Cloves beneficial properties composition application. Cloves: beneficial properties and contraindications

Back in the 3rd century BC in China, it was customary to go to a reception with the emperor with a piece of a burning plant in the mouth. Since then, many have been interested in this mysterious clove spice, the beneficial properties and contraindications that arise from its frequent use. After all, even then the Chinese understood the property of this plant to freshen breath and remove bad breath.

In the Middle Ages, European healers noticed the ability of cloves to have a positive effect on the body during infectious ailments. They advised stringing small clove flowers onto a thread, making such a necklace for yourself and wearing it constantly. And in direct contact with patients, constantly chew the miraculous plant. Time has shown that the beneficial properties of cloves and the contraindications of the spice for the human body are truly worthy of our attention. What do modern examples and facts say about this? Let's try to get to know this unique overseas plant better.

A treasure trove of useful substances accessible to everyone

In its natural environment, the clove tree was found on the Philippine islands. Today it is grown in Malaysia, as well as on the east coast of the American continent. The exotic tree reaches a height of more than 20 meters and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In appearance, the plant resembles a tall pyramid, which is decorated with small grayish leaves. Miniature brown buds, reminiscent of carnations with a cap, are “hiding” between them. Each of them contains a bottomless treasure of life-giving substances, used by intelligent people for several millennia.

Having considered the beneficial properties and contraindications of the clove spice, everyone can decide for themselves the extent of its use. After all, unopened flowers of an exotic tree have been used in cooking for quite a long time. They have an amazing aroma that can change the taste of even quite simple dishes:

• fish with marinade and seasonings;
• homemade sausage and corned beef;
• meat, fish, mushroom and potato soup;
• filling for canning vegetables;
• in sweet desserts (compotes, pastries, pudding).

It is quite difficult to list all kinds of culinary masterpieces where various spices are placed in tandem with ground cloves. For example, in combination with allspice, the seasoning gives a refined taste to meat products. To obtain a special piquant taste of tonic drinks, the plant is added to coffee, punch, mulled wine, cocoa, etc. The seasoning is widely used in the Russian food industry.
For its excellent beneficial properties, cloves are placed in various sauces and canned food, which our compatriots really like.

To get an excellent dish, cloves are added at the very end of cooking. Otherwise, when cooked for a long time, it produces bitterness.

It is worth noting that dry buds of the clove tree have a pronounced aroma. They can overpower the rest of the spices in a dish and even change its taste. The smell is contained in the miniature caps of the spice, and the burning taste is contained in the petioles. Especially appreciated by gourmets are the medicinal properties of the clove seasoning that it possesses. This is one of the reasons why the seasoning is so popular in many countries around the world.

To check the quality of the bud, it is thrown into a container of water. If the spice sinks or floats vertically with its cap up, it means it is fresh and ready to use. It is better to buy it in its natural, whole form. If necessary, you can chop it, but just before preparing a culinary masterpiece. This preserves its ability to influence the internal organs of a person.

Cloves and health

To understand how cloves are useful for the body, it is important to understand what valuable substances it contains. Among other things, I would like to note just a few valuable elements:

• vitamins B, A (retinol), E (tocopherol) and K (phylloquinone);
• vegetable fiber in the form of dietary fiber (if you take 100 grams of spice, then it will contain 30 grams of fiber);
• natural ash (6 g of ash falls per 100 g of buds);
• essential oil rich in valuable compounds;
• a set of microelements (magnesium, selenium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc);
• glucose;
• all kinds of mucus;
• natural tannins;
• a series of fatty and non-fatty acids;
• carbohydrates;
• proteins.

Reflecting on the composition of the exotic spice, it becomes clear how cloves are beneficial for the body. As practice shows, regular use of spices in food helps solve the following problems:

• analgesic effect;
• antiseptic effect;
• calms nervous tension;
• kills pathogenic microbes;
• gives refreshment and tone to the body;
• promotes wound healing;
• removes fluid from the body;
• relieves internal spasms;
• effectively fights viruses.

Despite some contraindications for treatment, the beneficial properties of the spice cloves far outweigh its disadvantages. So the plant is used in the treatment of various diseases. Let's look at some of them.

Treating the throat with hot spices

Often, due to hypothermia, an unpleasant pain appears in the throat area, which you want to get rid of immediately. A fiery exotic spice comes to the rescue. It is sold at any grocery store in the form of dried brown buds.

Using cloves to treat a throat, many have noticed a positive effect. A simple tincture is prepared for this. Place 3 or 4 cloves in a glass of boiled water. Cover with a tight lid, wrap in a towel and leave for an hour and a half. The prepared tincture should be used to gargle a sore throat. In addition, the decoction should be drunk in small portions over 3 hours. This simple recipe for cloves for a sore throat is quite easy to prepare at home.

It is advisable to do the procedure no later than 18 hours, since the decoction has a tonic effect. The course of treatment lasts 6 days.

Sometimes the disease becomes chronic and may require more effort to get rid of it.
The use of clove decoction for sore throat in adults also gives a positive result. Pour boiling water over half a teaspoon of crushed spice, add a pinch of sea salt and leave for an hour. Gargle with the solution twice a day after meals. Do not stop the procedure until the disease is completely eliminated.

Cloves and pregnancy

Every woman expecting a child tries to monitor her diet. A large amount of vitamins and beneficial microelements is never superfluous. Is it possible to enjoy the taste of cloves during pregnancy? Some experts do not see anything wrong with this, the main thing is to use it in moderation. Other doctors say the spice affects a woman's nervous system, causing agitation and anxiety. Since opinions differ, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

You should not neglect the consultation of a specialist. After all, cloves are a hot spice and may not be suitable for everyone, especially for a pregnant woman.

