Is clove good for the human body? Cloves: beneficial properties and contraindications. Hypertension and Hypotension

Probably each of us has some stuff in our kitchen. jar of dried cloves. Most often, this spice is used in winter, when the cold season sets in and you want to warm up with a mug. hot mulled wine. It turns out that cloves can be used for more than just culinary purposes. It has found its application in medicine; the spice is successfully used to treat and prevent many diseases.

Cloves contain a huge amount of useful substances, let's look at them components:

B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B4, B6 and B9), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K
minerals: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc
omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids
essential oil that contains eugenol, caryophyllene and ylangene

Beneficial properties of dried cloves

1. Fights pathogens

The spice is widely used in medicine to combat Staphylococcus aureus and white staphylococcus, diphtheria bacillus, pathogen anthrax and even with the tuberculosis bacillus. Cloves are recommended for the prevention of influenza.

2.Anthelmintic

3. Stimulates the production of digestive juices

This property of the spice is very useful for people who suffer from gastritis with low acidity; cloves help increase appetite. But it is strictly contraindicated for those who suffer from increased acidity and stomach ulcers.

4. Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

Cloves are used to treat diseases of the rectum, liver, flatulence and inflammation of the large intestine.

5. Supports health oral cavity

Cloves are famous for their analgesic effect; they can relieve toothache. It also supports oral health: helps cope with gum inflammation (gingivitis) and ulcers (stomatitis). This is also a great alternative chewing gum, the spice perfectly freshens the breath.

6. Keeps you in good shape nervous system

The spice has a calming effect. It’s not for nothing that sedatives are made from clove extract.

7. Keeps cancer from progressing

Cloves slow down the development of cancer cells, this is due to the eugenol content in it.

8. Tones and relieves spasms

Interestingly, its effect on the body depends on the dosage of the spice. On the one hand, it relieves gastrointestinal spasms, and on the other, it tones the muscles of the uterus. Cloves can also increase blood pressure.

How to use cloves

To keep you healthy of cardio-vascular system, you can use mulled wine, beloved by many. But it needs to be cooked according to a special recipe. To get the most benefit from cloves, you need to infuse them for several weeks.

Take half a liter of red wine (it is important to take real wine, not made from powder) and place 5 clove buds in the bottle, if you like, you can add cinnamon. Close the bottle and place it in a dark place for 3 weeks. This infusion should be taken 1 tsp. with tea 1 to 3 times a day.
If you suffer from oral problems, you should chew the spice buds.

To stimulate digestion, chew 1-2 cloves 15 minutes before meals. But keep in mind that cloves are contraindicated for people with high acidity and stomach ulcers.
To get rid of ulcers and boils, apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil carnations. For problem skin, baths with clove oil are considered very effective.

Don't buy too much dry cloves, such a spice most likely does not contain beneficial essential oils. You can check its quality by simply putting the spice in a glass of water. A real carnation will float vertically (foot down) or simply sink to the bottom. If the clove floats horizontally, it means that the beneficial essential oils have already evaporated.

Sometimes traditional methods treatments turn out to be much more effective than expensive drugs. We hope that you will test the effect of this most useful spice in practice and enjoy the result. Share the article with your friends and add it to your bookmarks so as not to lose it!

Dear friends, not long ago I was faced with an unexpected question: “cloves are a spice – is it good to chew it?” It is no secret that many culinary dishes cannot do without it, but is it worth using it as chewing gum for treatment? Let's figure out what beneficial properties and contraindications the clove spice has. From this it will become clear whether it can be used as a medicine for various problems with health.

Probably everyone knows that the spice called “clove” is the buds (flower buds with unopened petals) of the clove tree from the famous myrtle family, which grows in the tropics. They are simply fermented in the sun, after which the aroma intensifies and the benefits increase.

Clove spice - beneficial properties and contraindications

Let's not talk about magical properties of this plant, although they exist, let’s immediately move on to a completely materialistic problem. What is the treatment, benefits and harms of clove spice? They are determined by biochemical composition. And he is very rich! It is not for nothing that this plant is included in the official herbal pharmacopoeia of some countries, for example, Great Britain. The most significant substances include:

phytosterols (256 mg);
essential oils (up to 20%);
vitamin A (27 mcg);
vitamin E (8.53 mg);
vitamin C (80 mg);
vitamin PP (1.45 mg);
vitamin B2 (0.27 mg);
vitamin B6 (0.59 mg);
choline (37.4 mg);
vitamin K (141.7 mcg);
potassium (1103 mg);
calcium (645 mg);
magnesium (265 mg);
phosphorus (105 mg);
manganese (30 mg);
selenium (5.8 µg).

photo of a clove tree during budding and flowering

Medicinal properties of clove spice

Due to the fact that flower buds contain a lot of calcium and magnesium, they improve the synthesis of many enzymes involved in protein and energy exchanges. At the same time, carbohydrate metabolism is normalized, in particular, optimal sugar levels are maintained. This is why cloves should not be ignored by those who suffer diabetes mellitus And overweight. Very often, cloves are included in the top plants for weight loss.

Flower buds of the clove tree are shown in gastritis with low acidity. Biologically active compounds enhance production gastric juice and stimulate digestion, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of everything digestive tract. As a result, not only digestion improves, but also appetite increases, pain is relieved and healing of wounds on the mucous membrane improves.

Why else do you need to chew cloves? And not only chew, but also use as a spice and infusion for drinks. The carminative, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action of the extractive substances of clove buds helps to quickly get rid of inflammation in the large intestine. At the same time, liver condition and tone improves bile ducts. Therefore, for colic and flatulence, fragrant flower buds will come in handy.

