Clove: Syzygium aromaticum

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Clove-

Scientific Names: Syzygium aromaticum (L.) MERR. et L.M. PERRY (syn.

Caryophyllus aromaticus or Eugenia caryophyllus or Jambosa

caryophyllus [Fam. Myrtaceae]

Forms: Volatile oil extracted from the unopened flower bud.

Dried whole or ground buds are used for culinary purposes.

 

Traditional Usage:

 

- Altitude Sickness

- Antibacterial

- Antifungal

- Antimicrobial

- Antioxidant

- Antiseptic

- Appetite Stimulant

- Bad Breath

- Blood Sugar Control

- Bone and Joint Pain

- Bunions

- Earache

- Eczema

- Expectorant

- Hyperglycemia

- Indigestion

- Macular Degeneration

- Nausea

- Pain

- Toothache

- Worms

- Wounds

Clove is also the name given to the trees' dark brown, pungently

spicy dried flower buds, commonly used as a powerful antioxidant

spice.

 

The German Commission E approves the internal use of cloves for

treating inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and

throat, as well as for topical use in dentistry as an analgesic to

alleviate pain.

 

The essential oil has significant antibacterial activity and is also

used undiluted as an antiseptic in dentistry.

 

Cloves are also used as a digestive aid, often in combination with

other digestive herbs, for alleviating flatulence and as a tonic.

 

Jean Carper, in Food Your Miracle Medicine, notes the powerful anti-

aggregative activity of clove against blood clots.

 

Dr. Krishna Srivastava of Odense University in Denmark screened

eleven spices and found that seven discouraged blood platelet

aggregation,

 

with clove being the most potent and even stronger than aspirin.

 

Additionally, cloves help to protect the structure of platelets even

after they have been aggregated,

due to beneficial effects on the prostaglandin system, similar to

aspirin, garlic and onions.

 

Dr. James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy, also notes the use of

cloves for treating altitude sickness, bad breath, bunions,

diabetes, macular degeneration, pain, worms and wounds.

 

Blood thinning properties of clove make it potentially useful for

preventing altitude sickness,

and anesthetic activity may provide relief for bunion sufferers.

 

Clove was also traditionally used as a breath freshener and can be

used in mouthwashes.

 

Studies show that cloves help the body to utilize insulin more

efficiently and that it helps prevent the breakdown of

docosahexaenoic acid in the retina – a function that may preserve

vision in old age.

 

Active Ingredients:

 

Clove contains: 15-20% or more of essential oil (Oleum Caryophylli)

with eugenol as the main component (85-95%);

flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol; ca. 10% fixed oil;

tannin; phenol carboxylic acids including gallic acid and

protocatechuic acid; small amounts of sterols and sterol glycosides;

gum; resin; fiber; water; and two crystalline principles called

caryophyllin (C20H32O) and eugenin (C10H12O2).

 

In summary, clove oil is rich in eugenol,

a compound noted for its analgesic, anesthetic, anti-aggregant, anti-

candidiasis, antiedemic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic,

antiulcer, cancer-preventive, choleretic, cytotoxic, anti-fever,

anti-fungal, sedative and vermifuge activity.

 

Suggested Amount:

In mouthwashes, 1-5% of essential oil is used, or equivalent with

cloves or clove powder.

 

For preserving vision, Dr. Duke recommends using one or two drops of

clove oil added to antioxidant mint teas and enjoying up to four

cups per day.

 

In dentistry, the undiluted oil is applied to the affected area.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html