Ground Cloves - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Ground cloves are a rough, dark reddish-brown powder that, when compressed, forms little, sand-like clumps. When inhaled deeply, the powder's potently spicy and fruity aroma can dominate the nose. The flavour of ground cloves is extremely intense and is sweet, minty, and zingy with a hint of bitterness and astringency. When immediately ingested, the powder's anaesthetic property numbs the tongue and mouth. 

Nutritional Value:

Ground cloves have a high manganese content and small quantities of fibre, vitamin K, and vitamin C. The essential oil eugenol, which accounts for roughly 90% of the oil content of the spice, is what gives it its flavour and scent. Eugenol oil is used in topical pain treatments for tooth and mouth discomfort because of its antibacterial and anaesthetic characteristics. Acute respiratory distress, liver failure, and central nervous system depression can all result from eating too much clove oil, though.

Applications:

1. To flavour food: Many Indian cuisines have potent flavours and aromas that pair nicely with cloves. Enjoy the special benefits that cloves can add to your pickles and chutney by adding a few to them. Use ground or crushed cloves in a sweet dish for a warm, spicy flavour. They can also be utilised in a range of savoury and sweet culinary applications. In numerous spice blends, such as garam masala, Chinese five-spice, and pumpkin spice, they play a significant role. Occasionally, cloves are added to chai, an Indian and Pakistani beverage made of tea, spices, and milk. In Europe and the United States, they are used to flavour pies, pastries, cakes, mincemeat, and wassail, a warm alcoholic beverage. It's a well-kept secret that ground cloves are an essential component of numerous sauces, including Worcestershire, cocktail, ketchup, and barbecue. 
2. As an air freshener: Cloves can be used to make your own DIY air freshener. Simply combine some water with 5–10 drops of clove oil. Next, pour it into a spray bottle and give it a good shake.

Heath benefits: 

There are numerous potential health advantages of ground cloves, including:

Combating Oral Diseases with Ground Cloves:

If you have signs like sore or bleeding gums, loose or missing teeth, or mouth and jaw pain, you should be aware that your dental health is in jeopardy. Due to its anaesthetic and antibacterial qualities, it has been used in dentistry since the nineteenth century. Place the cloves in your mouth for a few minutes at a time to relieve the afflicted area.

Due to its impact on plaque, gingivitis, and oral germs, researchers are investigating clove oil as a natural way to preserve dental health. According to studies, the mouthwash with cloves has a strong antimicrobial impact.

Ground Cloves Control Diabetes:

The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving qualities of cloves are well known. They aid in controlling your blood sugar levels. Additionally, they support the generation of insulin for improved diabetic management.

Supplements containing fermented ginger and cloves may have anti-diabetic benefits, particularly for people with type 2 diabetes.

Ground Cloves Boost Your Immune System:

Your body can be better protected from external threats if your immune system is functioning effectively. These factors include toxins—chemicals created by microbes—as well as bacteria, viruses, fungus, and bacteria.

A study found that ground cloves have gastro-protective, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. This can strengthen the immune system.

Ground Cloves Can Relieve Headaches:

Headaches often happen because of deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or nose bridge. They worsen with sudden head movement or straining. Such excruciating headaches can be soothed by ground cloves. They accomplish this by using their cooling and pain-relieving abilities. Crush a few cloves and apply them to your head while using a napkin to relieve your headache. To relax, take a whiff of the aroma.

Ground Cloves Promote Weight Loss:

Weight loss that leads to a healthy weight is accompanied by many health benefits. It actually reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels as well as the strain on your bones and joints. According to a study, cloves aid in metabolic boosting. They reduce cholesterol via having anti-cholesteremic effects. Furthermore, when combined with cumin, pepper, and cinnamon seeds, they raise your metabolic rate. These hence aid in weight loss.

Ground Cloves Increase Testosterone Levels:

Men's testosterone is a sex hormone that controls their libido, bone density, and fat distribution. Additionally, it improves muscle size and strength as well as the generation of sperm and red blood cells.

Testosterone levels rise as a result of cloves' enhancement of testicular function. Moreover, they increase fertility. They boost energy and neurological function, lower blood pressure, and raise body temperature, which reduces stress and anxiety. It stops ejaculating quickly and erectile dysfunction. They support a healthy intimate life.

Ground Cloves Prevent Cancer:

Ground Cloves contain eugenol, which has potent chemopreventive or anti-carcinogenic qualities. Betulinic acid and other triterpenes found in cloves only combat breast, lung, and ovarian cancer in their early stages. So eat more cloves to protect yourself from cancer.

According to a study, cloves can be the future of cancer treatment because of their work in various cancer cells.

Stress Reduction with Ground Cloves:

Cloves contain stress-relieving qualities that help you feel calm and relaxed. They include lots of antioxidants that shield your cells from free radical damage. Cloves contain eugenol, which is extremely beneficial in lowering oxidative stress.

Treating Impotence with Ground Cloves:

Men's male sexual desire is increased by ground clove. Additionally, it lowers the chance of male sexual disorders. One of these, erectile dysfunction, may eventually lead to stress, interpersonal difficulty, and low self-confidence.

According to studies, clove lengthens the duration of an erection and enhances sexual performance.

Ground Cloves: Precautions and Side Effects:

Impact on Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers:

There hasn't been any research done to determine the effects of ground cloves on pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. So it always advisable to consult your doctor before consuming it. 

Impact on Children: 

Ground Clove oil should never be taken orally. It may result in fluid imbalances, liver damage, and seizure symptoms.

Impact on Bleeding disorders:

The blood clotting process is slowed down by eugenol. Ground Clove oil shouldn't be used by those with blood disorders. It could result in unintended bleeding and other consequences.

Impact on Surgery: 

Ground Cloves' natural chemicals have an impact on blood sugar levels. They are also in charge of reducing blood clotting. They might prevent the body from operating normally. As a result, avoid using them two weeks prior to and following your planned surgery.