The spice has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. This is especially pronounced in relation to white and Staphylococcus aureus, diphtheria and tubercle bacilli. It is advisable to take cloves for a sore throat and other diseases caused by bacteria.

Cloves are good for chewing and brewing into tea. for the flu, as its antiviral properties help delay the development of this disease.

If you are interested in the question of why chew cloves, then dentists can give you a direct answer. The fact is that the bactericidal and analgesic properties of this spice help reduce pain when gum inflammation and toothache. If you use it as chewing gum, it is quite possible to eliminate bad smell from mouth.

Since clove buds are rich in B vitamins, they have a good effect on our nervous system. Calming effect fragrant spice is especially useful for those who are often nervous and cannot sleep for a long time.

Read also:

How to quickly remove nervous tension

What else is clove spice useful for? Composed biologically active complex There is a large dose of eugenol essential oil. It is this compound that causes the carcinogenic effect and is used in complex therapy at cancer treatment.

If you chew several buds at a time, you can raise your blood pressure. That's why hypotension- This is one of the indications for the use of flower buds of a tropical tree.

It is useful not only to chew, but also to brew cloves with milk for vision. For the recipe, take 3 pieces per glass of milk. This use also helps strengthen memory and improve the functioning of brain neurons.

Found in clove buds and benefits for men. When used regularly, the spice provides all possible assistance in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and prostatitis, and improves sperm quality. The effect is explained by the fact that extractive substances improve blood circulation in the capillaries, relieve swelling and inflammation in the pelvic organs.

Due to the fact that spicy raw materials contain a lot of phytosterols, it good for women, especially during menopause and during childbirth to stimulate insufficient labor activity. Sometimes cloves are also used to normalize the menstrual cycle.

Clove spice - contraindications

Despite widest spectrum The beneficial properties of cloves also have direct contraindications for use. If you do not take them into account, you can cause significant harm to your body. You should not chew cloves often and use them in cooking if you have:

Increased stomach acidity.
Stomach ulcer and duodenum.
High blood pressure.
Increased uterine tone during pregnancy.
Feeding the baby with breast milk.
Individual intolerance.

How to take cloves and how to use them in cooking

Is chewing cloves beneficial? I think you have already understood that in the absence of contraindications, the answer is definitely positive. Beneficial features cloves appear already with a small dose - just take 1-2 buds. Clove gum will be more beneficial if you add another teaspoon of honey to it.

Chewing cloves on an empty stomach is beneficial for improving digestion. If you do this after eating, then this effect it will be lubricated, but you can achieve sanitation of the oral cavity, which is also good.

Different parts of spicy buds have varying degrees aroma: the so-called petiole is more pungent, and the “cap” itself has a mild aroma. But if you chew the spice or put the entire bud in dishes and drinks, then this subtlety will not be noticeable.

First and second courses

If you are going to cook meat (lamb, pork, chicken, turkey), sauces, broths, then take not the whole bud, but only its leg. This seasoning will give the dish a richer and stronger burning aroma. To enhance this effect, you need to add more black pepper.

The more subtle the clove flavor you want, the later you add the spice to the dish.

Desserts and drinks

If you use clove buds for confectionery delights, compotes, mulled wine, then take only hats. They will create a more delicate aroma. In such dishes, the overseas spice goes especially well with cinnamon. Some drinks are good without additional spices. For example, try making tea with cloves - the aroma is very unique.

How to choose a quality spice

There are several rules that are useful to follow if you decide to buy quality cloves. They are as follows:

The petiole of the buds should be elastic. If you press it across the paper, it leaves an oily trace. This indicates high-quality fermentation of the spice.
Try throwing cloves into water with force. If they drown or float vertically with the bud up, then this indicates that the quality is high. If they float horizontally on the water, this means that the heavy essential oils have already been lost and there is no point in using the spice for treatment or cooking.
You only need to buy whole buds. Ground cloves lose their medicinal properties very quickly. Therefore, even at home, if you have ground a spice, do not store it for a long time.

I hope that the information about the beneficial properties and contraindications of the fragrant spice of cloves was useful to you. You can choose the method of application for yourself. Some people like to chew cloves, some will prefer to flavor dishes with it, while others will like it better hot tea or mulled wine with aromatic additives. The main thing is that the chosen option improves your well-being and brings pleasure.

Good health to you! Nadezhda Goryunova

Chemical composition of fragrant cloves

There is the same amount of tannins in cloves, as well as glycosides and mucus.
If we consider the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, then cloves contain 6% proteins, 20% lipids, and about 27% carbohydrates. Approximately 30% of the spice is fiber.

8 Health Benefits of Cloves

Actions of cloves:

1. bactericidal;
2. anthelmintic (helminthic);
3. antifungal (fungicidal);
4. pain reliever;
5. antispasmodic;
6. wound healing;
7. carminative (for flatulence)
8. anti-carcinogenic.

Recipes

A wonderful recipe for heart health is mulled wine, which is prepared using fragrant cloves. There are many recipes for mulled wine, but cloves and cinnamon are most often used. Usually mulled wine is boiled, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without boiling for several weeks, since when heat treatment its vitamins and aromatic substances evaporate and are destroyed.
It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired. Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.
For oral cavity problems, toothache, gum inflammation, stomatitis, unpleasant smell It is beneficial to chew clove buds from the mouth. The same actions will prevent the onset of a sore throat.
To stimulate digestion, 15 minutes before meals, carefully chew 1-2 buds of cloves with 1 teaspoon of honey. However, this is contraindicated for stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as high blood pressure.
For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.
Clove oil is widely used for arthritis and arthrosis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (15 drops of clove essential oil per 1 tablespoon of massage oil).
There are traditional medicine tips for preparing decoctions from the buds of the clove tree. However, the medicinal value of such drugs will be small, since heat treatment destroys the substances that make up the buds.

