14 Health Benefits of Cloves

Cloves are a multipurpose spice that enhances flavor and has several health benefits. They can destroy bacteria, have a high antioxidant content, and possibly even assist control of blood sugar.

Although they are most commonly used as a pleasant and fragrant spice, cloves have also been employed in traditional medicine.

What Are Cloves?

Dried clove tree blooms are used to make the aromatic spice known as cloves. Cloves were one of the spices that were formerly valued at their weight in gold. Cloves originated in the Spice Islands, which are close to China. In the late Middle Ages, cloves became widely used in local cuisine and expanded throughout Europe and Asia. Cloves are still a common spice today, adding a subtle sweetness and warmth to many cuisines.

The tiny flower buds that are grown on the evergreen tree known by the species name Syzygium aromaticum are actually what we know as cloves—small, spherical spices. 

Are cloves safe to eat? Yes, which is why they are usually pulverized and added in little amounts to recipes like fall-inspired baked products like gingerbread cookies, and meat marinades.

What are Ground Cloves?

 To give depth and flavor to a wide range of foods, you can add whole cloves to recipes and ground cloves to spice mixtures. These tiny, dark brown pods are used in Chinese five-spice blends, baked items, seasoned meats, curries, and Worcestershire sauce. They have certain health benefits as well.

Health Benefits of Cloves: 

The majority of the time, cloves are used in baking and cooking, although some people take supplements containing ground cloves, clove oil, and clove extract to support better health. 

Although there is little human study on the effects of supplements containing cloves, early findings indicate that because cloves have a high concentration of advantageous plant chemicals, they may have some health benefits.

The benefits of cloves include a few of the following:

1-May Help in Protect Cancer:

Cloves include chemicals that have been shown in several studies to potentially help prevent cancer.

Clove extract has been shown in a test-tube investigation to inhibit tumor development and encourage cancer cell death.

Similar findings were found in another test-tube investigation, which demonstrated that 80% of esophageal cancer cells died when exposed to intense doses of clove oil.

Cloves contain eugenol, which has been demonstrated to possess anticancer effects.

High doses of eugenol are poisonous, and taking too much clove oil can harm the liver, especially in young children. The effects of smaller doses on people require more investigation.

2-Boosting Immune Function:

Eugenol possesses antibacterial qualities that enable it to function as a natural germicide in addition to reducing inflammation and serving as an antioxidant. This makes it comparable to raw garlic, another kind of bulb that has antibacterial properties like allicin that strengthens the immune system.

Other substances found in cloves have comparable properties. For instance, cloves can aid in halting the growth of some dangerous bacteria that could result in gastrointestinal or oral infections and illnesses. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated the immunostimulatory properties of clove buds, which may support immune response pathways.

3-Reduce Inflammation:

 The most significant anti-inflammatory ingredient found in cloves is eugenol, while the plant contains several other chemicals as well. It has been demonstrated to lessen your body's inflammatory response, which can help control symptoms and reduce your chance of developing conditions like arthritis.

4-Promoting Digestive Health:

Cloves include substances that have been demonstrated to prevent the development of stomach ulcers, such as by promoting the creation of gastric mucus, which helps stop the stomach lining from eroding. Clove has even been shown in at least one study to have effects akin to those of various anti-ulcer drugs.

Clove extract can prevent liver damage and scarring by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and supporting healthy liver function.

5-Can Kill Bacteria:

It has been demonstrated that cloves have antibacterial qualities, which means they can inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microbes.

Because clove oil and extract can help inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus, they are sometimes used in food preservation. 

Cloves have antibacterial properties that may improve your dental health when used in conjunction with regular brushing and good oral hygiene.

Also Read: 8 Home Remedies for a Toothache

6-Reduced Ulcers:

Cloves may help shield your stomach from ulcers, according to several research. The weakening of the mucus layers that shield your stomach lining is the main cause of ulcers. Large clove intake thickens this mucus, which reduces the likelihood of developing ulcers and aids in ulcer healing, according to a preliminary study.

Cloves include chemicals that may be used to cure stomach ulcers, according to some research.

The most common cause of them is a decrease in the stomach's protective lining, which can be brought on by stress, infection, or heredity.

Clove essential oil was found to stimulate the production of gastrointestinal mucous in an animal investigation.

The protective layer of gastric mucus shields the stomach lining from the corrosive effects of digestive juices.

More research is required to determine the effects of cloves and their components on people, even though their anti-ulcer properties seem promising.

7-Fewer Free Radicals:

Eugenol is one of the many antioxidants found in cloves. Your body uses antioxidants to fight off free radicals, which harm your cells. The antioxidants in cloves can lessen your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer by eliminating free radicals from your body.

