8 medicinal properties of cloves for health and how to take it

Cloves are the dried, unopened buds of a clove tree native to tropical latitudes. It is widely used in cooking, as well as in folk and evidence-based medicine.

Scientists claim that taking cloves can benefit a person. It can improve the health of almost all organ systems, as well as reduce the risk of developing dangerous diseases (including cancer).

8 medicinal properties

The 8 main beneficial properties of cloves for the human body are described below (based on scientific sources of information).

1. It has a rich composition

Carnation saturated Magnesium and vitamin K.

The spice also contains a lot of magnesium, which is playing Important role in maintaining bone mineral density and regulation of the central nervous system.

Using even small amounts of the plant allows you to fully satisfy the daily need of the body for magnesium.

The spice also contains antioxidant substances that provide protection against chronic diseases and malignant tumors.

Cloves are a nutrient–rich spice, so their use has a positive effect on health.

2. It has an antioxidant effect

Spice contains antioxidant substances.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals formed during oxidative stress. This allows you to protect the body's cells from damage and malignant degeneration, and reduce the risk of manifestation of chronic diseases.

Experts from the USA claim that the main antioxidant substance of the seasoning is eugenol. It stops oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals. It is 5 times more effective than vitamin E.

Regularly adding cloves to familiar dishes is a simple and effective way to increase the antioxidant potential of your own body.

3. Fighting cancer

Numerous laboratory experiments and animal experiments show the ability of cloves to suppress the growth or destroy malignant cells.

According to the data one of the major international studies, carnation stops the growth of colon tumor cells, and also causes the death of some of them.

Indian Scientists found out that the use of concentrated clove oil causes the death of esophageal cancer cells in 80% of cases.

According to research by employees of Manipal University (UAE), carnation effective and in relation to malignantly degenerated cervical cells. The effect of the plant was associated with the induction of apoptosis of cancer cells and a decrease in the concentration of key markers of chronic inflammation (cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin -1b) in the blood.

However, no studies have been conducted in the human body and one can only assume the effectiveness of cloves in real clinical situations. Some experts consider it necessary to start developing pharmaceutical drugs to fight cancer based on clove extract.

Spice contains substances that supposedly block the growth of cancerous tumors.

4. Causes the death of pathogenic microorganisms

Installed that the medicinal plant has the ability to cause the death of fungi of the genus Candida. These microorganisms are common pathogens of infections of the digestive and urinary systems.

Argentine specialists confirmed the effectiveness of cloves against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. These bacteria often lead to the development of infections of the upper respiratory tract (sore throat, pneumonia) and intestines.

Experts from the USA found that clove extract causes the death of bacteria that are responsible for infectious and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

Clove oil diluted with water can be used to improve oral health, prevent inflammation and caries, and strengthen teeth in general. This practice is widespread in folk medicine.

Carnation is capable of destroying pathogenic microorganisms, which are the most common pathogens of infectious and inflammatory diseases in humans.

5. Supports liver health

The liver is one of the main organs in the body. In the modern world, it is subject to high functional loads (taking medications, alcohol abuse, etc.), which leads to anatomical disorders and the development of deadly abnormalities (cirrhosis).

It is believed that the active substances of cloves can reduce the damaging effects of toxic substances on the organ and improve liver health .

According to the data scientists from Egypt, taking clove oil reduces the activity of chronic inflammatory processes and the amount of free radicals in liver cells.

With regular intake of spices, even observed reverse change of scar tissue of the liver (against the background of cirrhosis).

The plant protects liver cells from damage and causes regression of pathological changes in this organ.

6. Reduces blood sugar levels

Animal experiments conducted at the Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences (Japan), demonstrate the ability of cloves to reduce the rate of absorption of carbohydrates from the lumen of the digestive system after eating.

Thus, sudden spikes in glucose in blood plasma are prevented.

Also detected that clove extract is able to increase the secretion of endogenous insulin. Insulin acts on the cells of fat and muscle tissues, forcing them to intensively absorb sugar from the bloodstream.

It should be noted that the spice does not affect hormonal factors regulating the metabolism of sugar and lipids in the body and has the same effect in the body of both women and men.

Cloves are recommended for the prevention and therapy (together with hypoglycemic drugs) of type II diabetes mellitus.

The plant is able to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood and help in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

7. Strengthens bones

Osteoporosis or a decrease in bone density is an extremely dangerous and common deviation. It occurs in 80% of people over the age of 60 and is the main cause of bone fractures.

