toothache and oral health, for skin and mouth care, and as a natural insecticide, among other uses. Let’s see them in detail.
Benefits of cloves as a digestive aid
Clove, like other spices rich in essence, constitutes a excellent digestive remedyintended to stimulate hunger in listless people, recovering from an illness, with stress or anorexia, but also to facilitate good digestion
Relieves the symptoms of dyspepsiasuch as diarrhea, feeling full, abdominal bloating, nausea or dizziness.
It is no less useful to reduce the presence of gases, bloating and flatulences, and to attack the bad taste in the mouth.
Benefits of cloves as an antifungal
Different clinical laboratory studies have tested the antifungal action of clove essential oil extracts for the treatment of fungal infections such as Candida albicans and other resistant fungal infections.
Clove essential oil and eugenol in particular would show a notable reducing action on the development and proliferation of the cell membranes of the fungal strain, with an efficacy comparable to drugs such as flucozanol according to this study published in Journal of Medical Microbiology.
Also Clove oleate is used for these purposes. or maceration of cloves in virgin olive oil.
Benefits of cloves as a natural antioxidant
The essential oil also has a notable antioxidant action, which would stop the action of free radicalsprotecting the body against the possibility of a heart attack, bronchial infections, neurodegenerative diseases or some types of cancer in the future.
Benefits of cloves as an antibacterial
Clove extracts could be effective as antibacterial remedy at the level of the digestive mucous membranes and could be used for the treatment of very common and annoying digestive infections, with gastroenteritis and possible diarrhea, such as those caused by Escherizia coli, Helicobacter pylorivarious species of the genus Staphylococcus, Clostridium, Campylobacter, salmonella, etc.
It is also attributed some antiviral actionwhich would be useful for the non-pharmacological treatment of viral infections such as herpes simplex. A recent study published in Molecules collects this antiviral effect of cloves.
Benefits of cloves for teeth
But, without a doubt, the most celebrated application of cloves, as herbalists and dentists well know, is as natural analgesic to relieve toothache, to deactivate sources of infections by bacteria in dental plaque and for the treatment of stomatitiswith mouth ulcers, cavities or inflammation of the mucous membranes mouth, gums or tongue.
There are various products such as mouthwashes, toothpastes and similar It contains clove extract and also clove oleate (see below). In dentistry, some are known formulas that combine eugenol, a component of clove essence, with zincas a remedy to temporarily plug cavities in the teeth and thus prevent the development of infectious foci due to bacteria.
Benefits of cloves for the skin
Due to its astringent, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, cloves are used to reduce inflammation of skin woundson ulcers, sores, tears, insect bites and dermatitis, but also on dermatomycosis or fungal infections on the skin and lips, such as cutaneous and oral candida, ringworm or athlete’s foot, and onychomycosis or fungal infection of the toenails or hands.
It is usually applied in the form of washing, irrigation or baths with essential oil dropswith clove oleate or with the decoction of the floral buds.
The essence of cloves It is incorporated in the formulation of numerous cosmetic products such as creams, ointments, liniments, lipsticks and gels for skin care, to prevent premature aging.
Benefits of cloves for hair
Eugenol and clove essence in general are attributed the property of strengthen hair roots. It can reduce hair loss in long-term treatments and would give the hair greater volume and shine.
It would also help eliminate itching and other discomfort due to the presence of fungi and other parasites many times imperceptible.
It applies the decoction or drops of essential oil as a hair massagebut it is also part of numerous tonics, shampoos, dyes and sprays.
Benefits of cloves as a mosquito repellent
Clove essence and oleate offer high efficacy as natural insect repellent, especially mosquitoesincluding the hated tiger mosquito and Anopheles, which attack us in our homes and gardens.
Applies in the form of diffusers to prevent the emergence of these animals or in the form of insecticidal spray or ointment.
Due to its effectiveness as an insect repellent, there was formerly the custom of sticking cloves into fresh fruits to prevent them from being attacked by insects.
It has also been used as moth repellent on clothes that is kept in the closets.
How to use cloves
For medicinal purposes we can find cloves in various presentations:
- dried cloves to chew.
- In infusion as a digestive, carminative and antibacterial, up to 2 glasses daily.
- He essential oil in drops, with water or juice, for bacterial infections of the digestion.
- In fluid extract, in powders, capsules and tincture.
- Externallythe purified decoction is applied in mouthwash to gargle or rinse.
- The decoction for washes, baths, to massage hair and for mini-washes of hands and nails.
- He essential oil in an alcoholic solution to soak a gauze or piece of cotton and apply it to the gums and/or sore teeth.
- Combination of essential oils (clove, cinnamon and mint) for toothache.
- Clove extract as a component of ointments, liniments, gels, shampoos, mouthwashes, etc..
- Clove oleate smelling like antifungal, muscle relaxant and analgesic.
Chewing cloves
dried cloves They are chewed for their analgesic power to attack toothache, but also to stimulate appetitefor improve breath and for combat feelings of nausea and indigestion.
It should be noted that cloves have a strong, fragrant, somewhat spicy flavor, which leaves a cold sensation in the mouthwhich not everyone pleases.
How to make clove oil
It is worth differentiating clove essential oil –obtained by distillation– from clove oil or oleate, which is the maceration of cloves in olive oil. To prepare it:
- About 30 ml of virgin olive oil are lightly heated, without boiling.
- Add 5-6 cloves and let it rest for about 15 minutes, stirring gently.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- The oil, including the cloves, is poured into a translucent bottle, and stored in a space away from sources of light and heat.
This clove oil has different uses:
- As a muscle relaxant, applied by rubbing or massaging the painful area.
- To relieve toothache.
- To relieve headaches, gently massage the forehead and temples.
- To treat fungal infections, such as ringworm, or nail fungus
- To treat youthful acne, pimples.
- To treat insect bites and as a repellent.
How to use cloves for toothache
This rinse serves both to reduce toothache and to improve the symptoms of stomatitis, mouth sores and gingivitis.
- Ingredients: Clove, oregano, sage and poppy. Two tablespoons of the mixture in equal parts of the last three, to which we add 2 cloves.
- Preparation: Boil for about 3 minutes, let it rest covered for about 10 minutes and filter it through a sieve, avoiding any impurities.
- How to apply: Rinse completely, up to 3 times a day.
Other uses of cloves
In veterinaryCloves are used to treat fungal or bacterial infections in our pets, be they cats or dogs, to disinfect their fur or ears, to relieve pain in their mouths.
In perfumery and cosmetics, forming part of shampoos, ointments, creams, toothpastes, etc.
As a natural air freshenerwith diffusers.
In kitchenwhole or ground, in spice mixtures, to season stews, rice and salads. Also in baking.
Contraindications of cloves
The essential oil should not be taken internally in the pregnancy, breastfeeding, or administer to children under 6 years of age..
It is also not prudent for those affected gastritis,…