The Health Benefits of Cloves

The clove (Eugenia aromatica) is a pink flower bud of the clove tree that turns brown when dried.

Cloves have a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavor and an oily compound that is vital to their medicinal and nutritional properties.

Cloves are indigenous to the Moluccas volcanic islands of Indonesia previously known as the Spice Islands.

Today Zanzibar is the largest producer of clove and are also grown commercially in the West Indies, Brazil, Pemba, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and India.

Health Benefits of Cloves

Nutrients in Cloves

Cloves (Eugenia aromatica) are an excellent source of manganese. They are a very good source of vitamin C, K, and dietary fiber. They are a good source of calcium and magnesium.

A comprehensive breakdown of protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin and mineral content presented in an easy to read pie chart can be found in our Nutrition Database where this food can also be added to a meal planner.

Anti Fungal

The Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fragrant, red-coloured, ground-dwelling fruit. Their history dates back over 2,000 years with records showing a variety of

The Role of Hibiscus Tea in Reducing High Blood Pressure

Hibiscus tea is made from the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower, which has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic and for the treatment of several

The Health Benefits of Mangoes

Brief

Astragalus for High Blood Pressure, Hepatitis, Insomnia and Diabetes

Native to China, astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. In the United States, the herb gained popularity in the

The Health Benefits of Quinoa

Brief History of Quinoa Nutrients in Quinoa Quinoa for Celiac Disease Quinoa for Weight Loss Quinoa for Malnutrition

Eugenol is a chemical compound extracted from the essential oil of cloves and other spices. Eugenol has been shown to be an effective natural anti fungal against the T. mentagrophytes and M. canis dermatophytes (tinia or ringworm), and although tea tree oil is a more effective anti fungal, a combination of tea tree oil and eugenol was found to be more effective. Tests have also demonstrated that essential oil of cloves to be effective against Candida albicans.

Anasthetic

Eugenol is the principal chemical component of clove oil and is used in dentistry due to its analgesic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It is used in the form of a paste or mixture as dental cement, filler, and restorative material.

Beta-caryophyllene, another component of clove oil, has also been shown to exhibit local anesthetic activity.

Cloves can be used in relieving a toothache by placing a single clove on the aching tooth. Clove oil can also be used by soaking in some cotton wool and then placing the cotton wool on the aching tooth.

Aphrodisiac

Extract of clove has been shown to enhance the sexual behavior of male mice. The results of the study resulted in a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any adverse effects. The results seem to support the claims for its traditional usage as an aphrodisiac.

Mosquito Repellant

The natural oil of clove is a natural mosquito repellant and can give protection against mosquitoes for 4-5 hours.

Cancer Prevention

Preliminary studies have suggested the chemopreventive potential of clove for lung cancer, and to delay and reduce the formation of skin cancer.

Cardiovascular

The compound eugenol from cloves has been found to be a potent platelet inhibitor (prevents blood clots).

1. Allergic reactions to clove and eugenol have been reported.
2. Clove supplements should be avoided in children and pregnant or nursing women.References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
4. Ghelardini C, Galeotti N, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Mazzanti G, Bartolini A. Local anaesthetic activity of beta-caryophyllene. Farmaco. 2001 May-Jul;56(5-7):387-9. PMID: 11482764.
5. Park MJ, Gwak KS, Yang I, Choi WS, Jo HJ, Chang JW, Jeung EB, Choi IG. Antifungal activities of the essential oils in Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. Et Perry and Leptospermum petersonii Bailey and their constituents against various dermatophytes. J Microbiol. 2007 Oct;45(5):460-5. PMID: 17978807.
6. Fu Y, Zu Y, Chen L, Shi X, Wang Z, Sun S, Efferth T. Antimicrobial activity of clove and rosemary essential oils alone and in combination. Phytother Res. 2007 Oct;21(10):989-94. PMID: 17562569.
7. Trongtokit Y, Curtis CF, Rongsriyam Y. Efficacy of repellent products against caged and free flying Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2005 Nov;36(6):1423-31. PMID: 16610644.
8. Banerjee S, Panda CK, Das S. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), a potential chemopreventive agent for lung cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2006 8. Aug;27(8):1645-54. Epub 2006 Feb 25. PMID: 16501250.
10. Banerjee S, Das S. Anticarcinogenic effects of an aqueous infusion of cloves on skin carcinogenesis. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2005 Jul-Sep;6(3):304-8. PMID: 16235990.
11. Tajuddin , Ahmad S, Latif A, Qasmi IA. Aphrodisiac activity of 50% ethanolic extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) in male mice: a comparative study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2003 Oct 20;3:6. PMID: 14567759.
12. Tajuddin , Ahmad S, Latif A, Qasmi IA. Effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) on sexual behaviour of normal male rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 Nov 5;4:17. PMID: 15530165.
13. Srivastava KC, Malhotra N. Acetyl eugenol, a component of oil of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L.) inhibits aggregation and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood platelets. Acetyl eugenol, a component of oil of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L.) inhibits aggregation and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood platelets. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1991 Jan;42(1):73-81. PMID: 2011614.
14. Jadhav BK, Khandelwal KR, Ketkar AR, Pisal SS. Formulation and evaluation of mucoadhesive tablets containing eugenol for the treatment of periodontal diseases. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2004 Feb;30(2):195-203. PMID: 15089054.
15. Image by rawallison.