Cloves are small, dry, aromatic perennial plants that belong to the family Proteaceae and genus Syzygium. The spice cloves come from the dried flower buds of the clove tree and are used as a flavoring for food and as a medicine. In addition to culinary and medicinal uses, cloves have also been used in funeral rites. Currently, clove use is decreasing due to over-harvesting for both commercial and medical purposes.
The health benefits of cloves include treating colds, coughs, sore throats, aches and pains; regulating blood pressure; regulating heartbeat; preventing inflammation; improving digestion; promoting sleep; treating diabetes; promoting weight loss; and reducing cholesterol levels. In ancient Egypt, cloves were used as an antiseptic to treat wounds and ulcers. In addition to being used as a spice, cloves also have numerous health benefits that extend to the mind and body: mental and physical.
Clove oil is used to treat acne and other skin problems. Cloves are rich in eugenol, the main active ingredient in clove oil. Eugenol acts by causing blood vessels under the skin to dilate, resulting in a warm sensation at the site of application due to increased blood flow. This increase in blood flow causes pimples to drain more quickly. Furthermore, clove oil has antimicrobial properties that help treat acne. Due here is an excellent article on how clove oil treats acne: https://www2.muhavlana.net/2018/08/clove-oils-properties-and-uses-in-medicine/. Cloves also have numerous health benefits that extend to the mind and body: mental and physical.
Cloves are beneficial spices that have numerous medical applications such as treating colds, coughs, sore throats, aches and pains as well as regulating blood pressure and digestion among other things. Over time due to overharvesting for medicinal purposes—as well as their bitter taste—the population of wild clove trees has decreased significantly compared with time past when they were more plentiful. However, this does not mean that cloves should be eliminated from our diet or medicine cabinet since they still provide much needed health benefits!