Carnation and a gorgeous figure

In our age of electronic technology, people move little, which is why they gain excess weight. An excellent remedy for weight loss is cloves, a hot Asian spice. It is used as an aromatic tea, strong tincture or essential oil. When it is added to food, it is better absorbed. Low-calorie foods acquire excellent taste, which makes dieting an enjoyable experience.

In addition, if you know how to take cloves for the benefit of the body, the weight loss process will speed up. Moderate consumption of spices promotes better digestion and the breakdown of fats. This is a reliable way to lose weight.

Natural “chewing gum” with excellent taste

Probably every person has tried chewing gum at least once in their life. It turns out that in nature there is a burning and useful plant. Someone may ask: why chew dried cloves? The answer is simple - it brings considerable benefits to the body.

Since the spice is capable of destroying pathogenic microbes in the oral cavity, it is used to treat various dental ailments. For toothache, rub the gums with powder from the ground buds of the plant. Another option is to put the spice in your mouth and chew it slowly. Over time, the pain should go away. It is not surprising that those who have not used this method are wondering: is chewing cloves a spice for dental diseases? It's simple - you have to experience it for yourself.

To prevent the development of tooth decay, some herbalists regularly chew dry cloves. Thanks to the components included in its composition, the body receives the necessary vitamins, oils and microelements.

The beneficial properties of dried cloves help strengthen and whiten teeth. As a result, you can achieve a beautiful smile and forget about bad breath.

Objective assessment of the benefits and harms of hot spices

People often have different opinions regarding the health benefits and harms of cloves. The thing is that we are all different. Therefore, the same treatment may be effective for someone, but not help another at all. This also applies to the buds of the clove tree, which contain a huge amount of valuable elements.

Individual intolerance to the constituent components of the spice often causes harm to the body. Despite the beneficial medicinal properties of cloves and contraindications, it is widely used in cooking.
But still, it should be taken with caution by patients with gastritis and those with increased stomach acidity.

It is contraindicated to get carried away with hot spices when breastfeeding a child. Cloves will affect the taste of mother's milk and lead to the appearance of nutritional diathesis in the baby. Even worse, he may refuse to breastfeed, which will adversely affect his health.

It is not advisable to give the plant to children under three years of age. Hypertensive patients and people with mental disorders are prohibited from eating it. In this situation, the medicinal properties and contraindications of cloves will bring little benefit to the person. Only by applying a wise approach to treatment methods and health care can you enjoy a full life. And let the exotic spice exude its unsurpassed aroma for all connoisseurs of natural gifts.

Cloves in the fight against cancer - video

People call the clove tree Syzygium aromatica. And in Latin it sounds like Syzygium aromaticum.

Appearance

Cloves, which we often use for culinary purposes, are none other than the buds of the clove tree.

The tree itself is a tropical plant belonging to the myrtaceae class. The bark of the clove tree is dark gray in color. A large number of branches extend from the trunk, which are covered with dense green foliage. The oval leaves reach a length of about 25 cm. Interestingly, the upper side of the leaf is equipped with small glands.

During the flowering period, which is twice a year, the ends of the branches of the clove tree are covered with inflorescences, which are formed by semi-umbrellas. The flowers are equipped with double 1.5 cm perianths. The calyx of the flower is red. Four white petals with a pinkish tint form a corolla, from which fluffy stamens are visible. After flowering, oblong purple berries ripen on the clove tree. They are 2.5 cm long and slightly more than a centimeter wide.

The shape of a tree at a young age resembles a pyramid. As it matures, its branches begin to droop down. The height of the tree usually fluctuates around 12 m. Under favorable conditions, some representatives can grow up to 20 m. The lifespan of the clove tree is about 100 years. The entire tree is permeated with aromatic oil: leaves, bark, flowers.

Where does it grow?

Indonesia and the Malay Archipelago are the native places of the clove tree. Currently it grows in India, Sri Lanka, the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, and Tanzania. Moreover, Tanzania owns the lion's share in the production of the famous spice - 90%.

Method of making spices

When the inflorescences have gained strength, but have not blossomed, they are collected and dried. Peduncles are removed. Not every tree is suitable for harvesting. Only those older than 6 years. Drying does not require any special conditions. It is in this dried form that they reach us. The clove tree produces a rich harvest. In general, the cost of producing spices is low, which is why cloves are inexpensive.

Peculiarities

Cloves have a very pungent taste. In this case, the pungency is contained in the petiole, and the aroma is contained in the cap. A quality seasoning has an oily feel. Especially the petiole. If you press it and drag it across a piece of paper, it should leave a meaty line.

If you need ground cloves, it is better to grind them immediately before use. Store-bought ground cloves are less fragrant.

Nutritional value and calorie content

100 grams of dry clove buds contain 323 kcal.

In terms of nutritional value, cloves contain:

• Proteins – 6 g.
• Fats – 20 g.
• Carbohydrates – 27 g.

Chemical composition

• Essential oils (about 20%), the lion's share of which belongs to eugenol (85%).
• Tannins (20%).
• Dietary fiber (about 35%).
• Ash.
• Water.
• Vitamins (group B, PP, C, E, K).
• Minerals (Mg, Fe, Cu, K, Na, P, Ca, Se, Mn, Zn).

Beneficial features

Cloves have many beneficial properties that are due to the presence of eugenol in its composition:

• antiseptic;
• antispasmodic;
• antiviral (staphylococci, dysentery pathogens);
• disinfectants;
• diuretics.

Harm

• Cloves increase stomach acidity, resulting in heartburn.
• Increases muscle tone - this is harmful for a pregnant woman, as it can cause a miscarriage or harm the health of an unborn baby.

Contraindications

• Children's age (up to two years).
• High blood pressure.
• Pregnancy.
• A general state of overwork and a state of internal tension.
• Cloves should not be used by people suffering from gastritis with high stomach acidity.

