Cloves: Properties, Benefits, And Uses

Cloves have anesthetic and analgesic properties. They counteract free radicals that cause cellular aging by helping the body stay young. They are also rich in taste and nourishment. They help digest. They are considered anti-inflammatory, and infusions of this spice can tackle mycosis of the skin. They have an aphrodisiac power. Cloves, very versatile and easy to use in the kitchen, as we will see, have properties and benefits that should not be underestimated.

Properties And Benefits Of Cloves

Don’t be fooled by the name – cloves are pretty different from the carnation we grew in the garden. We are talking about the still closed dried buds of Eugenia Caryophyllata, a tree native to Indonesia and today cultivated throughout the tropical belt. They are called so both for their shape (which resembles that of a nail) and because the apical part vaguely resembles the flower of the carnation plant.

What Are The Cloves

Cloves contain flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, and volatile compounds, including eugenol, the component responsible for the analgesic power of this spice. In the Middle Ages, they were one of the most coveted goods to remedy almost all ills. Among other things, they help remove butterflies from our pantries.

ALSO READ: HEALTHY EATING: WHAT IT IS, BENEFITS AND TIPS

Benefits 

Although with less miraculous enthusiasm, the beneficial properties of cloves have mainly been confirmed by modern science. So what are the real benefits of using cloves? Let’s see them together:

1. Anti-Inflammatory: Cloves can be used to soothe any inflammation that affects the mouth, such as gingivitis, canker sores, herpes simplex, stomatitis, and sore throats. In all these cases, they are effective if kept in the mouth and sucked like candy or by using the infusion or a few drops of essential oil as a mouthwash.
2. Digestive: Taken in the form of an infusion, they are considered an excellent digestive. They help the stomach work and are indicated for expelling excess intestinal gas.
3. Halitosis: If you are on a date, try chewing on a clove. It is also very effective when we have eaten garlic.
4. Antioxidant: Another benefit is that they are 80 times more antioxidants than apples. Therefore the consumption of these buds contributes to the contrast of cellular aging.
5. Toothache: Clove essential oil is a popular natural remedy used to treat toothache. Alternatively, apply a single clove next to the aching tooth and wait a few minutes.
6. Headache: Chewing cloves, or drinking the infusion, is a great way to soothe a headache, prevent and fight memory lapses, and overcome mental fatigue.
7. Aphrodisiac:  Their aphrodisiac power is also confirmed. They can also make any dish they go to flavor an aphrodisiac.
8. Antimicrobial: The infusions of this spice are used to fight mycosis of the skin, often combined with thyme and coriander.
9. To Store Food: Cloves counteract the oxidation process of lipids, making it possible for foods to retain their fresh character for longer.
10. Nausea: Clove infusion relieves nausea, indigestion, and intestinal disorders.

Cloves In The Kitchen

In the most critical moments of nausea and vomiting,  cloves can be consumed plain or in the form of herbal tea. Preparing it is easy. Let’s see together what is needed and the preparation.

Ingredients

1. 3-4 cloves
2. One glass of water

Method

1. We fill a saucepan with water. We also add the cloves and bring them to a boil.
2. As soon as it boils, we cover it with a lid and turn off the gas.
3. We leave it for 10 minutes until our herbal tea is lukewarm.

At this point, we have to drink our infusion before or after meals. In a short time, the symptoms will disappear.

Nutritional Values Of Cloves

What are the nutritional values ​​of cloves? One hundred grams of this spice contain:

1. Calories 274
2. Sugars 2.38 grams
3. Fat 13 grams
4. Dietary fiber 33.9 grams
5. Sodium 277 milligrams
6. Protein 5.97 grams
7. Carbohydrates 65.53 grams

Contraindications Of Cloves

Among the essential qualities of cloves is that they do not have any absolute contraindications if they are used correctly (and this also applies to oil). If the product is very concentrated, it could cause irritation and mycosis, while only people who are very sensitive to this type of spices could cause contact dermatitis.

ALSO READ: TIPS FOR CONSUMING ALMONDS