Health benefits of cloves

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Health benefits of cloves – Cloves are a fragrant spice derived from the dried flower buds of the clove tree. Historically, spices were highly valued, often as precious as gold, and cloves were no exception. Originating in the Spice Islands near China, cloves became a staple in European and Asian cuisine by the late Middle Ages. Today, they remain a popular ingredient, adding a sweet warmth to many dishes.

What Are Ground Cloves?

Cloves can be used in two forms: whole or ground. Ground cloves are typically added to spice blends, while whole cloves provide depth and flavor to a variety of recipes, such as curries, baked goods, chai tea, seasoned meats, and even Worcestershire sauce. This versatile spice is also packed with health benefits.

Common uses for cloves:

• Curries
• Baked goods
• Chai tea
• Seasoned meats
• Worcestershire sauce
• Chinese five-spice blends

Nutritional Value of Cloves

Cloves are rich in nutrients, especially manganese, which helps in enzyme function, hormone production, and bone health. It also acts as an antioxidant to protect the body from harmful free radicals, which can damage cells.

Nutrients in cloves include:

• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Beta-carotene
• Eugenol

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Teaspoon of Cloves):

• Calories: 6
• Protein: Less than 1 gram
• Fat: Less than 1 gram
• Carbohydrates: 1 gram
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Cloves owe their rich brown color to beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Carotenes, which can be converted into vitamin A, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision.

Health Benefits of Cloves

1. Reduced Inflammation: Cloves contain compounds, most notably eugenol, known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Eugenol has been found to reduce inflammation in the body, potentially lowering the risk of conditions like arthritis and managing existing symptoms.
2. Antioxidant Properties: The high antioxidant content in cloves, particularly eugenol, helps combat free radicals, which can lead to cell damage. Reducing free radicals may decrease the likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
3. Ulcer Prevention: Some studies suggest that consuming cloves in large quantities may protect the stomach from ulcers by thickening the mucus lining. This protective layer helps prevent and heal ulcers.
4. Improved Liver Function: Research indicates that the eugenol in cloves may support liver health. Studies have shown a potential reduction in the symptoms of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease with clove consumption.

Health Benefits of Clove Oil

Clove oil has a long history of use, particularly in soothing toothaches, thanks to its active component, eugenol. Eugenol acts as a natural anesthetic and has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Though clove oil helps relieve pain, more evidence is needed to confirm its ability to combat the bacteria that cause dental problems.

Potential benefits of clove oil:

• Pain relief, especially for toothaches
• Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties
• Possible protection against tooth enamel erosion

Some studies suggest that applying clove oil to teeth might help reverse damage caused by acidic foods and drinks, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Side Effects of Cloves

While cloves are generally safe when used as a spice, there are some precautions to consider:

1. Drug Interactions:
   The eugenol in cloves may interact with certain medications, particularly blood thinners like warfarin. It’s advisable to avoid clove oil or tea if you’re on such medications, though small amounts used in cooking should be safe.
2. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia):
   Cloves can help lower blood sugar, which may benefit people with diabetes. However, excessive consumption could cause hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop too low.
3. Essential Oil Toxicity:
   Pure clove essential oil contains high levels of eugenol and can be toxic if ingested. Symptoms can include dizziness and, in rare cases, coma. It’s important to avoid swallowing clove oil in its pure form.

Side Effects of Clove Oil

While clove oil can be beneficial, it should be used with caution, as high doses of eugenol—the active compound in clove oil—can lead to serious side effects.

1. Liver Toxicity

Consuming too much clove oil (10-30 mL, or about 2-6 teaspoons) can cause liver damage. Symptoms like agitation, confusion, or decreased alertness may occur within hours of ingestion. More severe cases can lead to a coma. Additionally, liver injury signs such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) may appear within 12 to 24 hours after consumption. Babies are especially vulnerable to liver damage from clove oil.

2. Allergic Reactions

Even when applied topically or orally, eugenol can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Dentists have used eugenol for over a century in dental procedures, but it has been known to trigger allergies in certain cases. Symptoms may include redness and soreness of the gums where eugenol was applied, and more severe cases can result in rashes or welts on other parts of the body.

