The health benefits of Cloves and their medicinal uses.
Cloves are small dried flowers buds which originally come from the Maluku Islands in
Indonesia.
These have been used for thousands of years as a cooking spice and also as a natural medicine.
In today's video we will explore 22 facts and benefits of cloves, and explain how they
affect the human body.
1. Joint Health Cloves are one of the best sources of manganese
on the planet, a mineral which can help to strengthen the joints. This helps to relieve
joint pain such as shoulder or knee pain, and also reduces inflammation in the connective
tissues. Pregnant women should consume foods rich in manganese to protect their children
from skeletal defects.
2. Tooth Pain If you suffer with tooth pain or aching gums
then you may apply a small amount of clove oil to relieve pain. Studies show that the
healing compounds in clove oil work as a natural anaesthetic in the mouth, and can also protect
the teeth from erosion and cavities.
3. Breath Historically, people would chew on a few cloves
before meeting royalty to fight off bad breath. The strong aromatic smell of these dried flowers
helps to destroy odour causing bacteria in the mouth and make the breath smell fresh.
4. Liver Support Cloves contain natural compounds like eugenol
which can help to fight fatty liver disease by improving liver function. This helps your
body to filter out toxins and waste to protect you from long term illnesses and liver cirrhosis,
especially if you consume lots of sugar or alcohol.
5. Fly Repellent There is an age old remedy to help keep flies
out of the home during the summer months. Simply slice a fresh lime or lemon in half
and place cloves into the fruit. The reaction between the acid of the lemon and the aroma
of the cloves helps to deter flies. Place these near windows and doors to help keep
these pests out of the home.
6. Fights Aging Cloves are one of the richest antioxidant
spices in the world and are even rated above cinnamon and turmeric on the ORAC scale. Antioxidants
found in cloves help to protect the body against premature aging and free radical damage. This
can help to slow the aging process and protect the organs such as the eyes from oxidative
stress which comes with age.
7. Skin Health Clove oil can be used topically on the skin
to help relieve chronic itching. We highly recommend mixing a few drops with a carrier
oil like coconut oil and applying directly to the skin. The antibacterial compounds in
cloves can reduce swelling, fight acne and kill infectious bacteria on the skin naturally.
8. Mouthwash You can make a powerful natural mouthwash
by mixing warm water with tea tree oil, cloves and basil. A study showed that using this
mixture for 21 days improved gum health and reduced plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
9. Insulin Resistance Cloves contain a compound called nigericin
which has been shown to help muscle cells to absorb glucose and sugar. This helps to
balance blood sugar levels and may be useful for those suffering with diabetes. We always
recommend getting a good balance of healthy spices and herbs in the diet to help regulate
blood sugar levels.
10. Lung Health Clove oil has been shown in some studies to
help fight off respiratory infections in the lungs such as pneumonia and influenza. Clove
Oil was added to a liquid culture and used in a vaporiser to help kill off viral infections
from within the lungs, however more research is currently required.
11. Flavour Cloves have a sweet aromatic flavour and are
used in many seasonal recipes. You will often find ground cloves added to pumpkin pies,
gingerbreads and mulled wine because it has a very pleasant aroma.
12. Clove Tea One of the best ways to enjoy the medicinal
properties of cloves is by steeping them in hot water to make a herbal tea. This tea is
packed full of antioxidants and will help to strengthen your body, and make it more
resistant to disease. They have been shown to help fight off harmful bacteria, yeast
and mould in the body.
13. Anti-Cancer Test tube studies show that clove oil can
destroy breast, cervical and colon cancer cells. Antioxidant rich foods like cloves
can help to repair DNA and cut off blood supply to cancer cells in the body. Following a healthy
no sugar diet is also very important when fighting this awful disease.
14. Oil Burners You can purchase clove essential oil from
aromatherapy stores and diffuse using an oil burner. This will help the room to smell fresh,
warm and inviting, especially during the winter months. Some of its healing compounds are
released into the air which help to relax the body and mind.
15. Fungal Infections Clove oil has been shown to fight fungal infections
such as athletes foot, fungal toenail infection, and thrush. It contains potent compounds that
destroy the fungus and help the cells to heal from damage.
16. Hair Growth Many people use clove oil as a natural remedy
to promote hair growth because it contains antioxidants and minerals that help to produce
collagen. Massaging diluted clove oil into the scalp can improve blood circulation and
fight off any dandruff or fungus that may be blocking hair follicles.
17. Cooking We recommend grinding cloves with a pestle
and mortar and adding to delicious meat marinades and salad dressings. It has a wonderful flavour
and works well with gamy meats and duck in particular.
18. Nausea In folk medicine, cloves are used as a natural
remedy for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. The compounds inside are said to
settle the stomach when taking long journeys by car or boat, however we find that spice
known as ginger works much better at fighting nausea.
19. Bloating We highly recommend mixing equal amounts of
cloves and cardamom to help calm the stomach and dispel gas. These spices help to soothe
digestion and improve the pumping action of the colon called peristalsis.
20. Weight Loss When trying to lose weight it is important
to get lots of leafy greens, spices and herbs into your diet. Spices like cloves, turmeric
and cinnamon help to reduce insulin resistance in the body, so that you can tap into your
own fat reserves for energy. Spices can help to speed up the weight loss process, especially
when following a low carb diet.
21. Nutrients Cloves are one of the richest sources of manganese
and also contain Vitamin K, fibre and small amounts of iron, magnesium and calcium. Their
main benefits come from their healing compounds including eugenols, and other phenolic compounds.
22. Origins Clove Tree Cloves are the unopened pink flower buds taken
from the evergreen clove tree. These are picked by hand and dried until they turn brown in
colour. The Latin name for cloves is Eugenia caryophyllus.
As you can see, cloves have some fantastic health benefits for the human body, especially
when consumed regularly.
Ryan Logo In our other videos we discuss the benefits
of many other super foods, especially herbs spices and tonics.
To learn more about nutrition and herbal medicines, please see our other videos.
Thank you very much for listening, a like
is always appreciated and remember to subscribe and tap the bell for more healthy videos.
I wish you great health, wealth and happiness.