The dried flower buds of the Indonesian native evergreen clove tree are what we know as cloves. Due to its shape resembling a nail, the word "clove" is derived from the French word "clou," which means nail. When the buds are still pink, they are cut off and dried until they become brown. Their flavor and scent are enhanced by the drying process.
Syzygium aromaticum, the scientific name for cloves, is one of the most prized spices in the world. They have a long and colorful history because they were a common item in the old spice trade routes. These tiny, dried flower buds have a strong flavor that makes them a favorite in many cultures' cuisines. Cloves are not only a tasty addition to food but also a potential natural treatment because they have a variety of additional potential health advantages.
Nutrients from Cloves
Manganese is a mineral that is abundant in cloves and helps your body control the enzymes necessary for hormone production and bone repair. In addition to being an antioxidant, manganese may shield your body from free radicals.
Additionally, cloves are a great source of:
1. Potassium
2. Eugenol
3. Beta-carotene
4. Vitamin K
One teaspoon of cloves provide the following:
6 calories
Less than 1 gram of protein
Less than 1 gram of fat
1 gram of carbohydrates
1 gram of fiber
Less than 1 gram of sugar
Health Benefits
Cloves have historically been used to help with digestion. Due to their carminative qualities, they can aid in reducing bloating, gas, and indigestion.
1. Reduced blood sugar.
The eugenol in cloves may help reduce blood sugar levels, according to a non-human study. But if you have diabetes, taking clove pills could be harmful. Eugenol and insulin medicines together have the potential to create dangerously low blood sugar levels, according to Dr. Modlo. Life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur in severe cases.
2. less ulcers.
There is some research that suggests cloves may help prevent stomach ulcers. The layers of mucus that shield your stomach lining typically thin, which leads to ulcers. Preliminary research suggests that consuming significant amounts of cloves can thicken this mucus, reducing your chance of getting ulcers and promoting the healing of existing ulcers.
3. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
Eugenol, a major ingredient in cloves, has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Because of this, cloves may be useful in treating a variety of illnesses by lowering pain and inflammation.
4. Reduce the risk of cancer.
Clove oil, clove extract, and notably eugenol may be able to combat cancer, according to a number of laboratory (test tube) research. However, the chemicals found in cloves in the research were utilized at extremely high concentrations and are potentially harmful to humans. If consuming cloves in moderation as part of a balanced diet has any cancer-protective properties, further study is required.
5. Soothe skin that is itchy.
According to one study, clove oil was more effective at relieving irritated skin than petroleum jelly or a placebo. However, some persons report burning and skin irritability after immediately putting clove oil or clove oil-based products on their skin.
6. Dental Health.
The antibacterial effects of eugenol also apply to dental health. To relieve gum discomfort and toothaches, cloves are frequently utilized. Dental care products frequently use clove oil as a component.
7. Possibility of Liver Protection.
High levels of antioxidants found in cloves may prove to be beneficial for shielding the liver in particular from the effects of free radicals. In the long run, metabolism lowers the liver's antioxidant levels while raising the formation of free radicals and altering the lipid profile.
Things to be aware of.
A strong flavor is present in cloves. Although they are typically safe to use as a spice, you might want to bear the following in mind:
i. Danger of essential oils: Compared to whole or crushed cloves, clove essential oil has much more eugenol. Pure clove oil can be harmful and make you feel queasy or cause other symptoms if you swallow it. It can very rarely result in a coma.
ii. Interactions with medications: Warfarin, a blood thinner, is only one of the medications that eugenol can occasionally interact with. The best course of action is to avoid drinking clove oil or tea while taking such medications. Cloves used as a spice in moderation should be safe.
iii. Hypoglycemia: Your blood sugar levels go too low at this point. Cloves' eugenol content can assist diabetics drop their blood glucose levels to healthy ranges. But too much clove might result in serious hypoglycemia.
iv. Avoid cloves if you are pregnant or nursing: Because cloves are used in food in such small doses, it is probably safe to consume them. However, there are no safety information about clove products or supplements when nursing or pregnant.
v. Avoid cloves if you have a bleeding disorder: Eugenol impairs your capacity to stop bleeding and form blood clots if you are using blood thinners or have a bleeding condition. If you take blood thinners like aspirin or anticoagulants, or if you have a bleeding disorder, this could result in serious issues.
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