| Cloves are the most
stimulating and carminative of all aromatics; given in powder, infusion, or
tonic for nausea, emesis, flatulence, languid indigestion and dyspepsia, and
used chiefly to assist the action of other medicines. The medicinal properties
reside in the volatile oil. The oil must be kept in dark bottles in a cool
place. If distilled with water, salt must be added to raise the temperature of
ebullition and the same cloves must be distilled over and over again to get
their full essence.
Two crystalline items are found in cloves -
Caryophyllin and Eugenin.
Cloves (Caryophyllum
aromaticus) are actually the dried buds of the clove tree. Used in China for
more than 2000 years. Cloves are believed to be an aphrodisiac. We do know that
clove oil is a time-honored remedy for toothache. Clove oil is highly
antiseptic. The cloves are also used to stop vomiting.
"The cloves herb keeps food fresh because the main active component of
cloves is eugenol, which has long been known to help kill bacteria and viruses"
says Gary Elmer, Ph.D., associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the
University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle. By killing bacteria,
eugenol helps keep meat fresh and prevents stomach upset, diarrhea, and wound
infections.
Healing uses for Clove / Cloves:
o Ease toothache pain:
The eugenol in clove makes the herb effective as an antiseptic and painkiller,
says Dr. DerMarderosian.You may have tasted the sweet-hot flavor of clove oil in
over-the-counter toothache medicines. Try a drop of this healing oil (available
at drugstores and health-food stores) to ease an aching tooth until you can see
a dentist.
o Relieve indigestion:
The herb's usefulness in combating intestinal problems has yet to be confirmed
in humans, but laboratory studies indicate that it may be effective.
o Control diarrhea:
An ingredient in clove fights the bacteria responsible for diarrhea-the
ailment you get from drinking the water in regions where health standards are
substandard.
o Heals cuts and bites:
Studies show that the oil in cloves can help kill several strains of
staphylococcus bacteria and one strain of pseudomonas-organisms that can cause
skin infections.
Cloves are also known as:
Ding Xiang, clove, Eugenia caryophyllata,
Mother cloves
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