Oil

Both flowers and bark are used to make oil.

Clove oil is a very useful product to have at home. It's not that difficult to make it yourself. The main ingredients are olive oil (100 ml) and clove buds (1 tbsp). Put the composition on the fire, remove after boiling. Pour the cooled oil into a convenient container and use as intended.

Properties of clove oil:

• Clove oil is a necessary remedy during cold epidemics. And if you were unable to avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon, clove oil would be the ideal remedy. Inhalations with its use will relieve cough.
• For toothache, moisten a piece of cotton wool with clove oil and place it on the sore tooth. Relief will not take long to arrive.
• Clove oil is added to basic massage oil. This composition has a beneficial effect on the condition of the patient with arthritis and arthrosis and will relieve pain and inflammatory symptoms.
• Clove oil speeds up the healing process of wounds. It is enough to apply an oil lotion to the affected area of ​​the skin.
• Fights acne.
• Clove oil is used in aromatherapy. It perfectly relieves stress and nervous irritation.
• The cosmetics industry cannot do without clove oil. It is added to various balms and creams, and flavored eau de parfum.

Application

In cooking

• One of the most widely known uses of cloves in cooking is in marinades and pickles. It is added when preserving cucumbers and tomatoes. Cloves are one of the most important ingredients in making homemade ketchup. Another advantage of this spice is its ability to enhance preservation. Try preparing a simple and aromatic tomato salad with cloves for the winter. Onions (half rings) and tomatoes (slices) are placed in jars in layers. If you took a 3 liter jar for cooking, then put 4 laurel leaves and 4 cloves on top. You can add peppercorns. Next, pour the marinade over everything. The marinade is prepared from water (liter), salt (3 teaspoons) and sugar (4 tablespoons). The marinade must be boiled in advance. Pour it over the tomatoes and onions and sterilize for 10 minutes. At the 8th minute, pour in 6 tbsp. spoons of vegetable oil and 4 tbsp. spoons of vinegar essence. Next, we roll up the hot jars with lids, turn them upside down and wrap them in a blanket until the next day.
• Confectioners use a mixture of cloves, cardamom and cinnamon when making their masterpieces. It is used to flavor sweet pastries, various compotes and puddings, mousses and punches.
• Cloves pair perfectly with black pepper. This mixture gives an indescribable aroma to meat dishes (pork, lamb). It is also used in the preparation of various sauces and complements the tender meat of turkey and chicken.
• Using cloves you can prepare a fragrant and healthy tea drink. Just throw 3 clove buds into boiling water. After 10 minutes the tea is ready. It is very important not to boil the cloves, otherwise all the beneficial substances, including the aroma, will evaporate, and the dish will acquire a bitter taste.

The aroma of cloves is very rich and pronounced. In this regard, the spice must be added to dishes very carefully. Otherwise, it will simply interrupt the taste and smell of the dish. Cloves are added in ground form to sauces, and as a whole to main sauces. If you need to bake a meat tenderloin, you can simply stick a clove into a piece of meat.

In medicine

When losing weight

Since cloves are very rich in vitamin and mineral complex, they are useful and recommended for people on diets.

Another benefit of cloves is that it improves the process of high-quality digestion of food. Therefore, lovers of a slim figure can be sure that excess “fat” will not be deposited anywhere.

Drink delicious and aromatic tea with cloves and lemon. Moreover, anyone can cook it. To do this, cook sugar syrup from 3 teaspoons of sugar and 100 ml of water over low heat. Brew black tea (1 tablespoon per 2 cups of boiling water). The tea is infused for 5 minutes. Next, it is filtered and mixed with sugar syrup, the juice of half a lemon and 4 clove buds. After 2-3 minutes you can enjoy your drink.

At home

Blood-sucking insects do not like the smell of cloves. An aroma lamp using cloves will get rid of annoying mosquitoes.

Growing

Since the clove tree is an evergreen and heat-loving plant, it can only be grown in greenhouse conditions. It needs a positive air temperature of 17° to 25°. The clove tree propagates by petioles, seeds, or its branch can be grafted onto another tree. The seeds are planted in a mixture of sand and peat, simply scattered over the surface. They should be sprinkled with soil on top, then covered with film and wait for shoots, which should appear after 4 weeks. When the first two leaves appear, the plants are planted. In the future, the clove tree needs to be pruned and pinched, thus forming a crown.

If a cut petiole is used, then its cut must first be treated with root and then placed in a mixture of peat and perlite. Next, the petiole is covered with film. The soil for planting should be slightly acidic. Drainage and a hole in the pot are required. You can prepare the soil yourself. Mix one part of wet peat, coarse sand, humus, leaf soil and two parts of turf soil. It is optimal to place a pot with a tree near the southern windows. Excessive lighting should be avoided. The sun can burn the leaves.

Water the clove tree regularly. For irrigation you need to use water that has settled. In addition, the clove tree needs spraying. In winter, watering is slightly reduced and spraying is stopped. To feed the tree, mineral nitrogen and potassium fertilizers containing fertilizers are used, which are applied to the soil in the spring and summer; in winter and autumn there is no need to feed the clove tree. Transplantation is carried out in the spring. The plant must be protected from drafts.

Under natural conditions, seeds are germinated in nurseries. Plants are planted in a permanent place of growth at 4 years of age and specifically during the rainy season. To prevent the sun from damaging the tree, it is covered with a canopy or a plant is planted next to it that would shade the seedling. In the sixth year of life, the clove tree bears its first fruits. It produces the largest harvest starting from the age of 20. This period lasts 30 years. In general, the clove tree is used up to 60 years of age.

