What are the benefits of clove? What is the use of cloves?

Cloves are the nail-like, dried, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and India. The word “clove” comes from the Latin word “clavus” meaning “nail”. Because of their strong scent and intense taste, cloves are often used as a spice in various dishes and drinks. People use their oils, dried flower buds, leaves and stems to make medicine. Cloves are an excellent source of essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, minerals such as manganese and potassium, and vitamin K. Clove extract contains flavonoids, beta carotene, thymol, eugenol, benzene and other organic compounds. The vitamins and minerals in cloves have important medicinal properties and have been a component of digestive function remedies of traditional Chinese medicine. Studies in modern western medicine have also shown that organic compounds in cloves have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial elements (among others) that provide health benefits.

What are the benefits of clove?

Cloves alone have many potential health benefits because they contain large amounts of minerals and vitamins. Benefits of clove It can be transferred as follows;

• Clove helps protect against infections: Eugenol (clove oil), one of the main active ingredients of clove, has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. With this feature, it helps protect you against infections caused by various organisms.
• Clove contributes to the regulation of blood sugar: It may help keep blood sugar under control. Clove extract acts like insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels.
• Clove helps oral care: Cloves are great for oral care due to their antimicrobial properties. The use of eugenol to treat toothaches, jaw pain, and sore gums dates back to the 13th century. Although it is rare for eugenol to cause contact dermatitis, eugenol is used in modern dentistry for its antibacterial, analgesic properties.
• It helps to relax muscles and treat fatigue: Clove essential oil can help relax muscles. It can be used as a massage oil or as a gel applied to tired muscles. It can improve your mood so you can participate in your daily activities.
• Clove helps relieve cough by: The anti-inflammatory properties of cloves can soothe your throat and help get rid of your cough.
• Cloves support intestinal health: Since cloves are rich in fiber and have antioxidant properties, they are great supporters of intestinal health.
• Cloves may support liver health: Cirrhosis is characterized by the presence of scarring and damaged liver cells, potentially leading to liver failure. But studies on antioxidant-rich eugenol show that cloves help protect your liver from free radicals that damage cells and can lead to cirrhosis, potentially reducing your chances of getting liver cancer.
• Cloves may alleviate the effects of aging by: Although free radicals are products of healthy cell metabolism, they are unstable and highly reactive molecules. Their excessive presence leads to healthy cell damage, and free radical theory suggests that free radicals are responsible for age-related tissue damage. Cloves are rich in antioxidants, which are substances that protect your cells from damage by free radicals. Further research shows that eugenol’s antioxidant effects are five times stronger than other antioxidants such as vitamin E. Antioxidants do not prevent spontaneous aging. Instead, evidence suggests that they prevent age-related tissue damage from free radicals. Additional studies are needed to confirm the relationship between antioxidants and their effects in slowing aging.
• Clove relieves pain and stress: Cloves are known for their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Using clove oil in lotion or brewing it in your tea may help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How to Use Clove? How Should It Be Consumed?

Carnations are dried flowers. That’s why it can be found in spice shops, grocery stores and health food stores all year round. Cloves can be added to cakes, bread, smoothies and soup broths. However, consuming cloves in tea form will guarantee the best therapeutic benefits, especially when clove tea is made with cinnamon, lemon or ginger.

Once ground, they can quickly lose their potency. That’s why it’s best to buy whole cloves and store them in an airtight container. If you need ground cloves, you can grind them with a pepper mill or mortar and pestle just before using.

Use of cloves It is often preferred to flavor a sauce or soup, to make a marinade or meat sauce, or to decorate a dessert. You can use cloves in rice dishes and many Indian dishes, stews, and many pickle spice blends.

Ground cloves are often used in desserts and baked goods. Like classic pumpkin pie, gingerbread and other cookies, breads and cakes, especially during cold weather holidays. Cloves are often preferred in hot drinks. It can also be added to cold drinks such as sherbet.

What are the Harms of Clove?

Clove oil can be toxic if swallowed. Children who consume even small amounts of clove oil are at risk of liver damage and seizures. Harms of clove It could be like this:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding: Cloves are probably suitable as a food ingredient because they are small in quantity. However, there is no safety data on clove products and supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you are taking blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder: Eugenol affects blood clotting and stopping bleeding. This can cause serious problems if you use anticoagulants or aspirin (blood thinners) or if you have a bleeding disorder.
• If you are having surgery: Clove may affect blood sugar levels and blood clotting after surgery.
• Hypoglycemia: This is when your blood sugar levels get too low. If you have diabetes, the eugenol in cloves may help lower blood glucose to safe levels. But too much clove can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be harmful.
• Essential oil toxicity: Clove essential oil contains much more eugenol than whole or ground cloves. Ingesting pure clove oil can be toxic and may make you dizzy or cause other symptoms. Rarely, it may lead to coma.