Clove, Syzygium Aromaticum

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

hot, dry, tonifying

Taste: aromatic, pungent, numbing, bitter, astringent

Family: Myrtaceae

Medicinal parts: flower buds

Actions: carminative, circulatory stimulant, antispasmodic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic

Affinities: digestive system

Notable constituents: volatiles (eugenol, caryophyllene, acetyleugenol, copaene, cubebene, humulene, methyl salicylate, pinene, vanillin, ylangene, zingiberene), eugenin, kaempferol, ellagic acid, oleanolic acid, sterols, gum, [ellagi]tannins

Medicinal applications

• Clove is a well known medicinal plant in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine for more than 2000 years. Clove is helpful for a large variety of ailments and it has been thought of as a “cure-all” but how is it capable of aiding such a wide variety of illnesses? It starts with cloves potent volatile oils, these oils have a carminative effect, helping combat sluggish digestion and simultaneously stimulating the circulatory system, creating a warming effect. As clove is excreted from the body via the liver, bronchi, skin and kidney, it has disinfecting and antimicrobial properties. These antimicrobial properties are effective topically as well. This is how clove is able to help heal many types of illness from internal and topical parasites, respiratory infections and diseases such as malaria. 

• Clove is antimicrobial, it is established that it inhibits several bacteria and fungal strains. Clove’s potent antimicrobial action is effective topically and internally. 

• Clove is carminative, meaning it supports digestion and provides relief from cramping, bloating and gas. Clove’s antispasmodic action enhances this digestion relief. 

• Clove is a respiratory aid, its antispasmodic action relaxes tissue and calms muscle spasms and combined with its antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties clove is a powerful support for respiratory health. Historically, people have worked with cloves for prevention and control over respiratory ailments, today we see cloves employed in the treatment of COVID-19 Ebola and influenza A virus. Clove appears to be preventative for respiratory viruses. Studies show a potential corrational between countries like India and Morocco that have a diet rich in cloves and lower pandemic impact. In these studies more than 93%  of people interviewed felt that herbs and spices provided support against Covid-19. 

• Cloves are suitable for many topical applications. Cloves' antispasmodic properties relax and soothe sore muscles. Cloves' antimicrobial properties fight against bacteria and fungus and provide support for topical parasites like scabies.

• Studies show that clove is supportive for brain health. Clove has been observed to improve memory and learning through decreasing oxidative stress and stimulating blood flow to the brain. 

• Clove can be employed as a cardiac tonic.  The stimulating properties of cloves increase blood flow to the heart, improving the function of the heart and leading to improved blood flow throughout the body.  

• Clove has analgesic properties, it relieves pain and numbs. Clove has a long history as an analgesic herb, there are accounts of clove being employed for pain management since the 13th century. 

• Clove has potent aromatic oils, eugenol makes up about 80% and a-caryophyllene, acetyleugenol and humulene make up the other 20%. Eugenol is known for its insecticidal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer activity. Eugenol is also the main compound responsible for cloves analgesic properties. Cloves blend of volatile oils, Eugenol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and eugenyl acetate, have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Studies that compare clove essential oil and eugenol to diclofenac gel show its anti-inflammatory properties are equally as effective, eugenol and clove essential oil reduce inflammation 60 to 20% after 3h. These results display the wound healing capabilities of clove essential oil. Clove essential oil has traditionally been used treating analgesic headaches, joint pain, toothaches and oral hygiene issues. The analgesic effects of eugenol have been proven through various studies and its effects are comparable to lidocaine.  

In Practice

• Try working with clove to help keep away bugs. Clove essential oil is an insecticide, studies show potent results, repelling 100% of chigger mites and fire ants. Eugenol, the aromatic oil that makes up 80% of clove essential oil, is a promising insecticide. Traditionally, people have made pomanders, an orange studded with cloves. Alongside scenting the air, this tradition has a purpose, it repels insects and flies. To keep away mosquitoes, add a few cloves into your pockets. You can also make a natural bug spray of clove infused oil, diluted clove essential oil, one part clove to 10 parts oil or witch hazel.

• Clove is a powerful healer for the respiratory system, helping clear up coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. Currently clove is used in protocols for treating early covid. One application is to prepare a decoction of clove, boiling for 15 mins and then inhaling in the steam for five minutes . Another option is to make a cup of hot clove tea and breathe in the aroma. For respiratory ailments, try working with clove to help cleanse your system. 

• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory, clove is a potent ingredient for topical preparations. Cloves properties make it suitable for wound healing topicals, one way to work with clove is to make an infused clove oil for sprains and sore muscles. 

• Clove is helpful for mouth pain. One way to incorporate clove is as a mouthwash, try infusing clove into vinegar. When working with the gums, try a clove infused olive oil for pain.  It's important to note that when working with cloves, it is necessary to dilute your preparation, a small amount of clove goes a long way. 

• Clove essential oil has applications as a cleaning agent. Eugenol, the main volatile oil in clove, has shown positive results inhibiting the growth of E.coli and listeria. Try diluting clove essential oil in water for a cleaning spray. 

• Clove’s potency allows for a small amount to be effective. It's common to work with cloves in a blend with other spices and in one-clove increments or ¼ teaspoon of powder. When working with clove essential oil it is necessary to dilute it. 

• Clove is an ingredient in many popular spice blends, such as chai and pumpkin spice. From a medicinal perspective these common food spices also have a supportive role, being carminative, antioxidant and antimicrobial. Studies demonstrate that countries with a high amount of spices in their diet have a low covid impact. These results suggest that clove and other warming spices can be preventative for respiratory ailments.  

Cautions:

Moderate to high doses of clove will raise blood pressure. This can be helpful in some cases, but makes the herb contraindicated in hypertension.

Formerly given the botanical name Eugenia caryophyllata/caryophyllum, and still found in some references under that name (think: eugenol, caryophyllene) . 

Friends: cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cubeb, orange. 

This is for research purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

Works Cited

Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health.” U.S. National Library of Medicine , U.S. National Library of Medicine , 22 Oct. 2021, Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health. 

Banerjee , Kaushita, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Potential of a Clove Oil Emulsion.” Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Elsevier, 5 May 2020, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927776520303325. 

Cortés-Rojas, Diego Francisco, et al. “Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum): A Precious Spice.” Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819475/. 

Haro-Gonzalez, Jose Nabor, and Gustavo Adolfo Castillo-Herrera. “Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium Aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food 

M;, Kamkar Asl M;Nazariborun A;Hosseini. “Analgesic Effect of the Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Clove.” Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25050273/. 

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Clove - Materia Medica Entry Text.” Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Clove - Syzygium aromaticum” Family Herbalist Course.https://online.commonwealthherbs.com/courses/take/materia-medica/lessons/3571302-clove-syzygium-aromaticum. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. 

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Herbal Actions Glossary” Accessed 10 Jan. 2024. https://online.commonwealthherbs.com/courses/take/materia-medica/pdfs/15818248-herbal-actions-glossary

Vardanyan, R. S., and V. J. Hruby. “Cardiotonic Drugs.” Synthesis of Essential Drugs, Elsevier, 9 May 2007, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444521668500170. 

Vicidomini, Caterina, et al. “Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility.” National Library of Medicine , U.S. National Library of Medicine , 26 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8036487/. 

“5 All-Natural Mosquito Repellants.” Patio Patrol, Patio Patrol, patiopatrol.com/blog/5-all-natural-mosquito-repellants#:~:text=You%20can%20just%20put%20a,rubbing%20alcohol%20or%20olive%20oil. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.