• You can determine how high-quality the spice you purchased is by throwing it into water. The more essential oils a bud contains, the heavier it is. Floating and not sinking indicates low oil content.
• The ancient Chinese were required to chew some clove buds before visiting the emperor. Fulfillment of this condition was an integral etiquette and tradition of those times.
• Recent research suggests that cloves inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. In the near future, scientists plan to develop a drug based on cloves that will cure blood cancer.
• From cloves, French chefs came up with an original additive to soups and broths. Peel the onion and stick 5 whole clove buds into it. Then this “assembly” is lowered into a saucepan where the dish is prepared. The invention is called a nail-studded onion.
• Cloves are used in magical rituals that get rid of enemies. A handful of clove buds are thrown in a deserted place against the wind. For the ritual to work, you need to leave without looking back.

Clove - its aroma is associated with winter and Christmas. However, this spice not only has a specific spicy aroma, but also some health benefits. Cloves are successfully used in medicine, so it is worth using it not only for the holidays.

What is a clove?

Cloves are the fully formed but undeveloped flower buds of the clove tree (Caryophyllus aromaticus) that covers Indonesia.

We owe the presence of cloves on the European continent to Arab traders.

Initially, the spice was considered a luxury product. Over time, cultivation was introduced to the French islands of Mauritius and Reunion, the Antilles, Zanzibar and Madagascar, which popularized cloves and helped reduce their price.

Cloves are more than just a spice

Cloves can be found in almost every kitchen. This is a popular spice that is added to compotes, canned food, marinades and confectionery. Cloves are often used in the preparation of homemade mulled wine, which protects against colds during the cold autumn-winter period.

Meanwhile, cloves are not only a spice, but also a valuable medicine that the Chinese knew about 200 years BC. e. In Chinese medicine, cloves were used for toothache and hiccups caused by cold. Cloves were believed to be an effective remedy for conditions of anxiety, tension and depression.

Modern medicine recognizes that cloves have antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Researchers from the Miguel Hernandez University found that cloves effectively neutralize free radicals that destroy cellular structure and accelerate aging of the body.

To harness the healing power of cloves, Spanish researchers recommend seasoning lunch dishes (soups and meats) and drinks with cloves.

Chemical composition

The most valuable component of fragrant cloves is the essential oil, consisting of a mixture of phenol derivatives (eugenol - 70-90%), acetyl (eugenol acetate - 10-15%), terpenes (caryophyllene) and ketones.

Eugenol has strong bactericidal properties. Therefore, clove extract is added to toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Cloves are rich in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, vitamins - A, B (B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9), C, E, K and minerals such as zinc, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.

Beneficial features

From cancer and aging

The constant presence of cloves in the diet prevents the formation of cancer and slows down the aging of the body. Reduces the risk of heart and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

From fungi

Thanks to its antifungal properties, cloves are an effective remedy for candidiasis, dermatophytosis and ringworm. If you have such diseases, it is recommended to drink clove tea and treat the skin affected by the fungus with clove oil.

For diabetes

Even a few cloves in your daily diet support insulin production, reduce glucose levels, which reduces the risk of diabetes. Consumption of cloves also has a positive effect on lipid metabolism - it reduces the amount of bad cholesterol, keeping good cholesterol unchanged.

For digestion

Cloves support digestion - stimulate the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid, improve intestinal motility, and prevent flatulence. It is worth adding cloves to heavy, difficult-to-digest foods.

For colds

Fragrant cloves not only add flavor to dishes, but also help warm you up on a cool day. And thanks to its antiseptic and analgesic properties, clove tea helps you recover faster during winter colds.

For allergies

For breathing

Cloves are an effective breath freshener—chewing a few umbels is enough to eliminate bad breath, even after eating foods like onions and garlic.

Other

Clove oil is used in the treatment of rheumatism, upper respiratory tract infections, and toothache.

Contraindications

Cloves should not be consumed by pregnant women. The eugenol it contains can increase the excitability of smooth muscles and cause premature uterine contractions.

Traditional recipes for treating cloves

Cloves for freshening breath

Mix a quarter glass of vinegar, half a glass of wine and 1 glass of honey, 1 teaspoon of ground cloves. Boil the mixture for 5 - 10 minutes over low heat. Rinse your mouth with this mixture.

Healing tea

Mix a handful of rose hips, juniper, two cloves and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger root. Pour the mixture into 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and leave to steep overnight. In the morning, strain the tea. drink it all day, you can add honey to taste. In a month you won't recognize yourself.

Cloves for sore throat, toothache and periodontal disease

Take a small bite from the clove bud and chew until the clove taste disappears. Spit it out and repeat three to four times.

It is a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.

Cloves to strengthen the immune system and gastrointestinal tract (improving digestion)

Mix one teaspoon of honey with a pinch of ground cloves. Eat a few minutes before meals.

Clove oil for skin

Take 15 cloves and 100 grams of vegetable oil. Pour vegetable oil over the cloves and keep in a water bath for half an hour. Cool and store in the refrigerator. Lubricate wounds - trophic ulcers, cuts and inflammatory processes on the skin.

Clove infusion to strengthen blood vessels

Take ten cloves and two glasses of vodka. You need to mash the cloves, add vodka and leave for three weeks. Drink 12 drops with water or milk three times a day after meals. The course of treatment is three weeks. If necessary, you can repeat it after 3 weeks.

Vinegar and cloves to strengthen immunity against colds

Mix vinegar with water and pour over all ingredients. Place in a water bath for 45 minutes. Cool, strain. Take one teaspoon after meals three times a day. Helps the immune system cope with high fever.

The spice can be taken separately. The top of the spice is ground into powder with a coffee grinder. Take a teaspoon every day with liquid, preferably boiled water.

Cloves and wormwood

By analogy, grind dry wormwood in a coffee grinder. We combine two powders. Take a teaspoon before bed with boiled water for three weeks.

Cloves and flax

Grind the ingredients separately and mix. We will need clove and flax powder in a ratio of 1:10. We take a teaspoon for three days. Let's take a three-day break. We stick to the plan for a month.

