What is Clove?
Cloves are a flower bud foraged from the clove tree. Their name is derived from the word Clavus, meaning nail. This helps us to identify the herb since the shape of a dried clove has the look of a nail. Clove is beneficial in the form of an essential oil as well as a dried herb.
Benefits
Full of antioxidants and disease/cancer fighting properties, clove makes for a fantastic immune system booster. There are also excellent anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a great choice for pain management. By thickening the mucus protecting the stomach lining, clove can help prevent and heal ulcers. Clove is often used in diabetic management as it lowers blood sugar. Personally, my most common use for clove has been as a crucial component in a toothache salve. Due to its rich amount of benefits, clove is the key ingredient in my salve. Additionally, clove has been shown to benefit bone health, oral health, liver function, as well as skin health
Best way to use
1. Clove can be used in several ways, such as sprinkling its cinnamon-like, spicy grains onto your food, brewing a warm, fragrant tea, soothing your skin with a rejuvenating, herbal salve, or filling the air with its stimulating scent by diffusing the essential oil.
2. As a cleaning agent, clove is quite unique compared to other cleaning agents. Its natural antiseptic and antimicrobial properties make it effective at killing bacteria and mold. Being free of harsh chemical cleaners, clove oil is a natural product that doesn't contain harmful chemicals to your health or the environment. Additionally, its strong aroma can help to mask unpleasant odors, making your space smell clean and fresh.
Best places to find clove
Unless you live near Indonesia, clove is not likely to be foraged. Therefore, this would be a great choice to stock up on while it’s accessible at the grocery store or online. Clove is a very common spice sold at most grocery stores. This is one I highly recommend acquiring in essential oil form as well. Even though the potency is much more intense, using the essential oil form of clove makes it easier to control the amount of substance going into a given recipe. Nearly every essential oil company has clove as a reasonably priced product.
Recipes
1. Tea: Bring water to a boil. Add cloves. Let steep for 3-4 minutes. Add honey, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cream and any other flavors to taste.
2. Cleaning agent: Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle. and add a few handfuls of cloves (or 1/4 teaspoon of clove oil per liter) . Then fill up with water and shake well.
3. Toothache Salve: Crush a few cloves with equal parts cayenne pepper powder, add a few drops of water to create a paste, and apply to the aching tooth with a cotton swab. A burning sensation may occur for a few minutes. Or… Mix 3 to 5 drops of clove essential oil with 1 teaspoon of a neutral carrier oil (olive, canola, grapeseed, or sweet almond oil). Apply the mixture to the affected gums with a cotton ball.
Warnings and Side Effects:
1. May cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, or an allergic reaction on the skin.
2. Flammable and could be fatal if it is swallowed and goes into the airway.
3. Dangerous for Children -
Cloves oil contains a highly concentrated form eugenol. Therefore, clove oil should not be taken orally by itself; especially for children. It can be toxic.
4. It May Interfere With Certain Medications
The eugenol in cloves can slow blood clotting. People who use blood thinners or have bleeding disorders should avoid clove. Cloves can also interact with diabetes and blood sugar medications.
5. It Can Have Toxic Effects on Your Liver
The compound eugenol can harm your liver when taken in high amounts. Clove oil is toxic in high amounts, (which is about 2 to 6 teaspoons)
6. It Has Not Proven to Be Safe for People Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Sources:
Metropulos, Megan MS, RDN. Medical News Today, Cloves: Nutritional facts and health benefits. June 26, 2023 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320768
Lefton, Jennifer MS, RD/N, CNSC, FAND. Very Well Health, Health Benefits of Cloves. May 07, 2024
Ningthoujam, Natalia (Nutrition, Mental Health, Skin & Hair, Gynecology, Fitness, Internal Medicine). Health Shots, Clove oil: Why and how to use this essential oil to fight acne and dark spots, March 12, 2024 https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/natural-cures/clove-oil-for-skin/
Buchter, Isabella. SIGNOS, 5 Health Benefits of Cloves. July 31, 2024. https://www.signos.com/blog/clove-benefits#:~:text=Oral%20Health.%20One%20of%20the%20most%20popular,ability%20to%20numb%20pain%20in%20the%20mouth
Binu, Sowmya MSc., M.phil Food And Nutrition. Netmeds, 7 Amazing Benefits Of Cloves. January 23, 2022. https://m.netmeds.com/health-library/post/7-amazing-benefits-of-cloves#:~:text=Boosts%20Immune%20System.%20The%20amazing%20ingredient%2C%20eugenol,against%20diseases%20by%20stimulating%20white%20blood%20cells
Booth, Stephanie. WebMD. Clove: Health Benefits. October 22, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cloves
About Me:
Hello, my name is Shannon. I joined FireKeepers International as a volunteer in 2023. In
2014, I began the Master Herbalist program at Trinity School of Natural Health and
completed the program in September of 2017. Since then, my main studies have been
Biblical truths, astronomy and the Hebrew language. I am a born and raised
“Michigander,” currently living in one of Northern Michigan’s beautiful national forests.
When I’m not keeping busy with the homestead, you can find me out in nature or
hibernating in my cabin.
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