How to choose a clove

Be healthy!

Source

What is clove

Cloves are a spice obtained from the dried and unopened buds of the clove perennial tree.

The plant's homeland is the Moluccas Islands. Nowadays, cloves are grown in Tanzania, Indonesia, India, and Ceylon.

What does a clove look like?

The clove tree is an evergreen shrub or tree with a pyramidal crown that has a strong aroma. The leaves are leathery, petiolate, glabrous, dark green in color. Carnation blooms 2 times a year. The flowers are purple-red, small, collected in complex semi-umbrellas. The fruit is a false berry.

The spice has a brown tint. The clove buds are harvested and then fermented in direct sunlight. A high-quality clove, if thrown forcefully into a glass, should sink or float vertically. If the spice floats horizontally, it is of poor quality.

The field carnation and the clove tree are not the same thing. In some indications for treating the body, they agree, for example, for colds, nervous tension, for pain relief, but their composition is completely different. In addition, the grass grows in the European part of Russia and Siberia, and the tree loves tropical climates.

Cloves (spice): beneficial properties and uses

With its very hot and spicy aroma, clove reminds of itself to those who have at least once tried it as part of culinary dishes. Aromatization with an herbal plant promotes relaxation and tranquility.

Cloves are a unique spice that contains a vitamin complex of groups A, B, P, C, E. The presence of minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber allows the spice to occupy a leading position in unique beneficial properties. Dried fruits perfectly freshen breath, eliminating the smell of garlic and onions.

The clove spice contains the main active substance- essential oil, occupying 20% of the total mass of the bud. It also has a distinct smell. The beneficial properties of clove essential oil are complemented by a complex of micro- and macroelements, vitamins, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, tannins and fatty acids, polyunsaturated acids.

Cloves have a wide range of uses. It is used in medicinal purposes in the form of decoctions and infusions. Experts recommend using cloves for married couples and people with low libido, as it increases desire and improves sex life.
The spice is also actively used in cooking, cosmetology, aromatherapy and for weight loss. The spice has found application in everyday life; it is used to repel blood-sucking insects.

For medicinal purposes, cloves can

Give pain relief, replace antispasmodic medications, get rid of germs.

Fruits help speed up digestive processes and prevent gas formation.

The medicinal properties of cloves are the secret to long-lasting sexual intercourse for many partners; its composition contributes to faster and longer-lasting sexual arousal for both partners.

The plant promotes rapid recovery from all types of injuries, for example, arthrosis, arthritis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (15 drops of clove essential oil per 1 tablespoon of massage oil).

Clove oil is effective in treating pustules and boils. Apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil to the boil. At problem skin take baths with clove essential oil.

Helps eliminate eye diseases when rubbing them with a decoction of cloves.
A simple recipe will help you get rid of stye - add a few drops of water to a crushed clove bud, mix and gently apply to the eye area.

In the field of dentistry, this seasoning has no equal! Widely used for dental diseases (stomatitis, pulpitis, caries, periodontal disease). For problems with the oral cavity, toothache, inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, and bad breath, it is useful to chew clove buds.

Clove buds can be safely chewed instead of regular chewing gum. The healing properties of the spice will help you forget forever about diseases such as gum disease, stomatitis, and periodontal disease. And the essential oils contained in cloves will serve as an excellent mouth rinse. Natural relief from bad breath for a cheap price!

If you notice the first signs of a sore throat or sore throat, chew a couple of small cloves. The throat will instantly stop hurting, the disease will be stopped!

Low blood pressure and asthma are also indications for the use of cloves. Several inflorescences (5-6) are poured with water, brought to a boil, cooled and the decoction is drunk three times a day. For improvement taste sensations you can add honey. For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.

Dry debilitating cough is effectively treated with a solution consisting of sea salt and ground cloves. Wet conditions can be treated with a special tea made from crushed ginger and cloves, but for asthma and tuberculosis, a mixture of garlic, honey and clove oil, which should be taken orally, helps perfectly.
To relieve a spasmodic cough, take 5 drops of clove essential oil, a tablespoon of honey and a small clove of garlic. Mix everything and consume before bed; the recommended dosage is presented in the recipe for one day.

The beneficial properties of cloves (spice) are also manifested in the effective treatment of diaphragmatic and muscle cramps, hiccups and sore throats. To eliminate the symptoms, you need to warm the milk and throw a few inflorescences into it. Drink the aromatic decoction in small sips, trying to hold it in your mouth.

The effect of cloves in the gynecological area is invaluable. It helps with infertility and childbirth, enhancing the effectiveness of contractions and pushing, normalizing menstrual cycle, slows down the aging process female body and increases sexual desire, as it is a natural aphrodisiac.

a) Cloves for menopause
During menopause or hormonal changes, all women experience hot flashes, which cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. Therefore, the beneficial properties of cloves for women are especially valuable at this time.

This recipe will help you cope with age-related hormonal changes.
To reduce pain in the evening, 15 pieces of fruit are poured with a glass of water heated to 40 degrees and left until the morning. The next day, you need to drink half the tea before breakfast, and the rest before dinner. To make the spice treatment more effective, prepare a fresh portion of tea every evening.

Each clove bud consists of 20% essential oil, and also contains aromatic substances such as ylangene, eugenol and caryophyllene, and a high content of tannins. Because of such a concentrated composition, pinworms are simply afraid of cloves, as well as diphtheria bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus and even Koch's bacillus!

Recipe No. 1
♦ Ingredients:
♦ Wormwood - 20 g.
♦ Tansy - 20 g.
♦ Cloves - 20 g.

b) From helminths

Recipe No. 2

Ingredients:
♦ Cloves - 100 g.
♦ Flax seed - 100 g.

