Medicinal Spice Cloves
Cloves
11 Health Benefits of Cloves
What are Cloves?
Health Benefits of Clove
Cloves have proven medicinal benefits along with an abundance of a few essential nutrients. They are a good source of pigment beta carotene which is also responsible for its brown color. Beta carotenes have antioxidant and provitamin properties. It converts into Vitamin A which is a necessary nutrient for the eyes and overall well-being.
There are many health benefits of clove:
1. A Good Antioxidant
Cloves are a powerful antioxidant that aids in the treatment of a variety of chronic health conditions. Antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress and inhibits chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Clove is rich in eugenol, a natural antioxidant, that fights 5 times more against free radicals than any other antioxidant. It stops cell damage thus preventing the development of multiple diseases.
The inclusion of cloves in your diet with other antioxidant-rich foods can improve your health.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of cloves are the result of two important and powerful phytonutrients, eugenol and isoeugenol. These phytonutrients reduce inflammation in the body and prevent the development of some conditions like arthritis or chronic conditions.
3. Anti-Cancer Properties
Cloves are anti-cancer in properties because of eugenol. Some test-tube observations explain that eugenol has the capability of killing cancer cells and it can also hinder tumor growth majorly in cervical and esophagus cancer. For these tests, cloves were used in concentrated amounts.
There is a need for thorough and further research about cloves to explain their anti-cancer properties. Eugenol is toxic in excess amounts that can impact health, especially liver health significantly.
4. Anti-Diabetic
Cloves are also known for their anti-diabetic property. It is considered to control your blood sugar levels because of the presence of nigericin compounds. It helps in reducing insulin resistance and can promote moderate sugar levels.
Insulin is the hormone that manages blood sugar levels in the body by carrying it from the blood to the cells. Cloves help to improve the functions of insulin-producing cells and manage their levels. Some studies show its impact on test tubes and animal research. Although more studies are needed.
5. Anti-Microbial Properties
Cloves have antimicrobial agents that reduce the development of bacteria-like microorganisms. It can act against bacteria and fungi like E. Coli., vaginal candidiasis, and staph aureus. Clove extracts and clove oil helps in fighting against food poisoning and stomach infections.
This spice is popular to strengthen oral health. It fights against resting mouth bacteria and improves oral hygiene by reducing bad breath and gum infections. It is used in mouthwash and toothpaste to reduce oral bacteria and plaque on teeth.
6. Suitable For The Liver
According to some studies, cloves help to improve liver health. The compound eugenol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in properties that promote liver health. It reduces the risk of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver condition. It helps to strengthen liver health by decreasing oxidative stress. Some studies show that clove can help decrease the levels of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) responsible for liver diseases.
Although cloves can be identified as a good source for liver health, there is still a need for more human studies.
On the other hand, excess consumption of cloves can damage the liver because of eugenol toxicity.
7. Helps In Reducing Ulcers
8. Natural Painkiller And Anti-Cough Properties
As a traditional medicine, clove is used in treating cough, sore throat, and toothache. It is a very common home remedy that is used with hot beverages for treating cough. Clove oil is also an effective painkiller that is used to treat toothache for centuries.
9. Good For Bone Health
A large population is at risk of low bone density, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Cloves are rich in manganese which is important for bone health. Also, eugenol in clove helps to increase bone density and strength. These benefits of clove eventually prevent conditions like osteoporosis, fractures, and breaks because of low bone mass. Although these studies are limited to animals, there is much room for human research and clove’s impact on human bone health. However, a small amount of clove powder fulfills almost 30% of the daily required manganese in the body.
10. Clove Benefits For Men
Cloves are very beneficial for men and impact men’s reproductive health. It is very useful in increasing men’s health in multiple ways, they are:
It increases testosterone levels, improves sex lice, increases sperm count, removes infertility, increases libido, reduces the condition of early ejaculation, and strengthens reproductive organs.
Apart from these, using clove essential oil in bathing can also reduce the craving for smoking thus letting you free from smoking addiction.
11. Apart From These Benefits, Cloves Also Have Other Benefits Like
To treat cold, flu, cough, and congested chest. Any hot beverage mixed with clove and cinnamon can help in lowering the symptoms of these conditions.
It is also good for the skin. Cloves can detoxify skin and reduce acne, blemishes, and dark circles. It is used in many herbal face packs for better results and glowing skin.
Way to Consume Clove
This is an omnipresent spice or herb that can be used year-long in food, medicines, and cosmetics. These dried flowers not only have a distinct aroma but flavor as well. You can consume it in many ways including as a whole bud, with beverages, and in many dishes.
You can use it in multiple ways:
Clove Tea
- Clove tea is the easiest recipe to enjoy the benefits of cloves. To make clove tea:
- Use a tablespoon of grounded clove
- Boil it for some minutes
- Strain it and drink it as an effective clove tea.
- Clove Water: Clove water is also a great way of consuming this magical spice. In a glass of water, put 3-5 clove buds and leave them overnight. Drink it in the morning to see amazing results.
- Apart from clove tea and clove water, you can also mix this dried flower in many dishes for flavor and taste:
Use In Curries And Chutneys
Add in pickles
Masala Milk Tea with Clove
Add in Baking, Cookies, and Bread
Used to season meat
It can also be used as a natural preservative
Side-Effects of Clove
Cloves have many health benefits but they also can affect health negatively and can cause a few side effects. These strong spices can lower blood sugar and can cause hypoglycemia where a person can feel dizziness and nausea. Its compound eugenol can also react with some blood-thinning medicines and increases the chances of side effects. However small amounts of clove can have more positive results than negatives but always pay attention while consuming it in excess. Eugenol in excess amounts can be toxic and can cause dizziness.
According to the traditional medicine system, cloves are a hot spice that can cause nosebleeds, mouth ulcers, stomach burning or irritation, and throat rashes if consumed in excess.
Also, some people are allergic to cloves so they should avoid them.