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In the previous article, we looked at the many uses of cilantro, also called coriander, as a culinary and medicinal herb.
In this article, we will look at the Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) herb, one of the world’s most precious spices.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) – a very precious spice
Cloves, like most herbs, have been around for a very long time – over 2,000 years. One very popular use is for oral health.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the first record of use was 220-260 CE during the Han period as a breath sweetener.
American Botanical Council
It is a classic herb for toothache. You take a clove and bite on it for its analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
Usually if you cannot get your hands on some cloves, Allspice can be a substitute, though we tend to think of Allspice as something we cook with.
The word “clove” comes from the Latin word “clavus” which means nail. If you have ever looked at a clove you will notice that it does resemble a nail.
Cooking usage
Another popular use of Cloves is in culinary dishes, where, for example, many people use whole cloves when they cook ham by sticking the spiky part around the outer edges of the ham for extra flavor. Indian curries also include cloves. It is also used in pickles, sauces, Worcestershire sauce, and even spiced cakes that are baked from scratch.
How has the spice been used medicinally?
The spice has been used as a
- carminative (relieving flatulence),
- antiemetic (preventing vomiting),
- antibiotic,
- antirheumatic,
- expectorant,
- stomachic (promoting appetite/assisting digestion),
- spasmolytic (also called antispasmodic: relieving/suppressing muscle spasms),
- emmenagogue (stimulating/increasing blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus), and
- antiseptic.
The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of clove is said to be higher than many fruits, vegetables and other spices.
Research has shown its effects in dealing with
- oral health,
- diabetes,
- cancer, and
- obesity.
Uses of Clove tea
Some make a combination of cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, and marjoram for a hot tea that helps with
- bronchitis,
- asthma,
- coughs,
- a tendency to infection,
- tuberculosis,
- altitude sickness,
- nervous stomach,
- nausea,
- diarrhea,
- flatulence,
- indigestion,
- dyspepsia,
- gastroenteritis,
- the side effects of lobelia, and
- depression.
See the video at the end of this article for making clove tea.
Other uses of cloves
Combining cloves with ginger is a good way to settle the stomach and stop vomiting. Cloves have been used for failing eyesight as well as tooth problems. It was used for earaches very often throughout history by putting a little warmed clove oil on a piece of cotton and in your ear to deal with earache.
So, Cloves are corelated with pain relief, easing nausea and vomiting, and improving digestion. Cloves also kill intestinal parasites and act as an antimicrobial agent. It has also been suggested that cloves have antihistamine properties as well.
In the 16th and 17th centuries cloves were worth their weight in gold. It is the clove oil, however, that is most essential.
Clove bud essential oil has a warming, stimulating aroma (note the Latin species name earlier: aromaticum), and is available for purchase at good health stores, as well as online.
How to make clove tea
So, the next time you bring out that jar of whole cloves for that special ham dinner, consider what else you might be doing for yourself and/or your family in the way of improving their health.
In the next article, we will look at the humble dandelion.
To a better, wiser, stronger YOU!
Sources:
HerbClip News: Cloves, 06-30-2017. Located at American Botanical Council (online),
https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbclip/herbclip-news/2017/cloves/ [Accessed May 4, 2023]
HerbClip News: Clove, 06-15-2019. Located at American Botanical Council (online), http://herbalgram.org/resources/herbclip/herbclip-news/2019/clove/ [Accessed May 4, 2023]
A Closer Look: Secretory Structures of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants. Located at American Botanical Council (online), https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/53/table-of-contents/article2207/ [Accessed May 4, 2023]
Cortés-Rojas DF, de Souza CR, Oliveira WP. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014 Feb;4(2):90-6. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(14)60215-X. PMID: 25182278; PMCID: PMC3819475.
Cloves: Nutritional facts and health benefits. Located at Medical News Today (online),
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320768#risks-side-effects-and-considerations [Accessed May 4, 2023]
The Effectiveness of Clove (Syzgium aromaticum) as a Topical Anesthetic. Located at American Botanical Council (online), http://herbalgram.org/resources/herbclip/issues/bin_317/review44693/ [Accessed May 4, 2023]
Aromatherapy: Clove. Located at HowStuffWorks (online),
https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-clove.htm [Accessed May 4, 2023]
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