How to prepare: Grind the ingredients in a coffee grinder. Place the resulting mixture in an airtight container and place in a cool place.
How to use: Take 25 g of the medicine every day, diluting it in tea or fruit drink. The duration of treatment is 3 days, after which take a break for 3 days. Then repeat the treatment again. General course treatment lasts 1-2 months.
Result: Elimination of helminths.

Spice not only gives dishes an unsurpassed taste, but also has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, increases appetite and promotes rapid absorption of food. In addition, it helps with flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, colitis, and intestinal colic. In order to significantly improve digestion and normalize the entire functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole, you need to chew a couple of clove buds with 1 teaspoon of honey about 15 minutes before meals.
Attention! If there is a stomach or duodenal ulcer, as well as high blood pressure, then it is better to abandon this method of treatment. In other cases, the use of cloves is welcome!

The spice is recommended for people suffering from nervous system disorders, as, thanks to the B vitamins contained in the seasoning, it relieves mental fatigue, tension, stress and helps fight depression.

Cancer prevention. In families where there have been cases of cancer among relatives, the use of cloves will be a very good prevention. After all, as you know, this disease is very often hereditary. The fact is that the spice contains eugenol, which helps normalize the condition of the body as a whole, slows down the increase in the number of cancer cells and helps prevent a terrible disease.

Cosmetology is an area in which cloves have also found application. Thus, essential oil can be used for various skin problems - acne, purulent rashes. To prevent the spread of infection through skin, just wipe the inflamed areas with oil. This will not only relieve redness and itching, but also help skin cells regenerate.

Try making a wonderful mulled wine drink using cloves. A warm alcoholic drink stimulates the heart, relieves autumn blues and depression, and is especially popular during colds. The most important thing is proper preparation.

For treatment, take 0.5 liters of quality wine, heat it a little and add 5 clove buds and a pinch of cinnamon. Mulled wine is ready. Adults are recommended to drink it as a stand-alone drink; teenagers should add a few teaspoons of alcoholic beverage to their tea.

There are many recipes for mulled wine, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without cooking for several weeks, since heat treatment evaporates and destroys its vitamins and aromatic substances. It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired. Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.

For diabetes
In medicine, cloves are actively used for diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels, neutralizes the effects of histamine, and regulates the patient’s weight.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 20 buds.
♦ Water - 250 ml.

How to prepare: Pour over the buds hot water. Let the mixture sit for 12 hours, then strain.
How to use: Drink 75 ml infusion three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
Result: Maintaining optimal blood glucose levels.

For pancreatitis
Often included complex treatment Experts recommend using clove infusion. The effectiveness of the product largely depends on whether you follow the recommended diet when you are sick.
The given decoction recipe should be used to treat chronic pancreatitis.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 20 g.
♦ Water - 100 ml.

How to prepare: Pour cold cloves boiled water. Leave the product for 8 hours, then strain.
How to use: Take 1 tbsp infusion. three times a day.
Result: Elimination of symptoms of pancreatitis.

For a cold, 5 buds of clove spice should be ground in a mortar to a powder, then poured into a glass of boiling milk. Wait 20 minutes, strain the broth and consume warm - drink in slow sips, holding the liquid in your mouth.

Clove tincture

Clove tincture has healing properties. It can be used to prevent colds and viral diseases, increasing immunity, for bronchitis, sore throat. The remedy is also taken for neuroses. The product is used externally for arthritis and rheumatism. To prepare the tincture at home, use the recipe below.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 25 buds.
♦ Vodka - 250 ml.

How to prepare: Pour cloves into a glass container and fill with vodka. Close the jar with a lid. Leave the product for a week, shaking occasionally.

How to use: Take tincture 1 tsp. before eating.

Cloves (spice): beneficial properties for children

The use of hot spice for adults and children differs significantly. Babies, of course, need very small doses, otherwise health problems cannot be avoided. For example, to remove helminths, a mixture of ground flax seeds and cloves is prepared in a ratio of 10:1. Apply 3 grams per 7 kilograms of weight.

Clove essential oil will protect your baby from annoying mosquitoes. It is absolutely harmless for children, unlike most anti-mosquito drugs, which have a wide range of contraindications and side effects.

Tea with cloves – a spicy aroma or a healthy drink?

Cloves, poured into boiling water or added to tea, represent a rich aromatic taste, its medicinal properties are especially valued in winter and autumn.

We list the main beneficial properties of tea with cloves:
♦ Eliminates physical tension, relaxes after working day and stress
♦ Combats muscle spasms
♦ Eliminates stomach cramps
♦ Helps activate digestion processes
♦ Helps with diarrhea
♦ Removes painful sensations in the throat during colds
♦ Prevents the development of cancer cells, being an auxiliary medicine for oncological diseases.

There are many recommendations for brewing tea with cloves; the differences lie only in achieving different aromatic effects. In the classic method of preparation, several dried buds are added to tea, the drink is infused for 5 minutes, and then consumed in small sips.

Tea recipe for colds
The beneficial properties of clove tea are known to many during colds. Spice added to tea helps fight viral infections, a warm drink is recommended to be consumed as a preventive measure in winter and autumn.

Prepare the following ingredients:

♦ Purified boiled water – 0.5 l
♦ 2 clove buds
♦ A little ginger
♦ A tablespoon of tea leaves
♦ Half a cinnamon stick or a small pinch of dried spice
♦ Lemon slice
♦ 3 tablespoons orange juice
♦ Sugar to taste

Place the ginger, cinnamon and cloves covered with water in a small saucepan. Boil the decoction and pour it into a brew of black or green tea, after 5 minutes add lemon, sugar and Orange juice. Drink aromatic tea 3 times a day at home or at work.

