Clove is an unripe and dried flower bud of the plant Eugenia caryophyllus.
It is brownish or dark brownish in color and is widely found in the kitchen as a condiment.
Clove buds procured directly from the plant possess a highly aromatic scent and pungent yet agreeable taste.
It is one of the natural herbal remedies and medicinal plants used for ages and also as a condiment in foods.
It is pretty expensive, and those less expensive ones available from the market are exhausted or adulterated (i.e., they have been deprived of their aromatic oils to a large extent).
Major uses of Clove
1. Mouthwash or Oral deodorant
Chewing a clove bud after meals or when required removes a foul odor from the mouth and gives a pleasant aroma.
Hence, it is a natural oral deodorant. It can be used instead of synthetic and expensive mouth deodorant in times of need.
Further, its antiseptic nature kills any germs in the mouth after meals. This helps clean the mouth.
So, it is one of the condiments recommended to be chewed after a meal.
2. Dental analgesic
Clove essential oil is one of the natural remedies for treating tooth pain.
In a severe toothache, one can either
- Apply clove essential oil near the gum of the painful tooth or
- Chew a clove or putting one near the tooth with pain is advised to reduce pain.
This is due to its action on nerves, limiting pain conduction like a local anesthetic.
3. Antiseptic
Clove oil is an excellent antiseptic due to its chemical eugenol content.
This eugenol has a structure similar to phenol, which is anti-microbial, and hence it can kill microbes.
It can relieve a sore throat, cough, mouth ulcers, and headaches.
However, I would advise using natural antiseptics for wound healing.
4. Carminative and digestive aid
Any gaseous accumulation during meals can be relieved by the consumption of cloves, as they help remove accumulated gas by belching.
Perhaps this action is due to its stimulating effect on the gut walls.
5. Stimulant
Clove oil is a natural stimulant. Pure clove oil is so harsh that nerves may be unable to tolerate the stress induced by the irritation effect of clove oil on them.
Hence, if consumed, it makes one alert or less soothing due to the stimulating effect on the tongue or the buccal cavity.
6. Expectorant
It has stimulating and irritating effects on the mucous layer and can also help in phlegm expulsion (expectorant) from the respiratory tract.
7. Male fertility
A scientific study of clove on male fertility showed that at lower doses, it enhanced fertility, while at higher doses, it caused adverse effects.
Clove oil
Clove’s benefits are due to its essential oil. This oil is called Eugenol and has a high percentage of phenol and other constituents.
The presence of phenol may be responsible for its antiseptic and anti-irritant properties.
Hence, it is suitable for sore throat, nasal inflammation due to cold, etc.
Due to properties like antiseptic and aromatic odor, clove oil is used in toothpaste preparations, mouthwashes, gargles, soaps, etc.
It is also used in medical preparations to mask other drugs’ bitter taste or pungent odors. Oil can even be used in perfumes.
Clove oil benefits are also promising in the mitigation of stress and inflammatory bowel disorders.
References:
- Antibacterial activity and mechanism of clove essential oil against foodborne pathogens
- Microbicide activity of clove essential oil
- Eugenol reduces serum testosterone levels and sperm viability
- Anti-stress activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of clove