CLOVE
(syzygium aromaticum)
Article by Kaniz F. Shah
| Botanical Name: | syzygium aromaticum, eugenia caryophyllata |
| English Name: | Clove |
| Hindi Name: | laung |
| Popular Name(s): | Clove, Laung |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Phylum/Division: | angiosperms |
| Class: | |
| Order: | myrtales |
| Family: | mystaceae (trees and shrubs) |
| Genus: | syzygium |
| Species: | s. aromaticum |
| Parts Used: | buds, stems |
| Habitat: | Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania |
| Planting: | |
| Height: | |
| Taste: | pungent |
| Odor: | spicy, slightly bitter & pungent, woody |
| Effect / Energy: | warming |
| Extraction method: | steam distilled from bud and stem |
| Blends with: | basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, orange, rose, peppermint, rosemary, ylang ylang |
| ph: |
Aromatherapy
Best essential oil for truthful expression
-
Psychological Properties:
calms, relaxes; relieves mild depression, anxiety & stress -
Subtle Properties:
supports calm, truthful expression & communication. Helps calm & balance the emotions -
Associated animal:
Nutrients:
Essential oil is rich in eugenol (has high antiseptic, expectorant and antiviral properties).
Properties:
Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, strong antiseptic, antitumor, immune stimulant, antiparasitic, antiviral, disinfectant, antioxidant, expectorant
Plant Description:
The pungent aromatic cloves originated in the Indonesian Islands and were brought to the eastern countires and Europe through trade. During the 16th century, they were used in the scented pomanders carried by people as a protection against the plague. The name “clove” comes from the French word clou, meaning “nail”.
The clove tree grows to 20m/65 ft in height with a grey bark and dark green shiny leaves. Aromatic green buds appear and if not picked, they turn into dark-red flowers; dried, the buds are the cloves sold commercially as spice. The tree has to be at least 6 years old before the cloves can be harvested. The tree requires tropical conditions – fertile soil, high humidity and hot temperatures.
Health Benefits of Clove:
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Preservative:
Cloves make a natural preservative and are great in cooked apples, stewed fruit, chutneys and syrups. -
Numbing:
Cloves have a numbing effect which is due to their high content of the natural anesthetic eugenol, which also gives them their distinctive smell. This makes them good for mouth ulcers and toothaches. To treat, you can suck on the cloves and dab on some diluted clove essential oil. It is strong so all you'll need is one drop diluted in 10 mL of sunflower oil. The whole clove can also be used. Soften 1 clove by soaking in 60 ml/ 4 tbsp boiling water for 10 minutes, then place them between the teeth to numb toothache. The liquid can be used as a mouthwash to tone the gums. -
Digestive & Respiratory Disorders:
Infuse 5 cloves in 200ml/7 fl oz boiling water for stomach ache, indigestion, gas and nausea, or cold and influenza.
WARNING:
This article is for informational purpose only. Clove oil is not a treatment for any disease or condition. It is a skin irritant and should not be used on mucus membrane or on individuals with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Whole cloves are safe to use medicinally; no more than 5 or 6 per application. To ensure safety, it is best to do an allergy test. Do not use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using for medical purposes.
Bibliography:
- "Single Essential Oils." Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils. 4th ed. Orem: AromaTools, 2012. 58-59.
- Bull, Ruah. "The Spring Months." Daily Aromatherapy Transforming the Seasons of Your Life with Essential Oils. By Joni Keim. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 2008. 124.
- Ody, Penelope. Essential Guide to Natural Home Remedies. London: Kyle Cathie, 2003.
- McVeigh, Sof. Treat Yourself Natural: Over 50 Easy-to-Make Homemade Remedies Gathered from Nature. , 2013. 122.
- Book “Herbal Encyclopedia” by Doctor Hakeem Hari Chand
- THE HERB Bible by JENNIE HARDING