Another recipe has no less beneficial properties of clove tea during a cold and will appeal to all milk lovers. To prepare it you will need:

♦ Boiled milk – 0.5 l
♦ Water – 200 ml
♦ Tea brew – 3 teaspoons
♦ Cloves – 3 buds
♦ Grated ginger

Pour dried ginger buds with a glass of water and bring to a boil, add tea leaves, let the tea brew for 5 minutes. Strain the warm drink through cheesecloth or a sieve, add boiled milk. Tea with milk and cloves is ready to be poured into cups and consumed.

Contraindications to the use of cloves

At all times, cloves have been used for healing, but it is important to know when you can use the bud of the flower, and when only the cap. The beneficial properties of the clove spice are very popular among adherents of folk and traditional medicine and contraindications to the plant should be taken into account before using it. Therefore, before treatment, carefully study the recipe.

If you use cloves to prepare marinades or dishes that involve the addition of alcoholic beverages, then the bitterness of the spice can quickly be extracted in the alcohol itself, bringing no benefit, but only worsening the aromatic properties of the dish.

There is a group of people who should not include cloves in their daily diet:
1. Children under 2 years old should avoid this type of spice.
2. For pregnant women and during lactation, the concentration of spice should be reduced several times, based on a specific recipe.
3. Availability high pressure is a reason to avoid cloves, as it helps to increase it.
4. Individual intolerance to clove spice - expressed in allergic manifestations on the skin.

How to choose a clove

To really get help from cloves in a number of different diseases, you need to make sure of its suitability. And it's very easy to do. Take one dry bud and forcefully throw it into a glass of water. The carnation should either sink or float on the surface of the water with the inflorescence up, that is, vertically. If the clove lies horizontally, it means that it no longer has medicinal properties, because its essential oils have evaporated.

ratings, average:

In every home in the kitchen there is a jar of clove buds.

Perhaps take a fresh look at the spice jar and take advantage of the beneficial properties of cloves?

The unusual-looking buds of the clove tree are famous not only for their pungent taste and spicy aroma, but also for their healing effects. This spice has long been used in traditional medicine recipes for the prevention and even treatment of certain diseases. So, we read about the unique medical properties of the unopened buds of the Syzygium clove tree in this article.

Chemical composition fragrant cloves.

Just one bud, but what a variety of nutrients! The chemical composition of cloves is unusually large. Its beneficial properties are explained high content vitamins, minerals and, of course, essential oil.

Vitamins of clove buds: provitamin A (beta-carotene), B vitamins (B1, B2, B3 or PP, B4, B6, B9), vitamin C ( ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin K (phylloquinone). Cloves contain useful minerals: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc.

There is the same amount of tannins in cloves, as well as glycosides and mucus. If we consider the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, then cloves contain 6% proteins, 20% lipids, and about 27% carbohydrates. Approximately 30% of the spice is fiber.

8 beneficial properties of cloves.

No wonder cloves are a powerful medicine, just look at its composition.

Actions of cloves:

Bactericidal;

Anthelmintic (helminthic);

Antifungal (fungicidal);

Pain reliever;

Antispasmodic;

Wound healing;

Carminative (for flatulence)

Anti-carcinogenic.

Many pathogenic microorganisms are afraid of cloves: for example, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus alba, diphtheria bacillus and even the causative agent of anthrax, etc. Fragrant cloves suppress the proliferation of tuberculosis bacillus. Cloves can be used effectively to prevent influenza.

When eating cloves, the production of digestive juices is stimulated, which is useful for gastritis with low acidity and decreased appetite. But in case of high acidity and stomach ulcers, the use of this remedy is contraindicated.

Cloves are used in the treatment of inflammation in the large intestine (colitis), intestinal colic, flatulence (carminative effect), diseases of the rectum, and liver.

When industrial pharmacies were widespread, special dental painkillers and bactericidal agents were prepared with eugenol, which is part of fragrant cloves.

This spice can relieve toothache, has a beneficial effect on gums, and is used for gingivitis and periodontitis. Dried clove buds are an excellent alternative to chewing gum because... neutralizes harmful bacteria and eliminates bad breath.

The B complex of vitamins, which is so necessary for our nervous system, can be obtained from your favorite spice. It is no coincidence that clove extract is included in the German drug Doppelhertz Melissa, which has a calming effect.

Due to the eugenol it contains, cloves effectively fight the growth of cancer cells. This has been shown by recent research by scientists in the field of anti-carcinogenic agents.

Surprisingly, cloves have two opposite effects at once: it tones and relieves spasms. She can relax and tone at the same time. On the one hand, cloves can relieve spasms of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, on the other hand, they can tone the muscles of the uterus and raise blood pressure (therefore, cloves are contraindicated for people with arterial hypertension). The whole question, as always, is in the dosage.

Recipes.

A wonderful recipe for heart health is mulled wine, which is prepared using fragrant cloves. There are many recipes for mulled wine, but cloves and cinnamon are most often used. Usually mulled wine is boiled, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without cooking for several weeks, since heat treatment evaporates and destroys its vitamins and aromatic substances. It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired.

Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.

For problems with the oral cavity, toothache, inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, and bad breath, it is useful to chew clove buds. The same actions will prevent the onset of a sore throat.

To stimulate digestion, 15 minutes before meals, carefully chew 1-2 buds of cloves with 1 teaspoon of honey. However, this is contraindicated for stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as high blood pressure.

For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.

Clove oil is effective in treating pustules and boils. Apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil to the boil. For problem skin, take baths with clove essential oil.

Clove oil is widely used for arthritis and arthrosis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (15 drops of clove essential oil per 1 tablespoon of massage oil).

There are traditional medicine tips for preparing decoctions from the buds of the clove tree. However, the medicinal value of such drugs will be small, since heat treatment destroys the substances that make up the buds.