Cloves and dill

Mix 1 tbsp. l. clove powder and 6 tbsp. l. dill seeds Divide the resulting product into three days. Take a teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning. The drug effectively removes dead individuals from the intestines.

"Troichatka"

We combine tansy, wormwood and clove powders in a ratio of 100:50:25 in grams. The ingredients are ground separately from each other. Dosage – no more than one teaspoon. On the first day - only in the morning. On the second day - morning and lunch. On the third day - morning, lunch and evening.

Clove decoction

Pour 1.5 g of dried cloves with boiling water in a volume of 200 ml and send to a water bath. After a few minutes, remove from heat, cover with a lid and leave to brew for thirty minutes. Let's strain the contents. The product should be taken no more than three times a day shortly before meals.

The infusion is prepared according to the same principle. The cloves are poured with boiling water and infused. They are not sent to a water bath.

Alcohol tincture

The advantage of the drug is long-term storage. Pour 30 g of spice buds with vodka or alcohol in a volume of 0.5 liters. We insist for two weeks. Shake the tincture periodically. The strained product is ready for use. We take the medicine once a day, a teaspoon.

Herbal collection

Grind and mix 25 g of dried herbs: tansy, wormwood, yarrow and buckthorn. Add 13 g of ground cloves. Take a teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach. Children are allowed to drink the product, reducing the dosage by half.

Cloves with honey and ginger

Prepare fresh ginger root, ground in a blender. Combine the plant with honey and cloves in a ratio of 1:0.5:1 and mix thoroughly. Take a teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning for a week.

Hilda Clark's Cure

Let's prepare a green walnut tincture. We peel 15 unripe fruits. Fill the peel with vodka or alcohol in a volume of 1 liter. We send the contents to infuse for a month on the sunny side.

We take the tincture on an empty stomach. First add 1 drop per glass of water. Add a drop more every day. After taking it for seven days, we switch to 2 tsp. per glass of water. To cleanse and completely restore the body, we take the medicine for a whole year.

Together with the tincture we use clove and wormwood powders

We start taking wormwood with 0.5 tsp. powder at dinner, washed down with water. In the next two days, add 0.5 tsp. and bring to 7 tsp. at the evening meal.

We start drinking cloves in small portions - no more than one pea. We drink for three days, doubling the dosage. Then we drink exactly this dose once a week.

The information on the site is provided solely for informational and informational purposes, does not claim to be reference or medical accuracy, and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. Be sure to consult a specialist.

Cloves are a spice obtained from the unopened buds of the clove tree. The plant's homeland is the Maluku Islands; later the spice began to be grown in Ceylon, India, Tanzania, and Indonesia. The spicy-hot aroma of cloves enriches culinary dishes, freshens breath, and promotes peace and relaxation. The spice is used in medicine for the treatment and prevention of various diseases.

photo of a flowering plant

Cloves: definition and description. Useful properties and use

The clove tree or shrub is an evergreen perennial plant with a pyramidal crown and a strong aroma. It has leathery green petiolate leaves. It blooms twice a year, producing small purple-red flowers collected in semi-umbrella inflorescences. Forms a fruit - a false berry.

Chemical and energetic composition of fragrant cloves

The beneficial properties and contraindications of the spice are determined by its chemical composition. Cloves contain a large number of biologically active substances:

• Vitamins A, groups B, E, C, P;
• Minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper, selenium);
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• Omega3 and Omega6;
• Fiber, ash;
• Essential oil;
• Easily digestible carbohydrates;
• Tannins;
• Glycosides, mucus.

clove contains a lot of biologically active components that support human health

The calorie content of cloves is 275 Kcal per 100 grams. product, of which:

• up to 6g. proteins;
• up to 20g. fats;
• up to 27 gr. carbohydrates.

Clove buds are used for medicinal purposes due to their antimicrobial, disinfectant, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cloves are widely used in dentistry, gynecology, dermatology, cosmetology, otolaryngology and folk medicine.

spice has a lot of beneficial effects on the human body

The beneficial properties of cloves have the following therapeutic effects on the human body:

Both whole and ground cloves have beneficial properties

How to choose a clove

When choosing, you should pay attention to the appearance - the spice should have a brown color and a pronounced, specific aroma. If a bud is thrown forcefully into water, it must float vertically or drown. Cloves floating horizontally are of poor quality.

Method of making spices

Cloves belong to the group of floral spices; unopened buds are harvested and dried in the open air. Essential oil is produced from leaves, bark and buds. Cloves are distinguished depending on the place of growth - Tanzanian, Zanzibar, Madagascar.

It is exported in the form of dried buds; in ground form, cloves quickly lose their taste and healing qualities.

Healing essential oil is prepared from cloves, which is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Shelf life

Dried cloves should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place out of direct sunlight. Whole cloves retain their quality for up to a year, ground cloves for up to 6 months, and clove oil for up to two years.

Contraindications for use

Taking cloves is contraindicated for:

• Gastric and duodenal ulcers;
• Hypertension;
• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Children under 2 years of age;
• Individual intolerance.

Use in folk medicine

during the infusion process, all the beneficial substances of cloves are transferred into the drink

Clove infusion

Infused clove seasoning is used to eliminate digestive disorders, bloating, flatulence, and low blood pressure. Externally, clove infusion is used as a lotion to remove herpes and acne, as well as for rinsing the mouth for colds and sore throats.

• Pour a glass of boiling water over a few cloves, cover and leave for an hour. Take a teaspoon three times a day.

For asthma

• take 10 clove buds and 50 ml. water, let it boil;
• add tbsp to the slightly cooled infusion. l. honey;
• take three times a day.

