Cloves are a popular spice in the kitchen, and not just at Christmas time. The plant can do much more than season food: it is also a versatile home remedy.
Because of its strong taste, cloves are used in many dishes, especially curry dishes and Christmas recipes. Whether in gingerbread, mulled wine or punch – for many people the unmistakable taste is the epitome of a delicious Christmas meal.
The intense smell created by the essential oils in cloves can also serve as a room scent. Studded with oranges, carnations are also a popular decoration during the Christmas season.
The oils not only provide a fragrant scent and a delicious taste, they are also said to have a healing effect.
Clove: ingredients at a glance
The evergreen clove tree, up to 15 meters high, is originally native to the Moluccas in Indonesia. The tropical plant has been known in Europe since the early Middle Ages. Due to colonization, it now also grows in other areas such as Madagascar, Zanzibar and the Antilles.
Only the unopened flower buds of the clove tree are harvested. They contain up to 20 percent essential oils, including 70 to 90 percent eugenol (clove oil) and ten to 15 percent aceteugenol. Other ingredients include beta-caryophyllene and a portion of antioxidants. The active ingredients in cloves can be used in a variety of ways to support the treatment of illnesses.
Clove as a home remedy for illnesses
Cloves can be used as a home remedy for various ailments:
- As a pain reliever for toothache: Due to the anesthetic effect of eugenol, cloves are used as a home remedy for pain, especially for toothache. Use clove oil to relieve the pain. To do this, take a cotton pad soaked in water and put a few drops of clove oil on it. You can then rub your teeth with this. But be careful, clove oil in its pure form can irritate the mucous membranes. Clove mixtures in the form of tooth oil are available to buy ready-made. Clove oil is also used as a remedy for bad breath and can be found in many oral care products. Note: It is often recommended to chew on a clove. However, Jochen Schmidt, dentist at Carree Dental in Cologne, advises against this. According to his own statements, colleagues and himself have had to remove clove residue from between teeth “several times”. This made the cause of the symptoms worse.
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Anti-inflammatory: Thanks to the beta-caryophyllene in cloves, the plant supports healing of many inflammations. It can be helpful to gargle a glass of water with a few drops of clove oil if you have gum inflammation.
- As an antibiotic: The eugenol contained in cloves is also responsible for the antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects. Studies have shown clove oil to be effective against certain germs that have become resistant to certain antibiotics.
- In the gastrointestinal area: Cloves are said to help against flatulence and cramps. The eugenol in cloves stimulates digestion.
If pain or symptoms persist for several days, you should seek medical advice. Pregnant women should be careful with cloves as they can potentially trigger contractions – it’s best to check this with a doctor.
Tip: To test the quality of cloves, you can simply place them in a glass of water. The heavier the clove, the better its quality. If they sink to the bottom or float vertically in the glass, they contain a lot of oils. If the cloves float to the top, some of the active ingredients have already been lost during drying.
With material from dpa.
Edited by Nora Braatz
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