How to choose cloves.

A brittle, overly dry bud indicates a lack of essential oils. When you throw a high-quality kidney into water, it floats vertically, with its stem down, or sinks to the bottom of the glass. If the “clove” lies horizontally on the surface of the water, then there are no essential oils in it. Such cloves are not suitable for medicinal purposes.

Be healthy!

Chemical composition of fragrant cloves

Just one bud, but what a variety of nutrients! The chemical composition of cloves is unusually large. Its beneficial properties are explained by the high content of vitamins, minerals and, of course, essential oil.
Vitamins of clove buds: provitamin A (beta-carotene), B vitamins (B1, B2, B3 or PP, B4, B6, B9), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin K (phylloquinone). Cloves contain useful minerals: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc.
It contains a considerable amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
20% of one bud is essential oil containing aromatic substances eugenol, caryophyllene, ylangene, etc.
There is the same amount of tannins in cloves, as well as glycosides and mucus.
If we consider the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, then cloves contain 6% proteins, 20% lipids, and about 27% carbohydrates. Approximately 30% of the spice is fiber.

8 Health Benefits of Cloves

It's no surprise that cloves are a powerful medicine, just look at their composition.

Actions of cloves:
1. bactericidal;
2. anthelmintic (helminthic);
3. antifungal (fungicidal);
4. pain reliever;
5. antispasmodic;
6. wound healing;
7. carminative (for flatulence)
8. anti-carcinogenic.

Cloves are used in the treatment of inflammation in the large intestine (colitis), intestinal colic, flatulence (carminative effect), diseases of the rectum, and liver.

When industrial pharmacies were widespread, special dental painkillers and bactericidal agents were prepared with eugenol, which is part of fragrant cloves.

Due to the eugenol it contains, cloves effectively fight the growth of cancer cells. This has been shown by recent research by scientists in the field of anti-carcinogenic agents.

Has excellent properties

Recipes

A great recipe for heart health is mulled wine, which is prepared using fragrant cloves. There are many recipes for mulled wine, but cloves and cinnamon are most often used. Usually mulled wine is boiled, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without cooking for several weeks, since heat treatment evaporates and destroys its vitamins and aromatic substances. It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired. Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.
For problems with the oral cavity, toothache, inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, and bad breath, it is useful to chew clove buds. The same actions will prevent the onset of a sore throat.
To stimulate digestion, 15 minutes before meals, carefully chew 1-2 buds of cloves with 1 teaspoon of honey. However, this is contraindicated for stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as high blood pressure.
For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.
Clove oil is effective in treating pustules and boils. Apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil to the boil. For problem skin, take baths with clove essential oil.
Clove oil is widely used for arthritis and arthrosis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (15 drops of clove essential oil per 1 tablespoon of massage oil).
There are traditional medicine tips for preparing decoctions from the buds of the clove tree. However, the medicinal value of such drugs will be small, since heat treatment destroys the substances that make up the buds.

How to choose a clove

Clove spice - beneficial properties and contraindications

Let’s not talk about the magical properties of this plant, although they exist, but let’s immediately move on to a completely materialistic problem. What is the treatment, benefits and harms of clove spice? They are determined by biochemical composition. And he is very rich! It is not for nothing that this plant is included in the official herbal pharmacopoeia of some countries, for example, Great Britain. The most significant substances include:

phytosterols (256 mg);
essential oils (up to 20%);
vitamin A (27 mcg);
vitamin E (8.53 mg);
vitamin C (80 mg);
vitamin PP (1.45 mg);
vitamin B2 (0.27 mg);
vitamin B6 (0.59 mg);
choline (37.4 mg);
vitamin K (141.7 mcg);
potassium (1103 mg);
calcium (645 mg);
magnesium (265 mg);
phosphorus (105 mg);
manganese (30 mg);
selenium (5.8 µg).

photo of a clove tree during budding and flowering

Medicinal properties of clove spice

Due to the fact that flower buds contain a lot of calcium and magnesium, they improve the synthesis of many enzymes involved in protein and energy metabolism. At the same time, carbohydrate metabolism is normalized, in particular, optimal sugar levels are maintained. This is why cloves should not be ignored by those who suffer diabetes mellitus And . Very often, cloves are included in the top plants for weight loss.

Flower buds of the clove tree are shown in gastritis with low acidity. Biologically active compounds enhance the production of gastric juice and stimulate digestion, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire digestive tract. As a result, not only digestion improves, but also appetite increases, pain is relieved and healing of wounds on the mucous membrane improves.

Why else do you need to chew cloves? And not only chew, but also use as a spice and infusion for drinks. The carminative, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action of the extractive substances of clove buds helps to quickly get rid of inflammation in the large intestine. At the same time, the condition of the liver and the tone of the bile ducts improves. Therefore, for colic and flatulence, fragrant flower buds will come in handy.

The spice has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. This is especially pronounced in relation to white and golden staphylococcus, diphtheria and tuberculosis bacilli. It is advisable to take cloves for a sore throat and other diseases caused by bacteria.

Cloves are good for chewing and brewing into tea. for the flu, as its antiviral properties help delay the development of this disease.

What else is clove spice useful for? The biologically active complex contains a large dose of eugenol essential oil. It is this compound that causes a carcinogenic effect and is used in complex therapy for cancer treatment.

If you chew several buds at a time, you can raise your blood pressure. That's why hypotension- This is one of the indications for the use of flower buds of a tropical tree.

Due to the fact that spicy raw materials contain a lot of phytosterols, it good for women, especially during menopause and during childbirth to stimulate insufficient labor. Sometimes cloves are also used to normalize the menstrual cycle.