For vomiting and nausea

Clove spice normalizes digestion, stimulates the production of food enzymes, fights stomach irritation and increased gas formation, relieves dyspepsia, vomiting and nausea.

• Whole cloves are crushed, mixed with honey, placed in the mouth and kept until completely dissolved.

Alcohol tincture

The product is a good preventative against colds and viral infections, immunodeficiency, sore throat and bronchitis. Used for indoor and outdoor use. Helps with neuroses, rheumatism, arthritis.

• Place 30 clove buds in a glass container, pour 300 ml. vodka;
• close and put in a dark place for a week, shake periodically during the infusion process;
• Take the finished tincture one teaspoon at a time. before eating.

Headache tincture

Clove tincture relieves headaches, helps to calm down, and normalizes sleep.

• 50 gr. combine clove buds with 0.5 liters of dry red wine;
• leave for a month, shaking occasionally;
• strain and drink 1/4 cup per day.

Cloves for blood pressure

For hypertension, cloves alleviate the condition due to its antispasmodic properties. It relaxes blood vessels, expands their lumen and prevents increased blood pressure.

For a cold

Not everyone knows how to drink cloves for a cold. An effective remedy is tea with cloves.

• put 2 pcs in the teapot. cloves, a pinch of ginger and cinnamon;
• pour boiling water, add tbsp. l. green or black tea;
• wrap and soak for 5 minutes;
• add orange juice (3 tbsp), a slice of lemon and sugar;
• take up to 3 times during the day.

You can brew clove tea with the addition of other beneficial ingredients

When you have a cold, it is useful to take a decoction of cloves:

• Pour 3 cloves and grated ginger into a glass of water;
• bring to a boil, add a teaspoon of tea leaves and leave;
• strain and add half a liter of boiled milk;
• Take warm in small portions throughout the day.

Cloves for cough

Cloves help with throat and cough. For treatment, take clove essential oil (5 drops), honey (tbsp) and chopped garlic clove, combine, mix and take at night.

For men and women

Cloves are effective in the gynecological field - for infertility, childbirth, to intensify pushing and contractions, and normalizes the menstrual cycle. The spice prevents the process of premature aging, relieves menopause, relieves discomfort, hot flashes and fever, and normalizes hormonal levels. An effective recipe for this:

• in the evening, water (250 ml.) is heated to 45 degrees, 15 cloves are added and kept until the morning. Drink before breakfast and dinner in equal portions.

Drinks with cloves will have a positive effect on men's and women's health

For men, the seasoning is an aphrodisiac, has a tonic and stimulating effect on potency, and normalizes the reproductive system.

Helps normalize blood circulation in the genitourinary system, relieves pain, inflammation, swelling, and prevents prostatitis.

• Take equal quantities of cloves and flax seed and grind in a coffee grinder. Take according to Art. l., diluted in water or tea. Carry out treatment with cloves for up to 3 days, take a break for three days and repeat the treatment if necessary. The total course of treatment should not exceed two months.

Against cancer

Taking cloves is a good prevention of cancer. The spice heals the body, normalizes the overall condition, and prevents the development of cancer cells.

Is it good to chew cloves for treatment?

to obtain a therapeutic effect, simply chew the clove buds

For sore throats and colds

At the first symptoms of the disease, you need to chew a couple of cloves, this will help quickly stop the progression of the disease.

To relieve inflammation and pain, you need to warm the milk, add a few cloves, infuse it and take it warm throughout the day in small sips.

For toothache

In dental practice, cloves have no equal; they will help with toothache, stomatitis, periodontal disease, pulpitis, and gum inflammation. You can get rid of pain quickly and easily; for these purposes you need ground cloves - gently rub the gums with it. You can chew cloves - the procedure not only relieves pain, but also eliminates bad breath.

Cloves in cooking

Thanks to its unique taste and medicinal properties, the clove spice has found wide use in cooking. It is added to soups, main courses, meat, fish, canned food, marinades, compotes, and confectionery. The spice does not tolerate prolonged heat treatment; its taste and aroma are quickly lost. However, in alcohol, wine, and vinegar, the aroma of cloves opens up and becomes much more pronounced.

What is clove

Cloves are a spice obtained from the dried and unopened buds of the clove perennial tree.

The plant's homeland is the Moluccas Islands. Nowadays, cloves are grown in Tanzania, Indonesia, India, and Ceylon.

What does a clove look like?

The clove tree is an evergreen shrub or tree with a pyramidal crown that has a strong aroma. The leaves are leathery, petiolate, glabrous, dark green in color. Carnation blooms 2 times a year. The flowers are purple-red, small, collected in complex semi-umbrellas. The fruit is a false berry.

The spice has a brown tint. The clove buds are harvested and then fermented in direct sunlight. A high-quality clove, if thrown forcefully into a glass, should sink or float vertically. If the spice floats horizontally, it is of poor quality.

The field carnation and the clove tree are not the same thing. In some indications for treating the body, they agree, for example, for colds, nervous tension, for pain relief, but in composition they are completely different. In addition, the grass grows in the European part of Russia and Siberia, and the tree loves tropical climates.

Cloves (spice): beneficial properties and uses

With its very hot and spicy aroma, clove reminds of itself to those who have at least once tried it as part of culinary dishes. Aromatization with an herbal plant promotes relaxation and tranquility.

Cloves are a unique spice that contains a vitamin complex of groups A, B, P, C, E. The presence of minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber allows the spice to occupy a leading position in unique beneficial properties. Dried fruits perfectly freshen breath, eliminating the smell of garlic and onions.

The clove spice contains the main active ingredient - essential oil, which occupies 20% of the total mass of the bud. It also has a distinct smell. The beneficial properties of clove essential oil are complemented by a complex of micro- and macroelements, vitamins, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, tannins and fatty acids, polyunsaturated acids.

