Everything about Cloves !! Benefits of Cloves !! Clove Oil !! What is Pomander…

Cloves are called Lavanga Taila in Sanskrit and Laung in General Indian Language, and its Scientific Name is Syzygium aromaticum. Syzygium aromaticum belongs to the tropical regions which are an evergreen plant. Cloves are flower buds of the plant which is bitter and pungent in taste.

Cloves are used from the very ancient times which is fervently used in every cuisine to add some extra taste and fragrance. Widely used in Asian and American countries. As Ayurveda says, two cloves per day can boost your health because cloves have such high medicinal benefits.

History of Cloves

As per some Historians, the very first user of Cloves was China. China adopted the cloves as a mouth freshener. But the uses and production of Cloves were very limited to create scarcity to create high profit by the Dutch. East India Company. But soon the cultivation started in other countries too.
Till the middle age, some of the European Countries started using cloves in their daily dishes and from there it became very popular among every country. Cloves are from Island Maluku of Indonesia. Currently, it is produced in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zanzibar.

Elements presents in Cloves

Eugenol
Kaempferol
Crategolic acid
Bicorin
Beta-caryophyllene
Vanillin
Rhamnetin
Eugenitin
Campesterol
Oleanilic acid
Calorie
Fiber

Properties of Cloves as per Ayurveda

As per Ayurveda, the best time to consume Cloves are after morning breakfast or in the night after the final dinner.
Cloves are Uttam (BEST) in balancing of Pitta and Kapha.
RASA – TIKT
VIPAK – KATU
VEERYA – SHEETAL

Different Forms of Cloves and their Uses

Cloves come in 3 different forms which we can use the first is dried flower bud which is brown, another in its oil form, and the third one is its powder form. All the forms are used differently for different purposes as it is beneficial in it’s every form. Let’s talk about how the different cloves are made.

How to make Dry Cloves – After harvesting the plant the unopened flowers of clove plants removed from the stems very carefully by hands. The process is to do with very light pressure and care. At the time the clove buds are green and fresh. Then we need to dry them beneath the sunbeam as soon as possible for which we require a cotton or jute mat. After the 4 or 5 days, our happy brown dry clove becomes ready.
How to make Clove Oil at home – The oil which is present in Clove in Eugenol Oil with so many medicinal benefits. The oil is easy to prepare and anyone can make the oil at home. Use 250-gram olive oil as a base oil add 20-30 cloves in it. After 10-15 days your clove oil is ready to use. You can remove the cloves from the oil. This oil is not pure clove oil but consists of a lot of properties of clove oil. Pure oil is unpleasant in taste, and most of the experts believe that pure clove oil is toxic for the body so avoid any kind of direct consumption.
How to make Clove Powder – In southern Asian countries clove powder is widely used as an important ingredient of Garam Masala. In other countries, Clove powder is used as a seasoning. You simply need some cloves and grind them well to make clove powder.

Benefits of Cloves

ORAL INFECTIONS OR TOOTHACHES :

Cloves are best useful in any kind of tooth or gum related problems. Clove oil is used in toothaches because it is rich in Eugenol oil which is a natural anesthetic with strong inflammatory effects. Due to these properties, clove oil is used as a natural pain killer in case of toothaches helps to reduce gum pains or you can chew 1-2 raw clove also. It also treats any kind of sore in the throat. It acts as a cavity fighter when mixed with zinc oxide.
You just need to add 3-4 drops of clove oil in a small cotton-foil and put it in your mouth in the affected area for at least 1 hr. But remember, the taste of clove oil is bitter and unpleasant, so use it carefully and avoid applying it on any infant also avoid any kind of direct consumption of clove oil.

FIGHTS WITH CANCEROUS CELLS :

As we all know the cancerous cells present in everyone’s body that increases the risk of cancer. But if you are taking the 2 cloves per day it will help your body to fight with cancerous cells due to its high antioxidant properties. It provides your body with essential elements that fight with any kind of cancerous cells produced in the body.

IMPROVES DIGESTION AND ULCERS :

Clove is also effective to improve your digestion, and along with digestion issues it also treats soreness of your small intestine which is commonly known as Ulcers. The main reason behind the ulcers is the low secretion of digestive juices in your stomach. So, at the starting state of the ulcer, you can take cloves. Cloves may promote digestive juices in your stomach and can provide you relief from ulcers.

IMMUNITY BOOSTER :

Cloves are a mixture of antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties. Clove is a complete package of health. If you are eating cloves in your daily life it will increase your white blood cells count and boost your body to fight with harmful viruses and bacteria and can provide you other benefits too. You can eat clove directly or can add it to your daily dishes. In every aspect, cloves are just awesome for your health.

FOR HEALTHY SKIN :

Due to its anti-bacterial benefits, it is used to maintain the Ph level of your skin, also effective on the acne marks, dull skin, aging lines. You can use clove water as a toner for your face, just boil 7-10 cloves with 1 glass water. Bowl the water at high temperature for 15-20 minutes. Keep this in a spray bottle apply on your face after it became cool. Regular use may make your skin supple and soft.

COLD AND COUGH :

Studies show that clove has strong anti-viral properties which help the body to fight with viral infections also reduces the high body temperature. Just take 3-4 cloves and burnt them directly on the fire, crush them well, and make the burnt cloves powder. Then mix the clove powder with the spoon of pure honey. The remedy will help you with instant relief.

CLOVES FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES :

I can give the list of the name where cloves are used as a major ingredient in commercial products due to its health beneficial properties. Just check some of the famous toothpaste, face-wash, soaps’ ingredient list you will get the name of cloves. Cloves are used to make some of the good perfumes also. Clove is one of the most demanding spice of commercial business.

Clove Pomander

What is Pomander : (source – Wikipedia)

a ball or perforated container of aromatic substances, placed in a cupboard or room to perfume the air or (formerly) carried as a supposed protection against infection.

a piece of fruit, typically an orange, studded with cloves and hung in a wardrobe to perfume it.

Pomander widely used in western countries. It treated as a holy gift to someone on Christmas. It is famous for its fragrance and unique designs. To make a beautiful Pomander you need a fresh big orange, cloves (as much you required for decoration), a toothpick or sharp stick to make small hole in oranges, some beautiful ribbons.

Make small holes in orange and stud the cloves in the holes. The design of pomander is depends on you. You can add colorful ribbons, stones and can give a creative design to your pomander or you can make candles also.

I hope the article is understandable and helpful for you. So, add some cloves in your daily life for healthy and happy immunity. But in case of any side effects, it is better to see a doctor.

Keep healthy and keep smiling 🙂