Natural Living Tips

Cloves, Clove (Eugenia caryophyllus / Clove)

Its aroma is strong, spicy and penetrating. Clove has been appreciated since ancient times not only as a spice added to many recipes but also because of its medicinal properties of its essential oil

Clove Description:

It belongs to the Myrtaceae family (for those of you who may be interested).  Clove is a tree that takes 20 years to develop and reaches a height that goes from 12 and 15 meters (36 to 50 feet ). The tree will produce its fruit for around 50 years. Its leaves are quite similar to those of the laurel. It has regular flowers with five petals and numerous stamens, and the rudiment of the fruit which is situated below the flower and not within it. The folded petals with the stamens form the head of the nail (we refer to nail as it looks like a nail).

History and symbolism of the Clove

The word clove Its name comes from the Latin “clavus”, meaning nail which is how the dry unopened bud looks like. For centuries, this tree was considered as “cure for everything.”

A delightful anecdote is that the people of the Moluccas or Spice Islands, used to plant a clove tree to celebrate the birth of each child. If the tree flourished, it was considered a good omen for the newborn, who would wear a spiked collar as protection against evil spirits and disease.

The medicinal properties of the clove were valued by the Greeks, Romans and Chinese: the latter would chew a clove to relieve toothache and fight bad breath. It has a long history as an antiseptic and in the prevention of infectious diseases.

This point was highlighted when the Dutch cut the cloves from the Moluccas and shortly after many epidemics occurred.

The clove became an important spice imported by the Portuguese and French. The digestive properties of this special herb are appreciated in India.

You will also find many perfumes with a clove fragrance. Its is used in the pharmaceutical industry because of its antiseptic and bactericidal properties.  A substance called eugenol, which is extracted from clove oil, is used for making toothpaste and mouthwash.

Origin and distribution of Clove:

The clove tree is native to the Moluccas, where it grows in the lands bordering the Indonesian archipelago. Indonesia produces the greatest harvest of cloves, followed by Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the island of Grenada.

Clove Extraction:

Cloves which are unopened flower buds of this tree are harvested when the tree is between 6 and 8 years old. The cloves are hand picked to avoid damage to the branches which could threaten future harvests. The buds change color from a clear to reddish dark brown as they dry in the sun.

This process cannot be speeded up as the cloves become too dry and brittle. To produce its essential oil the still unopened buds of the flowers or leaves of the tree are distilled with water or stream. The oil is heavier than water and has a yellow color that turns brown on contact with air.

Clove Features:

• From the point of view of our brains, it has a positive and stimulating effect, strengthening memory and relieving depression as well as exhaustion.
• On a physical level, it has important benefits for the digestive system and is a stimulant.
• Cloves are used to relieve vomiting, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, intestinal spasms and parasites.
• It also fights bad breath due to gastric fermentation.
• It exercises a general tonic effect on the body and stimulates the digestive system.
• It is also very effective as a local antiseptic.
• It is a very mild analgesic that is used to mitigate not only toothache, but rheumatism, arthritis, mouth sores and headaches due to stress.
• It relieves respiratory problems and is very useful to disinfect.
• It also has aphrodisiac properties
• and mixed with orange and lemon is an excellent way of repelling insects.
• It is also used as a skin disinfectant level and for skin healing.
• It helps relax the uterus during childbirth so there is a risk of producing an abortive effect and should not be used during pregnancy.

Clove - Application Guide

Natural products available with clove and usage:

Nervous System:

It is good for the memory, invigorating, stimulating, and antidepressant. (Stove, massage dilution, baths

Digestive System:

Relieves vomiting, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, intestinal spasms and parasites (dilution massages, compresses)

Immune System:

Prevents infections and help relieve respiratory infections. (Inhalation of stove, vaporizing)

For our motor system:

Rheumatism, arthritis. (Massage in dilution, bathrs

For the Skin:

Used for wounds, ulcers and infections (dilution)

Products that contain Clove:

Eucasol
Oil 31
Herbal Cream 31
Rosemary Bath Essence

Caution:
For external use only. At high concentrations it can irritate the skin. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Do not use in children or pregnant women.

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Healing herbs have a very long history. Before anything else herbs were the only medicines around. Knowledge was passed on from generation to generation.

Keepers of this knowledge were revered by their tribes. They were probably discovered over time by observing other animals taking them and by trial and error. The error side of things must have been expensive in terms of life and health.

But no matter how they were discovered, they are gifts of nature we should treasure and use.
Modern drugs are in fact derived from nature so in a round about way, medical science still believes in them. In fact there is a very interesting trend where many formally and scientifically trained physicians are combining modern and traditional medicine - with excellent results.
Healing herbs can help prevent illnesses, can cure illnesses and can help reduce secondary effects of modern drugs.
Below you will find 5 highly beneficial medicinal herbs that are:

• less expensive
• easily available
• and have clear medicinal benefits

Aloe Vera. This is now wildly recognized and used. The gel is taken by making a cut on the leaves. It can be applied to cuts and burns. Many people use it as a sort of cream against wrinkles and making the skin smoother. It is also effective against infections and also used for constipation. Application: Topically (don’t ingest)
Balm, Lemon. As a compression you can apply it on cuts and abrasions. In the form of an infusion it can aid your digestion. The leaves can also be placed in a bath for a relaxing soak. Application: Infusion or compression.
Basil. This is very good against infections, it helps with your immune system and very useful to treat acne. Application: Infusion or tincture.
Chamomile. Many people recommend you always have some chamomile leaves in the house. As tincture you can use it for inflammation of the joints, for cuts and for abrasions. It is also used to help with digestion and menstrual cramps.Application: Infusion or tincture.
Garlic. Has been used since before history began. Its beneficial properties have been known for centuries. Apart form its cooking properties, it is very good for blood circulation and therefore cardiovascular, cholesterol and blood pressure benefits. For breathing ailments such as flu, colds and coughs. Application: Infusion or tincture. You can also eat the cloves, or squash them. Even in tablet form.

Note: Herbal remedies do not replace your physician’s care. If you are undergoing treatment always consult your doctor.

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