Cloves have a wide range of uses. It is used for medicinal purposes in the form of decoctions and infusions. Experts recommend using cloves for married couples and people with low libido, as it increases desire and improves sex life.
The spice is also actively used in cooking, cosmetology, aromatherapy and for weight loss. The spice has found application in everyday life; it is used to repel blood-sucking insects.

For medicinal purposes, cloves can

1 Give pain relief, replace antispasmodics, get rid of germs.

2 Fruits contribute acceleration of digestive processes, prevent gas formation.

3 The healing properties of cloves are a secret prolonged sexual intercourse for many partners, its composition contributes to faster and longer-lasting sexual arousal for both partners.

4 The plant promotes rapid recovery from all types of injuries, for example, arthrosis, arthritis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (15 drops of clove essential oil per 1 tablespoon of massage oil).

5 Clove oil is effective for treatment of pustules and boils. Apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil to the boil. For problem skin, take baths with clove essential oil.

6 Helps eliminate eye diseases when rubbing them with a decoction of cloves.
A simple recipe will help you get rid of stye - add a few drops of water to a crushed clove bud, mix and gently apply to the eye area.

7 In the field of dentistry This seasoning has no equal! Widely used for dental diseases (stomatitis, pulpitis, caries, periodontal disease). For problems with the oral cavity, toothache, inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, and bad breath, it is useful to chew the buds of the clove tree.

Clove buds can be safely chewed instead of regular chewing gum. The healing properties of the spice will help you forget forever about diseases such as gum disease, stomatitis, and periodontal disease. And the essential oils contained in cloves will serve as an excellent mouth rinse. Natural relief from bad breath for a cheap price!

8 If you notice the first signs sore throat or sore throat, chew a couple of small cloves. The throat will instantly stop hurting, the disease will be stopped!

Low blood pressure and asthma are also indications for the use of cloves.

9. Several inflorescences (5-6) are poured with water, brought to a boil, cooled and the decoction is drunk three times a day. To improve the taste, you can add honey. For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.

10. Dry, debilitating cough can be effectively treated with a solution consisting of sea salt and ground cloves. Wet conditions are treated with a special tea made from crushed ginger and cloves, but for asthma and tuberculosis, a mixture of garlic, honey and clove oil, which should be taken orally, helps perfectly.
To relieve a spasmodic cough, take 5 drops of clove essential oil, a tablespoon of honey and a small clove of garlic. Mix everything and consume before bed; the recommended dosage is presented in the recipe for one day.

11. The beneficial properties of cloves (spice) are also manifested in effective treatment diaphragmatic and muscle cramps, hiccups and sore throat. To eliminate the symptoms, you need to warm the milk and throw a few inflorescences into it. Drink the aromatic decoction in small sips, trying to hold it in your mouth.

12. The effect of cloves in gynecological area. It helps with infertility and childbirth, increasing the effectiveness of contractions and pushing, normalizing the menstrual cycle, slowing down the aging process of the female body and increasing sexual desire, as it is a natural aphrodisiac.

a) Cloves for menopause
During menopause or hormonal changes, all women experience hot flashes, which cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. Therefore, the beneficial properties of cloves for women are especially valuable at this time.

This recipe will help you cope with age-related hormonal changes. To reduce pain in the evening, 15 pieces of fruit are poured with a glass of water heated to 40 degrees and left until the morning. The next day, you need to drink half the tea before breakfast, and the rest before dinner. To make the spice treatment more effective, prepare a fresh portion of tea every evening.

Each clove bud consists of 20% essential oil, and also contains aromatic substances such as ylangene, eugenol and caryophyllene, and a high content of tannins. Because of such a concentrated composition, pinworms are simply afraid of cloves, as well as diphtheria bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus and even Koch's bacillus!

Recipe No. 1
♦ Ingredients:
♦ Wormwood - 20 g.
♦ Tansy - 20 g.
♦ Cloves - 20 g.

b) From helminths

Recipe No. 2

Ingredients:
♦ Cloves - 100 g.
♦ Flax seed - 100 g.

How to prepare: Grind the ingredients in a coffee grinder. Place the resulting mixture in an airtight container and place in a cool place.
How to use: Take 25 g of the medicine every day, diluting it in tea or fruit drink. The duration of treatment is 3 days, after which take a break for 3 days. Then repeat the treatment again. The general course of treatment is 1-2 months.
Result: Elimination of helminths.

14 Spice not only gives dishes an unsurpassed taste, but also has a beneficial effect on digestive system, increases appetite and promotes rapid absorption of food. In addition, it helps with flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, colitis, and intestinal colic. In order to significantly improve digestion and normalize the entire functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole, you need to chew a couple of clove buds with 1 teaspoon of honey about 15 minutes before meals.

Attention! If there is a stomach or duodenal ulcer, as well as high blood pressure, then it is better to abandon this method of treatment. In other cases, the use of cloves is welcome!

15 The spice is indicated for people suffering nervous system disorders, because, thanks to the B vitamins contained in the seasoning, it relieves mental fatigue, tension, stress and helps fight depression.

16 Cancer prevention. In families where there have been cases of cancer among relatives, the use of cloves will be a very good prevention. After all, as you know, this disease is very often hereditary. The fact is that the spice contains eugenol, which helps normalize the condition of the body as a whole, slows down the increase in the number of cancer cells and helps prevent a terrible disease.

17 Cosmetology- an area in which cloves have also found application. Thus, essential oil can be used for various skin problems - acne, purulent rashes. To prevent the spread of infection throughout the skin, it is enough to wipe the inflamed areas with oil. This will not only relieve redness and itching, but also help skin cells regenerate.

18 Try making a wonderful mulled wine drink using cloves. Warm alcoholic drink stimulates the heart, relieves autumn blues and depression, is especially popular during colds. The most important thing is proper preparation.

