The aroma of cloves (laung) refreshes our mind! Indians are blessed to be able to include cloves in many of the tasty dishes. In fact, the taste of these recipes depends on cloves to a greater extent. Who can deny the rich aroma of dishes like pulav? These foods would not get their incredible taste and flavor if you fail to add cloves! But cloves, the scientific name of which is Eugenia Aromatica, has medicinal value as well due to the presence of vital nutrients.
The clove is a flower bud of the clove tree. It is normally pink in color, but turns brown in dried state. Cloves are native to the Moluccas volcanic islands of Indonesia which was known as the Spice Islands in the past. The largest producer of clove in the world at present is Zanzibar and it is grown commercially in other countries like India, Brazil, Madagascar, West Indies, Pemba and Sri Lanka.
What are the Nutrients Present in Cloves?
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Dietary Fiber
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Vitamin K
What are the Various Medicinal Properties of Cloves?
- Anti-Fungal Properties: A chemical compound called Eugenol, extracted from the essential oil of cloves is found to show anti-fungal properties. The compound has been found to be specially effective against fungi like Trichophyton mentagrophytes (causes Malabar itch, athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch) and Microsporum canis (cuases tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm) dermatophytes. Tests have also established the effectiveness of the essential oil of cloves against yeast infections including Candida.
- Analgesic Properties: The same compound, Eugenol, shows analgesic, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic and anti-bacterial properties. This is the reason why cloves are used in dentistry. It is used as a dental cement, paste, filler or as a restorative material. Clove oil contains another component which also shows local anesthetic property. It is called Beta-Caryophyllene. Clove oil is also known as an effective remedy for toothache. Use one to two drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and rub the affected tooth for relief. Clove also contains a variety of flavonoids, including kaempferol and rhamnetin, which also contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Diabetes Prevention Activities: According to a study presented in April at Experimental Biology 2006 in San Francisco, few grams of cloves per day (equivalent to one to two cloves) can help improve the function of insulin, and lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Aphrodisiac Functions: In a study it was found that the sexual behavior of male mice was enhanced due to the use of clove extracts. Since ancient times, clove has been used in Unani medicine as an aphrodisiac for the treatment of male sexual disorders and the results only re-establish the facts.
- Antispasmodic Effects: Clove oil acts as an antispasmodic agent and can provide relief from cramps that can occur in muscle tissue. It can be used to treat colic, gas, and bloating.
- Anti-Cancer Properties: Studies have tried to focus on the effects of clove on lung cancer. According to an animal study by a research team from Kolkata's Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, cloves inhibit abnormal cell growth in lungs of mice. The study also found that the cloves thwarted the progression of pre-malignant cells that threatened to initiate lung cancer in mice. A research team from the UAE University (UAEU) also reports that the clove extract contains an agent which has the ability to kill cancer cells in the human body. The findings were presented at the 10th Annual Research Conference held in the UAE.
- Anti-Blood Clot Properties: Eugenol acts as a powerful platelet inhibitor and hence prevents the formation of blood clots.
Undoubtedly, clove is a versatile spice which offers a wide range of nutritional benefits. But there are reports as well on allergic reactions to clove and eugenol. Children, pregnant and lactating mothers should refrain from taking clove supplements.