Clove spice - contraindications

Despite the widest range of beneficial properties, cloves also have direct contraindications for use. If you do not take them into account, you can cause significant harm to your body. You should not chew cloves often and use them in cooking if you have:

Increased stomach acidity.
Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
High blood pressure.
Increased uterine tone during pregnancy.
Feeding the baby with breast milk.
Individual intolerance.

How to take cloves and how to use them in cooking

Is chewing cloves beneficial? I think you have already understood that in the absence of contraindications, the answer is definitely positive. The beneficial properties of cloves appear even with a small dose - just take 1-2 buds. Clove gum will be more beneficial if you add another teaspoon of honey to it.

Chewing cloves on an empty stomach is beneficial for improving digestion. If you do this after eating, then this effect will be blurred, but you can achieve sanitation of the oral cavity, which is also good.

Different parts of the spicy buds have different degrees of aroma: the so-called petiole is more pungent, and the “cap” itself has a mild aroma. But if you chew the spice or put the entire bud in dishes and drinks, then this subtlety will not be noticeable.

First and second courses

The more subtle the clove flavor you want, the later you add the spice to the dish.

Desserts and drinks

If you use clove buds for confectionery delights and compotes, then take only the caps. They will create a more delicate aroma. In such dishes, the overseas spice goes especially well with cinnamon. Some drinks are good without additional spices. For example, try making tea with cloves - the aroma is very unique.

How to choose a quality spice

There are several rules that are useful to follow if you decide to buy quality cloves. They are as follows:

The petiole of the buds should be elastic. If you press it across the paper, it leaves an oily trace. This indicates high-quality fermentation of the spice.
Try throwing cloves into water with force. If they drown or float vertically with the bud up, then this indicates that the quality is high. If they float horizontally on the water, this means that the heavy essential oils have already been lost and there is no point in using the spice for treatment or cooking.
You only need to buy whole buds. Ground cloves lose their medicinal properties very quickly. Therefore, even at home, if you have ground a spice, do not store it for a long time.

I hope that the information about the beneficial properties and contraindications of the fragrant spice of cloves was useful to you. You can choose the method of application for yourself. Some people like to chew cloves, others will prefer to flavor dishes with it, and others will prefer hot tea or mulled wine with aromatic additives. The main thing is that the chosen option improves your well-being and brings pleasure.

Good health to you!

Clove spice is the unopened dried flower buds of the clove tree. It is one of the common seasonings found in Asian countries such as India, Indonesia, Pakistan, East Africa and others. Since ancient times, it has been a popular flavoring agent for various culinary dishes. Many people know it as one of the ingredients in gingerbread dough or mulled wine. But few people know about the medicinal properties of clove tree buds.

Clove spice description where it grows

It belongs to a family of plants called Myrtleaceae, genus Syzygum. It is an evergreen tree growing in tropical and subtropical climates. The Moluccas Islands are considered its homeland. According to scientists, it was from there that it came to India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and other regions.

The clove tree itself is a shrub or low tree with leathery, elliptical, dark green leaves.

It blooms with small purple-red flowers collected in half-umbrellas. From a botanical point of view, the fruit is considered a false berry.

Flowering occurs twice a year, giving a good harvest each time. The collected buds are dried in the sun until the smell appears. Drying stops when the buds lose 50 percent of their moisture content. When grinding such buds, a characteristic cracking sound is heard.

The seasoning was brought to Europe by Arab traders in the fourth century. But only in the seventh and eighth centuries they began to use it as a preservative for food products. Although the cost of growing and producing cloves is not very high, traders, in order to maintain high prices, kept the origin of the spice a strictly secret.

Only in the Middle Ages did the Portuguese discover the growing region, and from the 17th century the Dutch gained main control over the clove growing areas. They destroyed plantations of the plant on other islands in order to control the price and maintain control over production and sale.

But in the 18th century, the French managed to export clove seeds and seedlings from the Moluccas to their territories in Mauritania.

Today, the largest suppliers of the spice are Indonesia, Tanzania and Madagascar.

What are the benefits of clove spice?

Despite his small size clove buds are rich in many useful substances. It contains:

Vitamins: K, C, E, group B;

Minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus, sodium, selenium and others;

Carbohydrates;

Essential oil;

Antioxidants.

Fiber can prevent constipation and improve bowel function,

Vitamin C will help strengthen the immune system.

Vitamin K is important for normalizing blood clotting.

Manganese is important element to maintain the functions of the brain and skeletal system.

Antioxidants are compounds that reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals, thereby preventing the development of certain chronic diseases.

A special place is occupied by the presence of essential oil in the buds. More than 50 percent of it is a compound called evengol, which can also act as an antioxidant.

Together with other biochemical substances, evengol gives cloves many properties, including:

Hepatoprotective;

Antimicrobial;

Anti-inflammatory.

Clove spice medicinal properties

In addition to their pleasant aroma, cloves are known for their powerful medicinal properties. The earliest recorded use of cloves for medicinal purposes dates back to 240 BC. Local peoples use all parts of the plant for treatment: buds, stems and leaves of the plant.

It has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine in India and China.

To the main medicinal properties This spice can include the following properties:

Antiseptic;

Anti-inflammatory;

Antispasmodic;

Antimicrobial;

Antibacterial;

Diuretics;

Sweatshops;

Painkillers;

Antihelmintic.

It is used for diseases associated with the respiratory system, infections digestive system and urinary tract.

One of the few conducted scientific research has shown that the essential oil is effective against bacteria such as streptococci and staphylococci.

Cloves are believed to have a slight antihistamine effect. Tea prepared with cloves was used for treatment hay fever, with nasal congestion and sinusitis.

It has a positive effect on the nervous system, reduces tension, anxiety, and relieves anxiety.

