Cloves
Item Description
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. Cloves are native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisines all over the world. Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar,Zanzibar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They have a numbing effect on mouth tissues.
The clove tree is an evergreen that grows to a height ranging from 8â , having large leaves and sanguine flowers in numerous groups of terminal clusters. The flower buds are at first of a pale color and gradually become green, after which they develop into a bright red, when they are ready for collecting. Cloves are harvested when 1.5࣠long, and consist of a long calyx, terminating in four spreadingsepals, and four unopened petals which form a small ball in the center.
Health Benefits of Clove
Clove is a natural antiviral, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal agent. It also holds aphrodisiac and circulation-stimulating capacities. The oil of cloves has been used in a variety of health conditions including indigestion, generalized stress, parasitic infestations, cough, toothaches, headache, and blood impurities. In fact, the expert panel German Commission recently approved the use of its essential oil as a topical antiseptic and anaesthetic.
Clove may play a therapeutic role in the following conditions:
- >> Powerful germicidal properties
Clove is used extensively in dental care for relieving toothache, sore gums and oral ulcers. Gargling with clove oil can also aid in soar throat conditions and bad breath.
- >> Anti-bacterial:
An effective aid for food poisoning, clove oil effectively kills many forms of bacterial infections from contaminated foods.
- >> Antiseptic
Clove oil can be used to reduce infections, wounds, insect bites and stings.
- >> Anti-fungal
Clove is also effective in reducing fungal infections such as athlete's foot.
- >> Skin
Excellent aid for skin disorders, such as acne.
- >> General stress reliever
Clove oil stimulates the circulatory system, clearing the mind and reducing mental exhaustion and fatigue. It has also been used to aid insomnia, memory loss, anxiety and depression.
- >> Anti-inflammatory
Clove oil clears the respiratory passages, acting as an expectorant for treating many upper-respiratory conditions including colds, eye styes, bronchitis, sinus conditions, cough and asthma.
- >> Blood Purifier
Not only purifies the blood, but also aids in stabilizing blood sugar levels, and may have benefits for diabetic individuals.
- >> General Immune System Booster
Clove's antiviral and cleansing properties purify the body, augmenting our resistance to disease.
- >> Premature Ejaculation
Some research has shown that clove may be useful as a aid for premature ejaculation.
- >> Indigestion
Clove oil offers a powerful action against gas and bloating. It reduces gas pressure in the stomach, aiding in the proper elimination of food and toxins. It also relieves the discomfort of peptic ulcers. Effective for stomach related conditions including nausea, hiccups, motion sickness and vomiting.
- >> Cancer Prevention
Preliminary studies suggest that clove oil may play a chemopreventative role, particularly in cases of lung, skin and digestive cancers.
- >> Cardiovascular Health
The active essential oil in clove, eugenol, has been shown to act as a an effective platelet inhibitor, preventing blood clots.
- >> Prevention from toxic exposure
Studies show that clove oil can prevent toxicity related to exposure to environmental pollution.
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