Clove
Clove, having botanical name Syzygium aromaticum is a tropical evergreen tree of about 8 to 12 metres (25 to 40 feet) in height belongs to the family Myrtaceae and its small reddish brown dried flower buds used as a spice.
Chemical Composition –
The buds contain 14 to 20 percent essential oil, the principal component of which is the aromatic oil eugenol a powerful germicide, as well as caryophyllene, which has antimicrobial properties. Cloves are strongly pungent owing to eugenol, which is extracted by distillation to yield oil of cloves.
Cloves are a great source of beta-carotene, which helps give them their rich brown color. The carotene family of pigments are important antioxidants and provitamins. Carotene pigments can convert into vitamin A, an important nutrient for keeping your eyes healthy.
As a spice, clove confers significant nutritional benefits.
According to nutrition data, one teaspoon of ground cloves contains –
• 30% of the RDI of the mineral manganese which is important to bone health
• 4% of the RDI of vitamin K
• 3% of the RDI of vitamin C
• trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E.
It is also a good source of fiber.
1 teaspoon of ground cloves contains:
• 6 kilocalories (kcal)
• 0.13 grams (g) of protein
• 0.27 g total fat
• 1.38 g carbohydrate
• 0.7 g fiber
Properties –
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antibacterial
• Analgesic
Part Used –
Clove is an herb. People use the oils, dried flower buds, leaves, and stems to make medicine from it.
How to use it?
Clove is also available in mouthwashes, gels, creams, and oils. Do not take topical (for the skin) clove by mouth. Topical forms of this product are for use only on the skin.
If you use a product containing clove to prevent premature ejaculation, apply it only to the outer skin of the tip of your penis. People who have used clove for this purpose have applied the product 1 hour before sexual activity, and washed it off just before intercourse.
Clove is a spice commonly used in foods. As with many healthy foods, they’re most effective when included as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Try integrating a few servings of cloves per week into your meals.
You can easily incorporate ground cloves into many dishes. They’ll bring a warm, distinctive flavor to desserts, curries, or chutneys.
You can also simmer whole cloves in boiling water for 5–10 minutes to make a soothing cup of clove tea.
Benefits –
• Oral Health
Clove oil is used as a natural method for maintaining oral health due to its effect on plaque, gingivitis, and bacteria in the mouth. It helps in relieving toothache and also other oral pains from different oral problems.
It has been found that the mouth rinse that contained clove decreased the number of harmful bacteria more than the commercial mouth rinse.
• Diabetes
Cloves may also affect blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, eugenol can lower blood glucose counts to safe levels. However, in excessive amounts, cloves can cause hypoglycemia, where your blood sugar levels are too low.
• Improve liver functioning
Cloves may also promote better liver function. It has been found that cloves can help reduce signs of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. It may also improve general liver function.
• Promotes Bone Health
Low bone mass can lead to the development of osteoporosis, which may increase the risk of breaks and fractures. Cloves are also rich in manganese and can increase bone density and strength.
• Reduce Ulcers
Cloves can help protect your stomach from ulcers. Most ulcers are caused by thinning in the layers of mucus that protect your stomach lining. Cloves can thicken this mucus, lowering your risk of developing ulcers and helping existing ulcers heal.
• Protects Heart
By removing free radicals from your system, the antioxidants found in cloves can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
• Manages Arthritis
Eugenol has been shown to reduce the inflammatory response in the body, reducing the risk of diseases such as arthritis and helping to manage symptoms.
• Premature Ejaculation
Clove has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating premature ejaculation, when it is combined with other ingredients and applied to the outer skin of the penis before sexual intercourse.
Side Effects –
It is generally recommended not to ingest clove oil in large amounts. If swallowed, cloves may cause a burning sensation.Consuming pure clove oil can be toxic and lead to symptoms such as dizziness or even coma.
Applying clove oil to the skin or gums, or using it as a mouthwash, is recommended instead.
It is best to avoid clove products during pregnancy and breastfeeding time.
Eugenol slows blood clotting and can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. It should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders, those scheduled for surgery, and people on anticoagulant medications.
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