What is a clove?
Clove is one of the important spices, used to enhance the flavor of dishes, cookies, cakes, and beverages. Besides, enriching flavor, it has great benefits and medicinal uses viz. digestion, oral health, diabetes, liver health, bone health, etc. It is native to Maluki Islands, Indonesia. But, now found throughout the world. In the manufacturing world, it is used as toothpaste, soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and cigarettes.
Nutritional facts of cloves
It has some important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other macro & micronutrients. It is enriched with Eugenol, a brilliant phytochemical. Two grams of clove has the following nutritional value.
- Calories:21
- Carbs: 1 gm
- Fiber:1 gm
- Manganese: 30%
- Vitamin K: 4%
- Vitamin C : 3%
- The other biochemical substances present in cloves are beta-caryophyllene, vanillin, categoric acid, tannins, methyl salicylate, flavonoids, oleanolic acid, stigmasterol, and campesterol.
Cloves description
Clove is a dried bud that comes under the family Myrtaceae. It is a herb, known for its medicinal & traditional uses. It has many health benefits. Almost entire parts of the plant are used for one or other purposes.
Potential health benefits of cloves
- Full of antioxidants: This ayurvedic medicinal spice is full of antioxidants. Because of these bio-chemical substances, it combats oxidative stress thereby beneficial in the treatment of many diseases. Some of the important antioxidants in clove are eugenol, vitamin E, vitamin C, etc.
- Cancer protection: Many researches have confirmed that cloves have anti-cancerous properties and effective against esophageal cancer and cervical cancer. Cloves extract, clove oil, and eugenol have anti-cancerous properties.
- Toothache: It’s a panacea for toothache. It is also beneficial for gum diseases and overall oral health. Mouthwash with ground cloves help to ward off germs, plaque formation, and preventing the growth of microorganism. It may be taken in case of dental pain and other dental related issues.
- Anti-bacterial: Cloves have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties thus give relief from cramps and diarrhea.
- Anti-inflammatory: It has anti-inflammatory properties thus prevents many conditions in the body including edema.
- Liver health: The moderate use of clove is good for the overall health of the liver. It reduces liver inflammation and acts against oxidative stress. However, liver patients should take cloves only after consultation with an ayurvedic physicians.
- Blood sugar: The use of clove extract and nigericin substance of clove ensure in regulation of blood sugar levels, thus beneficial in case of diabetes.
- Bone health: The presence of eugenol in cloves helps to preserve bone mass, increase bone density, bone strength, and beneficial in case of osteoporosis. Cloves also contain manganese that plays an important role in bone health.
- Stomach ulcer: Its use is good for the stomach and duodenum as it facilitates the production of gastric juices
- Anti-mutagenic properties: It prevents changes in genetic makeup due to the presence of phenylpropanoids. Thus it acts as an anti-mutagenic.
- Enhances immunity: the dried flowers of cloves are helpful to increase the count of white blood cells.
- Aphrodisiac: Recent research has shown that cloves have aphrodisiac properties and it has been verified by Unani medicine for a long time.
- Cure headache: When the mix of cloves and rock salt is taken along with milk, ensures headache relief.
- Obesity: The use of cloves under observation helps to delay fat accumulation in the body.
- Acne prevention: Because of its eugenol content, it acts against pimples, acne, and wrinkles.
Uses of cloves
It is used as whole and ground forms. And an integral component for various dishes.
- As cuisine
- Curries
- Marinades
- Hot beverages for aroma
- Vanilla
- Red wine
- Cigarette
- Ant repellent
- Fragrance
- Aromatherapy
- Treating of hiccup
- Kidney health
- Aphrodisiac properties
- Heals minor cuts
- Relieve congestion
- Flatulence
Medicinal uses of cloves
- An effective medicine for toothache
- Also used as an analgesic
- To control fever
- Mosquito repellant
- Sexual problems like premature ejaculation
- Lowering blood sugar
Side effects of cloves
It shouldn’t be taken in case of the following conditions
- Excess use of clove may cause liver damage
- Blood clotting
- Immune system diseases
- Food allergies
- Should be avoided by kids
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