How to Use Cloves Safely

Cloves, which are dried flower buds, are readily available in grocery and health food stores. However, they lose their potency quickly when ground. It’s best to buy whole cloves and store them in an airtight container. For recipes requiring ground cloves, grinding them fresh with a pepper mill or mortar and pestle just before use is ideal.

Ways to use cloves:

• Add ground cloves to pumpkin pie.
• Flavor chai lattes with cloves.
• Use whole cloves in pickling for spicy pickles.
• Incorporate cloves into curry dishes.
• Season meats with clove rubs.
• Use cloves in mulled wine for extra warmth.

Clove Water

Some people create clove tea or clove water by soaking whole cloves. However, there’s no solid evidence that this offers any health benefits. Since it’s hard to measure how much eugenol is in homemade clove water, consuming it may carry the risk of ingesting too much of the compound.

Takeaways

Cloves are a versatile spice that can enhance both savory and sweet dishes, such as curries and pumpkin pie. They are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help protect cells. However, clove’s natural compounds, especially eugenol, can interact with medications or cause harmful side effects. It’s safest to use cloves in cooking and baking to enjoy their benefits without risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Cloves Cure Any Diseases?

No, the FDA has not approved clove extract for treating any medical conditions. While cloves have potential health benefits, more research is needed to fully understand their effects. Always consult with a doctor before using cloves as a remedy, as they can interact with medications or cause side effects.

2. Who Should Avoid Clove Water?

Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with blood clotting disorders, diabetics, or individuals preparing for surgery (within two weeks) should avoid consuming clove water due to the potential risks of eugenol.

3. Are There Benefits to Eating Cloves at Night?

There are claims that eating cloves at night may help with issues like upset stomach, diarrhea, and coughing. However, there is no scientific data to support these claims.

Sources for the health benefits of cloves

• WebMD – Cloves
• ESHA Research Inc., Salem, OR.
• National Institutes of Health: “Manganese.”
• Archives of Disease in Childhood: “Near fatal ingestion of oil of cloves.”
• Gut: “Glutathione S-transferases in alcoholic liver disease.”
• Journal of Medicinal Food: “Protective effect of clove oil and eugenol microemulsions on fatty liver and dyslipidemia as components of metabolic syndrome.”
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: “What Is Vitamin A Deficiency?”
• American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy: “Potential Interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin.”
• LiverTox: “Eugenol (Clove Oil.)”
• Nigerian Journal of Physiological Science: “Effects of Clove and Fermented Ginger on Blood Glucose, Leptin, Insulin and Insulin Receptor Levels in High Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Rabbits.”
• Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine: “Gastrointestinal effects of Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae) in animal models.”
• Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity: “An Overview on the Anti-Inflammatory Potential and Antioxidant Profile of Eugenol.”
• Royal Museums Greenwich: “The Spice Islands.”
• Spiceography: “Cooking with Cloves.”
• UCLA Spice Exhibit: “Clove.”
• WHFoods: “Cloves.”
  Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology: “Gastroprotective activity of essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum and its major component eugenol in different animal models.”
• Cleveland Clinic: “Do Cloves Have Any Health Benefits?”
• Medline Plus: “Clove.”
• Molecules: “Anticancer Properties of Eugenol: A Review.”
• The Open Dentistry Journal: “Iatrogenic Damage to the Periodontium by Chemicals and Dental Materials.”
• BMD Case Reports: “An Unexpected Positive Hypersensitive Reaction to Eugenol.”
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences: “Biological Properties and Prospects for the Application of Eugenol—A Review.”
• Journal of Cancer Prevention: “Eugenol-rich Fraction of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Reverses Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Liver Cirrhosis and Inhibits Hepatic Cell Proliferation.”
• International Journal of Dentistry: “In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Clove Essential Oil and Its Two Active Principles on Tooth Decalcification by Apple Juice.”
• McCormick Science Institute: “Cloves.”