For treatment, take 0.5 liters of quality wine, heat it a little and add 5 clove buds and a pinch of cinnamon. Mulled wine is ready. Adults are recommended to drink it as a stand-alone drink; teenagers should add a few teaspoons of alcoholic beverage to their tea.

There are many recipes for mulled wine, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without cooking for several weeks, since heat treatment evaporates and destroys its vitamins and aromatic substances. It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired. Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.

19 For diabetes
In medicine, cloves are actively used for diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels, neutralizes the effects of histamine, and regulates the patient’s weight.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 20 buds.
♦ Water - 250 ml.

How to prepare: Pour hot water over the buds. Let the mixture sit for 12 hours, then strain.
How to use: Drink 75 ml infusion three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
Result: Maintaining optimal blood glucose levels.

20 For pancreatitis
Experts often recommend using clove infusion as part of complex treatment. The effectiveness of the product largely depends on whether you follow the recommended diet when you are sick.
The given decoction recipe should be used to treat chronic pancreatitis.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 20 g.
♦ Water - 100 ml.

How to prepare: Pour cold boiled water over the cloves. Leave the product for 8 hours, then strain.
How to use: Take 1 tbsp infusion. three times a day.
Result: Elimination of symptoms of pancreatitis.

21 For a cold 5 buds of clove spice must be ground in a mortar to a powder, then pour a glass of boiling milk. Wait 20 minutes, strain the broth and consume warm - drink in slow sips, holding the liquid in your mouth.

Clove tincture

Clove tincture has healing properties. It can be used to prevent colds and viral diseases, increase immunity, for bronchitis, and sore throat. The remedy is also taken for neuroses. The product is used externally for arthritis and rheumatism. To prepare the tincture at home, use the recipe below.
Ingredients:

♦ Cloves - 25 buds.
♦ Vodka - 250 ml.

How to prepare: Pour cloves into a glass container and fill with vodka. Close the jar with a lid. Leave the product for a week, shaking occasionally.

How to use: Take tincture 1 tsp. before eating.

Cloves (spice): beneficial properties for children

The use of hot spice for adults and children differs significantly. Babies, of course, need very small doses, otherwise health problems cannot be avoided. For example, to remove helminths, a mixture of ground flax seeds and cloves is prepared in a ratio of 10:1. Apply 3 grams per 7 kilograms of weight.

Clove essential oil will protect your baby from annoying mosquitoes. It is absolutely harmless for children, unlike most anti-mosquito drugs, which have a wide range of contraindications and side effects.

Tea with cloves – a spicy aroma or a healthy drink?

Cloves, poured into boiling water or added to tea, provide many with a rich aromatic taste; its medicinal properties are especially valued in winter and autumn.

We list the main beneficial properties of tea with cloves:
♦ Eliminates physical tension, relaxes after a hard day and stress
♦ Combats muscle spasms
♦ Eliminates stomach cramps
♦ Helps activate digestion processes
♦ Helps with diarrhea
♦ Relieves sore throat during colds
♦ Prevents the development of cancer cells, being an auxiliary drug for oncological diseases.

There are many recommendations for brewing tea with cloves; the differences lie only in achieving different aromatic effects. In the classic method of preparation, several dried buds are added to tea, the drink is infused for 5 minutes, and then consumed in small sips.

Tea recipe for colds
The beneficial properties of clove tea are known to many during colds. The spice added to tea helps fight viral infections; a warm drink is recommended to be consumed as a preventive measure in winter and autumn.

1 Prepare the following ingredients:

♦ Purified boiled water – 0.5 l
♦ 2 clove buds
♦ A little ginger
♦ A tablespoon of tea leaves
♦ Half a cinnamon stick or a small pinch of dried spice
♦ Lemon slice
♦ 3 tablespoons orange juice
♦ Sugar to taste

Place the ginger, cinnamon and cloves covered with water in a small saucepan. Boil the decoction and pour it into a brew of black or green tea, after 5 minutes add lemon, sugar and orange juice. Drink aromatic tea 3 times a day at home or at work.

2 Another recipe has no less beneficial properties of clove tea during a cold and will appeal to all milk lovers. To prepare it you will need:

♦ Boiled milk – 0.5 l
♦ Water – 200 ml
♦ Tea brew – 3 teaspoons
♦ Cloves – 3 buds
♦ Grated ginger

Pour dried ginger buds with a glass of water and bring to a boil, add tea leaves, let the tea brew for 5 minutes. Strain the warm drink through cheesecloth or a sieve, add boiled milk. Tea with milk and cloves is ready to be poured into cups and consumed.

Contraindications to the use of cloves

At all times, cloves have been used for healing, but it is important to know when you can use the bud of the flower, and when only the cap. The beneficial properties of the clove spice are very popular among adherents of folk and traditional medicine, and contraindications to the plant should be taken into account before using it. Therefore, before treatment, carefully study the recipe.

If you use cloves to prepare marinades or dishes that involve the addition of alcoholic beverages, then the bitterness of the spice can quickly be extracted in the alcohol itself, bringing no benefit, but only worsening the aromatic properties of the dish.

There is a group of people who should not include cloves in their daily diet:
1. Children under 2 years old should avoid this type of spice.
2. For pregnant women and during lactation, the concentration of spice should be reduced several times, based on a specific recipe.
3. Having high blood pressure is a reason to avoid cloves, as it increases it.
4. Individual intolerance to clove spice - expressed in allergic manifestations on the skin.

How to choose a clove

To really get help from cloves in a number of different diseases, you need to make sure of its suitability. And it's very easy to do. Take one dry bud and forcefully throw it into a glass of water. The carnation should either sink or float on the surface of the water with the inflorescence up, that is, vertically. If the clove lies horizontally, it means that it no longer has medicinal properties, because its essential oils have evaporated.

Dessert