8-Improved Liver Performance:

 Cloves may also improve the function of your liver. Cloves' eugenol has been linked in certain studies to a reduction in the symptoms of fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis.

In one experiment, rats were given mixes containing either clove oil or eugenol to treat fatty liver disease.

Both combinations lessened oxidative stress, lowered inflammation, and enhanced liver function.

Cloves include eugenol, which has been shown in another animal study to help reverse liver cirrhosis indications.

A tiny study, however, discovered that taking eugenol supplements for a week led to a drop in the levels of the detoxification-related enzyme family known as glutathione-S transferases (GSTs), which is frequently a sign of liver disease.

Due to their capacity to lessen oxidative stress, cloves' strong antioxidant content may also help prevent liver damage.

Also Read: Liver disease: Types of liver problem, Symptom, Treatment and Prevention

 9-May Promote Bone Health:

Studies on animals have demonstrated that a few of the chemicals in cloves can assist maintaining bone mass.

For instance, eugenol-rich clove extract reduced multiple osteoporosis indicators and boosted bone strength and density in animal research.

Dried cloves' hydroalcoholic extract can increase bone density since it contains a lot of polyphenols, including eugenols and eugenol extractives.

Cloves contain manganese, which may enhance metabolism and bone mineral density based on some animal research.

10-May Fight Headache:

Aromatherapy makes considerable use of clove oil in the treatment of headaches. This may be explained by the analgesic (pain-relieving) qualities of clove eugenol.

A few crushed cloves should be placed in a fresh handkerchief. Every time you get a headache, take a whiff of the aroma. As an alternative, you can mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with two drops of clove oil, then gently massage the mixture over your forehead and temples.

These techniques, meanwhile, rely on anecdotal evidence. See your healthcare practitioner if you have any questions about using cloves to cure headaches.

11-Lots of Antioxidants:

Cloves are high in antioxidants in addition to many vital vitamins and minerals.

Compounds known as antioxidants lessen oxidative stress, which has been linked to the onset of chronic illness.

Indeed, eugenol prevented oxidative damage from free radicals five times more efficiently in test-tube research than it did vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant.

Consuming cloves and other foods high in antioxidants can help you feel better overall.

12-May Help in Blood Sugar Regulation:

 Studies conducted on human muscle cells and diabetic mice examined the effects of clove extract and nigericin, a chemical present in cloves, in both test tubes and animals.

It has been discovered that cloves and nigericin enhance the uptake of blood sugar by cells, boost insulin production, and enhance the efficiency of insulin-producing cells.

The hormone insulin is in charge of transferring blood sugar into your cells. For blood sugar levels to remain constant, insulin must work properly.

Cloves, when combined with a well-balanced diet, may help control blood sugar levels.

13-May Improve Respiratory Health:

This characteristic applies particularly to clove oil. Asthma sufferers can benefit from using the oil. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, the oil calms the respiratory system. It has been discovered that taking clove oil supplements stops bacteria from growing colonies in the lungs.

You can rub the oil into your sinuses, nasal bridge, and chest. Anecdotal research suggests that this could relieve and open up the respiratory pathways. Alternatively, you can steep a few cloves in some oil and pour it into a glass of warm water to make tea. Another recommended remedy for a sore throat is to chew on a clove bud.

14-May Treat Acne:

Cloves' antimicrobial and antifungal qualities might be relevant in this situation. Clove oil is effective in reducing acne and enhancing the appearance of skin. The literature on aromatherapy also suggests using the oil to treat acne.

The oil's eugenol possesses antimicrobial qualities. Acne can be successfully treated with the oil's ability to eradicate infection and reduce inflammation.

 Nutrition:

Cloves are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You may add flavor to your cuisine and get some essential nutrients by grinding or using whole cloves.

Two grams, or one teaspoon, of ground cloves contains:

6 calories and 

Carbs: 1 gram 

Fiber: 1 gram

Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV) 

Vitamin K: 2% of the Daily Value

The mineral manganese is vital for healthy brain function and strong bones.

Cloves are used sparingly and don't offer much in the way of nutrients, other than being a high source of manganese.

Side Effects of Cloves:

Clove supplements may have negative consequences, although human data on their health impacts is lacking.

Rarely, undiluted clove oil has caused liver damage, seizures, and other abnormalities in babies and children.

Eugenol, which is also included in clove oil in high concentrations, can cause major adverse effects such as seizures and liver damage when used in extremely high doses. Clove essential oil is therefore not recommended for ingestion.

Overindulging in cloves can have negative consequences, including decreased blood sugar, allergies, and an increased risk of bleeding.