Cloves - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Who hasn’t heard of the miraculous cloves or laung that is used regularly in our meals and even in Hindu pujas? In Indian households, cloves are frequently used to improve the flavor of the food. In addition to making the dish mouth-watering, it is a healing spice that the body responds to like magic. Cloves, often referred to by their scientific name Syzygium aromaticum, are highly good for health, particularly in Ayurveda. Clove's therapeutic qualities can provide relief from stomach discomfort, toothaches, and throat pain when regularly ingested.

When it comes to tea, most of us automatically think of adding sugar to sweeten it. However, this can quickly add up in terms of calories and impact our health negatively. A great alternative is to use spices like cloves instead. Cloves not only add a unique flavor to tea but also come with a range of health benefits.

The clove, which has a tiny size and a little bitter flavor, is abundant in many virtues. Cloves include an ingredient called eugenol, which helps to prevent issues including stress, digestive issues, Parkinson's disease, bodily aches, and others. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, cloves include vital nutrients such vitamin E, vitamin C, folate, riboflavin, vitamin A, thiamine, and vitamin D.

What are cloves?

Syzygium aromaticum, a tree in the Myrtaceae family, produces cloves as its aromatic flower buds. They originate from the Indonesian Maluku Islands and are frequently employed as a spice, flavoring, or aroma in consumer goods like toothpaste, soaps, and cosmetics. Since the shape of a dried clove is similar to that of a nail, their name derives from the Latin word clavus, which means nail.

Use of cloves in Indian cuisine:

Since the beginning of time, cloves have been a staple in Indian cuisine because of their strong minty scent, delicately spicy flavor, and several health advantages. In traditional desi cuisine, cloves—also known as "Laung" or "Lavanga" in India—are either used whole as the bud or ground into a fine powder.

Clove powder is frequently included in popular Indian spice blends including garam masala, Goda masala, and Chettinad masala. To balance the sweetness of sugar, honey, and jaggery, clove powder or dried buds are also added to teas, hot drinks, and desserts. Due to its energizing scent and subtly sour flavor, clove is used sparingly in pulao, biryani, dals, meat curries, and soups.

Consumption of cloves at night:

Clove has a concocting substance that makes it effective both topically and inwardly. Chew two cloves before bedtime to reap the advantages. Drink 1 glass of warm water after that. This will aid in the elimination of numerous issues, including acne.

Clove tea:

Reap the health benefits of this miraculous spice by concocting refreshing clove tea:

• Grind 1 tablespoon of whole cloves.
• Put a cup of water in a pan, add the cloves, and bring to a boil.
• Let it steep for three to four minutes.
• After cooling, strain it and serve.

Nutritional Value of Cloves:

One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains:

• Calories: 6
• Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin K: 2% of the DV

Health Benefits of Cloves:

Cloves are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In both traditional Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine, cloves have been used tonically to boost the immune system, lessen inflammation, and improve digestion. Here are some the numerous health benefits of cloves:

1. Regulates hunger levels

Cloves are an amazing spice that can help keep your stomach from growling between meals. They are high in fiber, which is a nutrient that can help regulate hunger levels. Just one teaspoon of cloves provides close to a gram of fiber. This makes them a great addition to any diet!

2. Keeps blood sugar levels in check

Cloves are one of the best spices for regulating blood sugar levels. They contain manganese, a mineral that helps the body process and utilize glucose. Adding cloves to your diet is an easy and delicious way to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Try incorporating them into recipes for sweet and savory dishes alike.

3. Good for oral health

Clove oil is a popular ingredient in many oral health products, including mouthwashes and toothpastes. This is because clove oil has been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help fight plaque and bacteria in the mouth.

4. Alleviates tooth pain:

Cloves can be used to help relieve pain from a toothache. The eugenol in cloves acts as a natural antiseptic, and studies have shown that cloves are more effective than other common options for relieving pain, inflammation, wound healing, and infection. To use cloves for a toothache, simply place a few cloves near the affected area.

5. Anti-inflammatory:

If you're struggling with inflammation, cloves may be a helpful addition to your diet. Cloves are known for their anti-inflammatory effects, and studies have shown that eating them on a daily basis can lead to major benefits. Experts specifically recommend cloves for helping with arthritis, and using clove oil as a lotion or adding cloves into tea to reduce inflammation.

6. Cures cough:

If you have a cough, one home remedy you can try is to chew on cloves. Cloves are known to help suppress a cough by relaxing the throat muscles. To do this, simply chew on the cloves (but don't swallow them). You can also brew them into a tea and sweeten it with honey. Give this home remedy a try!

7. Good for bones:

Eugenol and flavonoids, two hydro-alcoholic substances abundant in cloves, can boost bone density and mineral content. Cloves are beneficial for those with osteoporosis and brittle bones.

8. Boosts immunity

Clove has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. The active ingredient in clove, eugenol, is effective against many harmful bacteria, fungus and viruses. Clove also has anti-viral and blood purifying properties which can help to decrease toxicity in the blood and increase resistance to diseases.

9. Anti-cancerous

Cloves are not only a great way to add flavor to your food, but they also offer a variety of health benefits. One such benefit is that cloves may help protect against cancer. The eugenol in cloves has strong anti-carcinogenic properties and may help control lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer at its early