Originally from Indonesia, Clove, known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum, is one of the most popular spices used to add flavour to recipes from all over the world thanks to its intense flavour and its characteristic aroma.
As well as being used as an aromatic herb, cloves are also used for all kinds of natural health remedies and even in perfumes. In this article in our blog, we tell you all about Cloves, it's health benefits and what it is used for.
What is Clove and what is it for?
As we have mentioned, Clove is a spice extracted from the Syzygium aromaticum tree. The flowers of this tree are left to dry in the sun until their aroma intensifies and they acquire a peculiar shape similar to a small Carpenters nail.
There are many uses for Cloves. In the kitchen they are widely used in a large number of food and drink recipes, such as in Chai tea, which gives it a sweeter and more powerful flavour. Clove can also act as a mosquito repellent, an essence for perfumes and as a natural remedy for many ailments thanks to medicinal health benefits of this intriguing Spice.
The Benefits of Clove
One of its most outstanding benefits of Clove is its anti-inflammatory effects, which make it an ideal alternative to help combat certain health issues. Clove can help as a natural pain reliever and contains eugenol, an oil that can help stimulate blood circulation and its effects have been known to prevent blood clotting.
As well as these impressive effects on our health, in terms of its essential oil it has a sweet and intense scent and is widely used in the perfume industry due to its high fixation properties and its ability to combine other scents.
Benefits of Clove
- Relieves pain: Cloves are known to help relieve toothache or other related discomfort, one of the most important medicinal benefits of cloves is its ability to reduce pain, thanks to the analgesic properties of eugenol.
- Reduce inflammation: in addition to relieving pain, Cloves and essential clove oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This has been useful in treating health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis and headaches caused by inflammation and muscle tension.
- Balances and Controls: Clove can balance and control different aspects of our health. For example, it helps blood flow by preventing lotting or lowering sugar levels.
- Other benefits: making an infusion with a few drops of clove oil diluted in a litre of water can be a good remedy to relax. Likewise, you can also spread a drop of oil on your palm to give yourself a massage and enjoy its medicinal benefits.
Contraindications
Among the contraindications of Clove we highlight that it is not recommended among pregnant women. Although some alternative health professionals have used it to stimulate dilation during labour, we recommend it best to speak to a Doctor before using this essential oil during pregnancy.
Cloves can have negative side effects for our health amongst those with certain conditions. For example, if you have liver damage or gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers or irritable bowel, it is best to avoid cloves in your food and diet.
Best perfumes with Clove
VELVET ROSE & OUD BY JO MALONE
With a mixture of sweet aromas among which we find notes of Cloves, Damascus rose, Oud wood and praline, Jo Malone's Velvet Rose & Oud (DIVAIN-579) is a unisex perfume full of passion and maturity. A perfect fragrance for a summer night.
OMNIA OF BULGARI
Soft, delicate and fresh. These are the qualities of Omnia by Bulgari (DIVAIN-525), a fragrance composed of oriental notes such as ginger, cinnamon, saffron, cardamom or cloves. A perfect perfume for a romantic blanket and movie evening during winter.
JUNGLE L'ÉLEPHANT BY KENZO
Belonging to the Oriental Spicy olfactory family, this fragrance for women is a great option if you are looking for an intense and unique aroma. Jungle L'Élephant by Kenzo (DIVAIN-556) has irresistible notes of cloves, cumin and mandarin.