Cloves are a versatile spice with a peculiar flavor used in the kitchen, especially in the Indian cuisine, and as a medicine. Among the rest, cloves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which makes them extremely healthy if included in your diet, but not excessively.
They are the lower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen also known as Syzygium aromaticum.
Cloves can be found in a variety of dishes, from sabzis and dals to even desserts, adding a spicy flavour and an aroma that elevates the dish to the next level.
Nowadays, they are mostly grown in India and Madagascar but are used in countries all around the world.
Besides being used as a spice, cloves are the source of clove oil, a concentrated essential oil high in volatile compounds and antioxidants.
When it comes to the health benefits this spice provides, they are many. From supporting the immune function, fighting infections, helping stabilize blood sugar levels, providing pain relief, and promoting digestive health to relieving itchy skin and fighting obesity, cloves are a powerhouse of healing properties.
Ease Dental Pain and Prevent Gum Disease
Eugenol, found in cloves, has strong antibacterial effects that can fight plaque, cavities, and gum disease. Clove oil or clove-based rinses may ease toothaches and gum inflammation. Of course, it is not a permanent solution, but a temporary pain relief, so always check with a dentist if your pain proceeds.
May Help Lower Blood Sugar
Cloves have been linked to better blood sugar control, possibly by enhancing insulin response. While adding them to meals is safe, they shouldn’t replace your prescribed treatments.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Cloves may help relax blood vessels and ease blood pressure, while also fighting inflammation. Adding them to food or even using clove oil in aromatherapy could support heart health.
Relieve Itchy Skin
Traditionally, clove oil’s been used to ease itching and irritation. Just mix it with coconut or olive oil before applying, and test a small spot first. If you’ve got sensitive skin, check with your doctor to be safe.
Improve Breathing
Got stubborn mucus after a cold? Breathing in steam with cloves might help open airways and soothe your throat. Add a few cloves to hot water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale gently. Be careful, it should be warm, not scalding.
Cloves for Weight Loss?
If you are trying to lose weight, cloves might give your metabolism a gentle boost and support the process. This is thanks to the compounds like eugenol that cloves have. Of course, consuming cloves alone doesn’t do all the work, you should as well have regular sleep, balanced diet, and exercise.
Despite the benefits they offer, overusing cloves can provide more harm than good, so make sure you avoid the common mistakes people make with this spice.
Storing Cloves Improperly
When exposed to heat, moisture, or light, cloves lose their properties. That is why it is crucial to store them the right way in order to keep their qualities. With that said, they should be stored in airtight dark glass or ceramic containers, kept in a cool, dry place like a pantry.
Overusing them
While cloves offer numerous health benefits, consuming too much can backfire. One or two cloves daily is a reasonable amount. Everything above that number may upset your stomach and stress your liver due to excess eugenol. A with any other food out there, moderation is key.
Combining Cloves with Diabetes Medication
Because they help reduce the levels of sugar in the blood, combining them with medications such as insulin or metformin — which serve the same purpose — may lower your blood sugar too much. This can lead to dizziness, weakness, and confussion.
Replacing Dental Care with Clove Use
Cloves can temporarily relief a toothache, but they don’t treat the underlying cause. Prolonged use without dental care may lead to complications so only use them as a temporary remedy.
Misusing Clove Essential Oil
Clove oil is super strong, with one drop being equal to a dozen of whole cloves. If applied directly to the skin or the gums, it may cause burns. Instead, you should mix it with a carrier oil and use it in small amounts. It is intended for aromatherapy or diluted topical application only, never for consumption.
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