Cloves are the nail-like, dried, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and India. Health benefits of cloves include protection against infection, blood sugar regulation, better oral health, and other benefits.
Cloves are the nail-like, dried, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and India. The word “cloves” comes from the Latin “clavus,” which translates to “nail”. Because of their strong fragrance and intense flavor, cloves are typically used as a spice in various dishes and drinks. You may have tasted cloves in mulled wine, honey-glazed ham, or apple pie.
Cloves are an excellent source of dietary fiber, minerals, such as manganese and potassium, and essential nutrients like vitamin K. Clove extract contains flavonoids, beta carotene, thymol, eugenol, benzene, and other organic compounds.
The vitamins and minerals in cloves have significant medicinal properties and have been an ingredient in digestive function remedies of traditional Chinese medicine. Studies in modern western medicine have also shown that the organic compounds in cloves possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial elements (among others) that benefit your health and well-being.
Including cloves in your diet can positively affect your health in several areas, some of which you may not have already realized.
Cloves protect against infections
Eugenol (clove oil) is one of the main active ingredients in cloves, and it has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal attributes, which protect you against infections from various organisms.
Research on cloves is still in its early stages, and more studies are needed to see how findings apply to people. However, one study on mice found that clove essential oil can increase the white blood cell count, thus suggesting that clove intake may boost your immune system. As an antiseptic, clove oil is beneficial in killing three types of pathogenic bacteria, including the strain of E. coli that can lead to food poisoning.
Cloves regulate blood sugar
Supplementing clove extract with a balanced diet may help keep your blood sugar levels in check, particularly if you’re prediabetic or otherwise healthy. Clove extract acts like the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. One to three grams of clove per day for a month can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels.
Further, there’s an association between healthy manganese blood levels and blood sugar metabolism, adding to the suggestion that cloves may help in the prevention or control of diabetes.
Cloves help with oral care
Cloves are great for oral care because of their antimicrobial properties. The use of eugenol for treating toothache, jaw pain, and sore gums dates to the 13th century. Despite the uncommon but possible occurrence of eugenol causing contact dermatitis, eugenol is used in modern dentistry because of its antibacterial, pain-relieving, and anesthetic properties.
You’ll likely see eugenol as an ingredient in herbal toothpaste and mouthwashes, as studies have shown that clove extract can kill bacteria that cause gum disease. The Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology reported study findings that using an herbal mouthwash containing cloves for 21 days improved gum health and decreased the buildup of bacteria in the mouth.
Cloves suppress cough
Clove oil acts as an expectorant and can be effective in treating upper-respiratory ailments like cough. You can crush cloves and brew them in your tea. Clove’s anti-inflammatory properties can soothe your throat and help get rid of cough.
Cloves promote gut health
As cloves are rich in fiber and have antioxidant properties, it makes sense that they’re great promoters of gut health. Cloves have been shown to relieve indigestion and reduce gas. Eugenol may help alleviate the pain associated with peptic ulcers, which occur when the mucus layers of your stomach become thin and damaged.
Additional studies on clove extract show it likely enhances mucus production of your stomach lining, which counters ulcer discomfort. However, further research is necessary to determine if clove extract can definitively be used as an ulcer treatment.
