Health benefits of Clove – the Delicately Fragrant Bud, Its Health Benefits, Healing Power, and Spiritual Significance
Clove is a tree native to Indonesia. Its dried flower buds are a popular spice and are also used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Few people know this, but clove can also be an ingredient in cigarettes.
Clove – Nutritional content per teaspoon (approx. 2 grams):
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Calories: 6 kJ
- Manganese: 30% of the recommended daily dose (about 55% of the daily value)
- Vitamin K: 2% of the daily recommended intake
- Eugenol
- Nigecrin
- Vitamin C: 3% of the daily value
Health Benefits
Effects of Manganese:
Essential for brain function and the formation of strong bones.
Clove is a plant rich in antioxidants. It reduces oxidative stress, which contributes to the development of chronic diseases. The eugenol content in clove also acts as a natural antioxidant in the body.
Scientific experiment: Compared to
Vitamin E
Eugenol was found to be five times more effective at stopping oxidative damage caused by free radicals than Vitamin E. Therefore, the compounds in clove may offer protection against cancer.
Research has shown that it helped halt tumor growth and promoted cancer cell death.
In the case of esophageal cancer cells, clove caused cell death in 80% of the cases.
Moreover, it also promoted apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.
Taking eugenol for a week reduced levels of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), an enzyme family involved in detoxification and often an indicator of liver disease.
Nigecrin has been shown to increase glucose uptake from the blood and promote insulin production.
Experiments with manganese demonstrated improvements in osteoporosis markers, increased bone density, and strengthened bones.
Clove also exhibits antibacterial effects against gram-negative bacteria.
However, overdose may cause liver damage, particularly in children. (As little as 5–10 ml of clove oil can be harmful to a 2-year-old.)
Health effects:
- Strengthens the immune system
- Detoxifying effect
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial (destroyed three common types of bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella, gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and P. acnes, which causes inflammatory skin responses)
- Supports blood sugar regulation
- Calming
- Acts as an anesthetic and pain reliever
- Reduces nausea
- Has anti-ulcer properties
- Inhibits the growth of Listeria – helpful against food poisoning
- Increases bone density
- Effective in relieving joint pain
- Can aid in treating acne-prone skin
- Due to its eugenol content, it slows down blood clotting
- Hair growing
Recommended daily dosage depends on the form in which it’s consumed:
- Dried form: up to 3 grams per day
- In tea: up to 3 times 20 drops of tincture per day
- As essential oil: 0.05–0.2 grams diluted in a carrier oil to avoid allergic reactions
Natural remedies
Dried Clove Recipe:
Tea: Prepare an infusion using a maximum of 3 grams of dried herb with 250 ml of water. Let steep for 10–15 minutes.
Mouthwash: Tea tree oil, clove, and basil mouthwash
Hair growing: Mix rosemary oil, coconut oil, and 2 teaspoons of dried clove. Let the mixture sit for a day, then use it as a hair mask.
Spiritual Benefits
Spiritual Uses of Clove:
Protection:
Clove is often used in spells and rituals to ward off negative energy, evil spirits, and psychic attacks.
Purification:
Burning clove or using clove oil can help cleanse a space of stagnant or harmful energy.
Healing:
Clove is believed to support emotional and spiritual healing, promoting clarity, peace, and inner strength.
Prosperity and Abundance:
Clove is used in rituals and spells to attract wealth, success, and luck.
Love and Relationships:
Its warm, spicy scent is associated with love and attraction, fostering loyalty and trust in relationships.
Intuition and Insight:
Clove is believed to enhance intuition, helping individuals trust their instincts and inner wisdom.
Spiritual Guidance:
Some believe that the scent of clove can offer guidance and wisdom from the spiritual realm.
Connection with Ancestors:
Clove is sometimes used to facilitate communication with ancestors and the spirit world.
Clarity and Focus:
It may enhance mental clarity, focus, and concentration.
Heart Healing:
The aroma of clove is said to soothe heartache and support emotional healing.
Spiritual Growth:
Clove is often associated with spiritual evolution and personal development.
Energy Clearing Methods Using Clove:
Burning:
Burn whole cloves or clove powder as incense to cleanse a space and dispel negative energy.
This method is said to create a sense of renewal and purity.
Simmering:
Simmer cloves in water and use the infused liquid to clean floors, windowsills, and doors.
Sprinkle the clove water around the home, especially in corners and entrances, to banish negativity.
Under the Pillow:
Place a few cloves under your pillow to ward off nightmares and protect your aura during sleep.
It is believed to promote restful sleep and a sense of safety.
Other Methods:
- Feng Shui: Incorporate clove into Feng Shui practices to attract positive energy and abundance.
- Spiritual Rituals: Use clove in various spiritual ceremonies to cleanse energy and attract good fortune.
- Candles: Sage or clove candles can be used in purification rituals. According to a Reddit thread, place them in a fireproof dish to catch any falling pieces.
- Bay Leaf and Camphor: Combine clove with bay leaves and camphor in a diya (oil lamp) and burn to cleanse the home and attract positive energy – as noted by The Times of India.