Some compounds in the carnation, like claim Indian experts, capable strengthen bone tissue by increasing the influx of minerals (calcium and phosphorus).

Also carnation saturated manganese. It is responsible for the proper formation of the structural elements of bones and allows them to be durable and hardy under static and dynamic loads.

Cloves must be added to the diet of elderly people in order to protect themselves from fractures, the most common of which is a hip fracture.

Cloves increase bone mineral density and can be used to prevent fractures in older age groups.

8. Effective for gastric ulcer

Stomach ulcers are defects of the gastric mucosa that occur when exposed to hydrochloric acid or various chemicals (for example, tablet forms of nonsteroidal analgesics).

Contribute to the appearance of ulcers: constant stress, infectious diseases (including the persistence of Helicobacter Pylori) and hereditary predisposition.

Research show that taking cloves leads to an increase in the production of mucus in the stomach, rich in bicarbonates. It concentrates along the walls and protects the walls of the stomach from hydrochloric acid.

Available data on the effectiveness of plant extract for the treatment of stomach ulcers. The effect is comparable to "standard" drugs for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.

Spice is able to provide significant assistance in the treatment and prevention of gastric ulcer.

Possible harm

Cloves have contraindications and in some cases can cause significant harm to the body (mainly due to excessive intake).

The most common side effects are:

  1. Toxic liver damage. In large doses, the extract or essential oil of the plant leads to the destruction of liver cells.
  2. Irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. When used topically, the spice can cause hyperemia, itching and even chemical burns.
  3. Allergic reactions.  They are rare, but characterized by severe course (swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and larynx, anaphylactic shock). If you have allergies in the past, the use of cloves is contraindicated.

The safe daily dose of dried buds is ½-1 tsp., essential oil – 0.5 ml.

Cloves are not recommended to be included in the diet of children and women during pregnancy. No clinical studies have been conducted to confirm the safety of the plant for these categories of persons.

Cloves have contraindications and can cause side effects. To avoid them, it is recommended to carefully approach the application of the product.

Application options

Carnation is popular in folk medicine. Below are the most effective recipes:

  1. For strengthening blood vessels and the heart. Prepare 500 ml of red wine, add 5 dried clove buds, ½ tsp cinnamon. Close the lid tightly and insist in a dark, cool place for 3-4 weeks. Take tincture of cloves 1 tsp. 1-3 times a day (add to green tea).
  2. For inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Take 1-2 dry clove buds and chew for 2-3 minutes. You can chew the plant up to 2-3 times a day.
  3. With arterial hypotension. To increase the pressure, you should also chew several buds for about 3-4 minutes (you can grind them and dissolve the same time under the tongue). The effect is somewhat less than from coffee.
  4. With painful menstruation. Mix 50 grams of chamomile, 5 grams of cinnamon and 3 grams of clove buds. Add 1,000 ml of water and put on fire until boiling. Reduce the gas to a minimum value and cook with the lid open for another 25-30 minutes. Strain and take a decoction of 100 ml 3 times a day.
  5. To calm the nervous system. Combine together 25 grams of ground cloves, 3 minced lemons and 500 grams of sugar. Place the ingredients at the bottom of a 3-liter jar, add warm water to the top (temperature 40 – 45 ° C). Insist for 2 weeks. Consume 25 ml 3 times a day (in the morning on an empty stomach, at lunch and 2-3 hours before bedtime).
  6. Skin treatment. For inflammatory diseases of the skin, you can dissolve 15 drops of clove oil in 250 ml of water and apply the resulting composition 2-3 times a day.

In cooking, spice is often used to make mulled wine, fried and stewed meat (pork, lamb), as well as in sweet dishes (confectionery, puddings, compotes).

Cloves are used in folk and evidence-based medicine, cooking. In order to fully reveal the biological properties, you should carefully follow the cooking technology.

Conclusion

  1. Cloves are a valuable spice rich in nutrients and have antioxidant and anti–inflammatory effects in the human body.
  2. Spice is able to strengthen bones, reduce blood sugar levels, protect liver cells from toxic substances, prevent the development of malignant tumors and gastric ulcer.
  3. The plant has a wide range of side effects and is not recommended for use by children and pregnant women.
  4. On the basis of cloves, a number of folk recipes have been developed that allow you to unleash your biological potential to the fullest.