Dried cloves. [From Wikipedia] | Cloves are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree. An evergreen native to Indonesia and India that grows from eight to twelve meters in height, the clove tree produces flower buds in clusters that are pale in color at first, become green, and then bright red, when they are ready for harvesting. Dried cloves are brown, hard, and nail-like in shape. The English name derives from the Latin clavus (nail); the French word for nail is clou. | | As a spice, in whole or powder form, cloves are used in cuisines all around the world. They are also used as a food preservative. One has to think only of a ham garnished with whole cloves to realize how ubiquitous and versatile the use of the spice has become. The clove scent is common to perfumes, and using cloves in oranges as a decorative pomander is a popular European tradition during the Christmas holiday season. Clove oil has both antiseptic and anesthetic properties; for example, it has been used in treating toothache for centuries. While many Asian countries have developed numerous therapeutic uses for the spice, Western culture has generally underrated its potential as a herbal remedy. (Note, though, some of the early eighteenth-century medicinal uses in England in Elizabeth Blackwell’s description below.) Blackwell’s description: - The Trunk of this Tree grows about the Bigness of a Man’s Waist, the Leaves resemble those of ye Bay, in shape size and Colour; the Flower is red, and the Seed a reddish Brown.
- It grows in the Molucca Islands, in the East Indies; and this Specimen was taken from a Branch of the Tree at Sr. Hans Sloan’s. [Sir Hans Sloane, 1660–1753, was a British physician whose natural history collection became a foundation of the British Museum.]
- Cloves are esteem’d healing, drying, cordial, cephalic and Stomatic; being good to stop Vomiting, strengthen a weak Stomach, expel Wind, prevent Fainting and malignant Distemper. The Distill’d Oyl is said to cure the Tooth-Ach, a Bit of Line being dipp’d in it, and put into the Hollow Tooth.
- Greek, Καρυόφυλλον. Latin, Caryophyllus. Spanish, Clavos. Italian, Garofoli. French, Girofle. German, Negelen. Dutch, Negelein.
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Elizabeth Blackwell, “The Clove, Carophyllus aromaticus.” Plate 338 from volume 2 of Blackwell’s A Curious Herbal, Containing Five Hundred Cuts, of the Most Useful Plants, Which Are Now Used in the Practice of Physic: . . . To Which Is Added a Short Description of Ye Plants; and Their Common Uses in Physic (London, 1739). [Rare Books Division] |
A Curious Herbal is a large, two-volume work with gloriously colored plates, by Blackwell’s own hand, which she painstakingly achieved over several years while Alexander, her physician husband, languished in debtors’ prison. (She would bring him the completed plates, and he would supply some medicinal information, including the plants’ names, in Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Dutch.) In fact, she had begun the work in an effort to raise funds to free him—and ultimately succeeded. Alexander later became court physician to Frederick I of Sweden, where the couple had gone to start a new life. But he got involved in diplomatic intrigue, was convicted of conspiracy against the crown, and was decapitated in 1747. Little is known of what became of Elizabeth Blackwell after her husband’s execution, but her plates are a testament to something lasting and beautiful. |
FAQs
Chewing 1-2 cloves daily on an empty stomach could lower your blood sugar, prevent tooth decay and promote digestive health. Know all benefits from a nutritionist.
How many cloves a day to fight infection? ›
Clove is anti microbial and anti viral and it is very potent so healthy people who have balanced amount of gut flora may be able to handle good amounts of cloves like 3–7 per day but if you have like imbalanced of bacteria in the large intestine or small intestine , the potent clove can kill a lot of bad bacteria , its ...
What did cloves do to the body? ›
Cloves are full of antioxidants, including eugenol. Antioxidants help your body fight free radicals, which damage your cells. By removing free radicals from your system, the antioxidants found in cloves can help lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
What does a recipe mean when it says cloves? ›
A clove is the dry, unopened flower bud of the tropical myrtle tree family and is used to flavour a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Cloves can be used whole or ground to impart a strong, sweet, spicy flavour, so should be used in moderation to avoid over seasoning.
How much is 2 cloves? ›
A: 1 medium-size clove Garlic equals 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic, this is around 5 g / . 18 oz. So for 2 cloves you should add 2-3 teaspoons.
What does clove and cinnamon water do to the body? ›
Cloves bring in those eugenol compounds, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant warriors that shield your heart from stress and inflammation, lowering that heart disease risk. Cinnamon is your blood pressure and cholesterol sidekick, cutting down those risk factors and keeping your heart healthy.
What is the best way to consume cloves? ›
As such, Poon recommends sprinkling cloves into smoothies, rice dishes, or desserts as an easy way to boost your daily antioxidant consumption.
What does drinking boiled cloves do? ›
Cloves also have antiseptic, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that keep common infections, cold, and cough at bay. 3. Drinking this tea will help you improve your digestion. Healthy digestion will help you lose weight quickly.
What happens if we drink clove water daily? ›
Cloves are known for their immunity-boosting properties, and taking cloves daily can purify your blood, increase body immunity, and prevent you from colds, flu, bronchitis, viral infections, and so on.
Can I eat raw cloves? ›
Eating clove: Eating small amounts is not likely to cause you harm. In fact, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved clove buds and clove oil as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as an additive in food.
Whatever the case, this is a question that comes up a lot. There's no precise answer to it because, as we discussed above, cloves come in different sizes, but here's a general rule of thumb: 1 clove of garlic equals 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What does eating 2 cloves a day do? ›
Cloves are the number one and most potent dietary source of polyphenols. Polyphenols are micronutrients that we absorb when we eat plants. They have great benefits for our body: they lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve the function and flexibility of the arteries, and increase longevity.
What is the best way to take cloves daily? ›
“The anti-inflammatory properties, epigenetic cues, and mitochondrial activity found in antioxidant-rich foods contribute to longevity and vitality,” Poon says. As such, Poon recommends sprinkling cloves into smoothies, rice dishes, or desserts as an easy way to boost your daily antioxidant consumption.
What is one clove equivalent to? ›
Whatever the case, this is a question that comes up a lot. There's no precise answer to it because, as we discussed above, cloves come in different sizes, but here's a general rule of thumb: 1 clove of garlic equals 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What does 4 cloves equal? ›
Generally, four cloves of garlic will equal approximately one tablespoon when minced or chopped. Of course, variables such as the size of a clove, how finely chopped it is, or whether it has been crushed can affect this number, so some slight variations are possible.
