Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

Most people will know the familiar sweet smell in our Chai teas, and in sweet and savoury dishes alike. This intoxicating, tiny but potent flower bud has been used as a medicinal remedy in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbal medicine – popular to say the least!

What we also LOVE about Cloves, is the impressive range of actions that have been studied from use as a topical anaesthetic, to preventing food from spoiling – like seriously, amazing!

Cloves have a significant eugenol content (the oil which most studies are based on), as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamin C, and minerals such as boron, calcium, chromium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Clove oil can be used topically as local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory, due to the eugenol acting on the sensory receptors involved in pain. Clove is also a protector and has shown to have anti-fungal and antibacterial effects, as well anti-protozoan specifically inhibiting Giardia lamblia.

Its also a powerful antioxidant, antispasmodic, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, the list goes on…


Action: Anthelmintic, carminative, aromatic digestive, spasmolytic cholagogue, antimicrobial,
analgesic, antioxidant, Immunomodulator, Antidiabetic.
Indications: Nausea, dyspepsia, flatulent colic, abdominal bloating, intestinal worms, candida,
topically in tooth-ache and gum disorders or headache.
Pregnancy / Breastfeeding safe: Safe to be consumed as a spice in food/beverages.


Enjoy in blends:
DIRT DANDI CHAI here


Reference:
Bone, K: The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) 2007, Pg. 26

The Herbal Extract Company Australia – Full Monograph Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Braun & Cohen: Herbs & Natural Supplements Vol 2, Pg 197 -201, 2015