Cloves offer many health benefits, including support for digestion, cancer fighting, liver protection, immune system stimulation, diabetes control, and preservation of bone quality. They have anti-mutagenic and antimicrobial properties, capable of combating oral ailments and headaches, while also presenting aphrodisiac properties.
Cloves are a native spice from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. They form a culinary base in a variety of Asian cuisines. In China, courtesans used to chew cloves to perfume their breath whenever they needed to address the emperor.
In Egypt, during the time of the pharaohs, cloves were used by priests to embalm the bodies of those who passed into the afterlife. It was known exactly how many cloves were needed to mummify the bodies of pharaohs, depending on their weight.
They contain fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, folic acid, vitamins C, B6, B12, A, E, D, and K.
Cloves improve digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. Cloves are good for reducing flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, and nausea. They can be consumed with honey to alleviate digestive disturbances.
Cloves have been tested for their antibacterial properties against a number of pathogens. Clove extracts have been strong enough to kill these pathogens.
Cloves are of interest to the medical community due to their chemopreventive or anti-cancer properties. Tests have shown that they are useful in controlling early-stage lung cancer.
Cloves have a tonic effect on the heart, anti-migraine properties, and a stomachic effect (promoting digestion). They reduce thick mucus in the brain, stimulate saliva secretion, and are very suitable in cases of weakness and fatigue, dental problems, hyperacidity, vertigo, and malignant diseases.
Cloves contain large amounts of antioxidants, which are ideal for protecting organs from the effects of free radicals, especially on the liver.
They are also used as a traditional remedy for the prevention and control of diabetes. In people suffering from diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the body is insufficient. Studies have shown that clove extracts mimic insulin in certain ways and help control blood sugar levels.
Clove extracts have been particularly useful for preserving bone density and mineral content, as well as increasing resistance in cases of osteoporosis.
Mutagens are those chemical substances that can alter DNA. The biochemical compounds found in cloves possess anti-mutagenic properties.
Cloves are capable of boosting the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells.
They have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that they reduce inflammation and associated pain.
They can also be consumed for gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. They significantly control the growth of oral pathogens responsible for various oral diseases. They are also used for toothaches or headaches.
Clove Infusion: In a cup of hot water, add 3-4 crushed cloves. Let the mixture steep for ten minutes. We can add honey to taste.
Attention! Cloves and clove essential oil are contraindicated for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, small children, individuals with blood clotting issues (as cloves thin the blood), and those with sensitive skin. Clove oil should not be used externally unless diluted in another oil, as it can cause burns and should not be used for more than a week.