The presence of tannins imparts astringent properties, which can be very beneficial for diarrhea.

The analgesic properties of evengol are used for pain of various origins, including dental pain.

Although no studies have been conducted, it is believed that this property of the spice can be used to prevent premature ejaculation.

Medicinal uses of cloves

Greater interest scientific medicine cause antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Few tests so far have shown that it may be useful in the fight against early-stage lung cancer.

These same properties are ideal for protecting organs from free radical damage, especially the liver.

One of serious illnesses is diabetes, a disease in which the amount of insulin produced by the body is insufficient or not produced at all. Since controlling blood sugar through diet is the starting point for these patients, the inclusion of foods that can control glucose is of particular interest. Research has shown that cloves may have an effect on blood sugar control.

Cloves use in folk medicine

IN folk medicine cloves were used for various diseases, including hernia and diarrhea. It was chewed to prevent bad breath, against bloating and to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in general.

Toothache;

Oral diseases;

Muscle and joint pain, including pain from arthritis and injuries;

For eye diseases;

Low blood pressure;

Poor digestion and liver dysfunction.

It improves digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes, reduces gas formation, stomach irritation, dyspepsia and nausea. Clove buds should be crushed, mixed with honey and taken for digestive disorders.

In gynecology, it is used to stabilize the menstrual cycle.

To overcome the desire for alcohol, you need to put two buds of cloves in your mouth and hold them in your mouth without chewing or swallowing.

There is no scientific evidence to support health benefits for many uses. But it has a centuries-old history of use among many peoples. One way to do this is to chew one or two buds.

For toothache, essential oil is often used, which should be dropped onto a cotton pad and placed on the sore tooth or gum.

You can rub the gums around the sore tooth with ground cloves.

For respiratory diseases, colds, and flu, cloves are added to tea. It is also used as an expectorant for coughs with phlegm.

Clove oil is used to rub and massage sore joints for rheumatism and arthritis.

For wounds and bruises, apply compresses with oil, after diluting it with carrier oil.

To get rid of headaches, grind a few buds and mix with rock salt. Add this mixture to a glass of milk. It will quickly and effectively reduce headaches.

To relieve headaches in climbers, drink 2 cups of clove tea before climbing. This tea will thin the blood and improve oxygen delivery to the brain.

In Asian countries, cloves are considered an aphrodisiac and prevent early orgasm in men.

Mask with cloves, honey and a few drops lemon juice may help treat acne. Keep the mask on your face for 20 minutes and then wash off.

Instead of store-bought mouth freshener, use cloves. Infuse the buds and other herbs, such as rosemary or mint. This rinse aid will prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria and eliminate unpleasant odors.

To make a homemade natural air freshener for your home, boil an orange peel with a few cloves, cool and pour into a spray bottle.

To refresh and add a pleasant smell to your linen closet, place the buds on the shelves, wrapping them in fabric.

Clove infusion

For treatment in folk medicine, not only whole or ground clove buds are used, but also infusions, decoctions, alcohol tinctures, and in the form of tea.

To prepare the infusion, take several bottles (about 0.5 teaspoon) and brew a glass of boiling water. Cover with a saucer and let sit for one hour.

The infusion is drunk for digestive disorders, flatulence, bloating, and low blood pressure, 1/2 teaspoon three times a day.

You can use it as a lotion for:

Add to water when taking baths and gargling for colds.

Cloves for asthma

Pour 6 buds of spice into 30 ml of water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cool slightly and add no more than one teaspoon of honey. Drink this decoction three times a day.

For vomiting and nausea

Mix ground cloves on the tip of a knife with a small amount natural honey(about 1 teaspoon) and keep in your mouth until the entire mixture has dissolved.

Alcohol tincture of cloves

To make an alcohol tincture, you need to pour 25 buds with 250 ml of vodka and leave for a week in a dark place.

The tincture is used for rubbing or in the form of compresses for pain in muscles and joints, neuralgia. After use, the sore spot should be wrapped in a warm scarf or scarf. The compress can be kept for 30 minutes to one hour.

Headache tincture

A tincture of cloves in dry red wine will help with headaches. To prepare it, pour 100 grams of buds with one liter of wine and leave for one month and a half. Shake the bottle periodically during the infusion process. Strain the finished tincture and drink 30-50 ml. it will help cope with insomnia.

How to store cloves

Cloves can be bought in buds or ground. The buds retain their freshness and beneficial properties longer. Unfortunately, if stored improperly, it can lose its aroma and properties. Therefore, store it in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark place. If stored in glass jar, make sure it is not exposed to sunlight.

Use of cloves in cooking

Cloves have a unique aroma that is different from other spices. It cannot be confused with any other. It is widely used in Food Industry, adding to flour products, sauces, ketchups, alcoholic drinks, various mixtures of seasonings.

It should be used in very small quantities, since in large doses it will overwhelm the aroma of other herbs and spices.

In a home forge it is added to:

Homemade syrups;

An orange stuffed with buds is a traditional decoration for the Christmas and New Year's tables in many countries.

Contraindications for use

Carnation in large quantities contraindicated in high blood pressure. Clove oil should be handled with extreme caution. If undiluted, it can cause burns and irritation to the skin. Always dilute it with a carrier oil.

The use of essential oils during pregnancy, breastfeeding and small children is prohibited.

Cloves may slow platelet activity, which may interfere with the action of anticoagulant medications. It is phototoxic. Therefore, do not go out into the sun immediately after using the oil.

In large quantities it is contraindicated for:

Exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers;

Exacerbation of gastritis, especially with high acidity.

Particular care should be taken when treating people with mental disorders and individual intolerance.

If you adhere to these rules and take all precautions, then this spice will become not only a culinary seasoning, but also a medicine.