Cloves: 20 benefits that make the body a doctor’s substitute

Cloves are a unique herb, the dried flower buds of which are used all over the world to add distinctive flavors to food, however, few users of cloves are aware of the many medicinal properties it possesses. Cloves have been used in the Asian subcontinent for thousands of years, both as a spice and as a medicine in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine). In this article, we will explain to you the most important health benefits of cloves and how important the benefits of cloves are for the body.

Benefits of cloves

Cloves and their nutritional elements:

It is a spice rich in many important nutrients. It contains large amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. It is also rich in many minerals important for health (especially magnesium), and it also contains many vitamins.

The minerals found in it include iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc and calcium.

Vitamins found in cloves include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folic acid, vitamin B6/vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E/vitamin K and vitamin D.

Cloves also contain many biochemicals such as eugenol, ethanol, thymol, benzene, flavonoids, hexane, and methylene chloride, which makes it rich in antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-hepatic properties.

Below we will explain to you some of the medical and health benefits of cloves, in addition to natural treatments that will help you benefit from the amazing benefits of cloves.

Benefits of cloves

1- Cloves aid digestion:

It helps improve the digestion process due to its high content of biochemicals, by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes, and it also helps reduce cases of indigestion and nausea.

To improve your digestion process, all you have to do is: Roast a few clove buds, then grind them until they turn into powder. Mix the clove powder with honey and eat the mixture to reduce digestive disorders.

2- Cloves to protect the liver from diseases:

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in clove extract help protect the body’s organs from free radicals, and it also helps increase metabolism and reduce the production of antioxidants in the liver.

To protect your liver from diseases by using it, all you have to do is the following: You can use whole cloves or powder in your meals.

3- Cloves for antibacterial properties:

Clove extract is effective against bacteria that spread diseases such as cholera, and its buds are known to contain strong antibacterial properties that are powerful enough to kill human pathogens.

4- Cloves for mouth pain and oral diseases:

Cloves are found as an essential ingredient in more than 99% of toothpastes. The main reason for this is their high content of biochemical compounds that have pain-killing properties. They are known to relieve toothaches. They were also used in ancient Ayurveda in medical practices for gum diseases such as gingivitis. The extracts found in them control the growth of pathogens that can lead to various oral diseases, thus maintaining healthy oral hygiene.

5- Cloves have anti-cancer properties:

It has many anti-cancer properties. Cloves have been tested for their anti-cancer properties, and it has been shown that cloves can help control lung cancer in the early stages of the disease.

6- Cloves maintain bone health:

Clove buds contain hydrocholic compounds such as flavonoids, eugenol, and isoflavones. These phenolic compounds help maintain bone density. They are beneficial in increasing bone strength, preventing osteoporosis, and helping to maintain healthy bone mineral content. Furthermore, the minerals and vitamins found in clove extracts such as magnesium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and vitamin K help the body absorb calcium from food, leading to healthier bones.

7- Cloves enhance immunity:

Using it as a spice in daily preparations or adding it as a spice to dishes can increase the strength of immunity in food. Moreover, it increases the number of white blood cells, which leads to improving the condition of delayed hypersensitivity.

8- Cloves have anti-mutagenic properties:

Firstly, chemicals that alter the genetic makeup of DNA through genetic mutations are known as mutagens. One can control the mutagenic effects to a certain extent with the help of biochemical compounds present in clove extract, such as phenylpropanoids. These compounds have anti-mutagenic properties.

9- Cloves have the ability to control diabetes:

It is a useful treatment for diabetes. Patients who suffer from diabetes have a lower amount of insulin hormone produced by the body. Clove extracts work to increase insulin hormone in certain ways and maintain blood sugar levels.

10- Cloves and controlling bad breath:

You can get rid of bad breath by eating clove buds daily. The buds release the necessary enzymes that kill the bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.

You can consume its buds. To eat clove buds, all you have to do is soak them in water for 10 minutes before adding them to your favorite soup or salad, and thus you get rid of bad breath and mouth odor.

11- Cloves to treat morning sickness:

Although this condition is called morning sickness, it is not limited to the hours before noon only. Pregnant women can be exposed to this condition throughout the day. Fortunately, one of the health benefits of cloves is that it has the ability to treat this condition to start your day in a refreshing and active way.

To treat morning sickness using it, all you have to do is the following: Mix eight to ten cloves with palm sugar and tamarind, add water to the mixture, and drink this solution twice a day for two weeks to get the best results.

12- Cloves help treat flatulence:

Bloating is caused by the accumulation of gases in the digestive tract, which not only causes discomfort in the body but also leads to pain in the lower abdomen.

One of the health benefits of cloves is that it has the ability to reduce flatulence that accumulates throughout the day.

To treat flatulence using it, all you have to do is the following: Take four to five cloves of it, boil them in water, and drink this mixture on an empty stomach every morning to treat flatulence.

13- Cloves to treat respiratory infections and colds:

Adding cloves to food during respiratory congestion can help you get rid of the infection. One of the health benefits of cloves is that they work as an excellent expectorant, which thins the mucus in the esophagus and throat to help treat coughs.

Its antimicrobial properties also kill pathogens that can lead to sore throats and chest congestion.

To treat common colds using cloves:

Eating a bud of it every day with three buds of black pepper can help treat colds naturally. Alternatively, mix a few drops of clove oil and honey in lukewarm water, and drink the mixture two or three times a day to treat colds.

To treat respiratory infections using cloves: Prepare a tea using 2 chopped cardamom seeds, a cinnamon stick, and 2 clove buds, and mix them with hot water in a large mug with a tea bag. Leave the ingredients in the mug for a few minutes before drinking.

14- Cloves help prevent stress and tension:

One of the most popular health benefits of cloves is that it has the ability to reduce stress and tension.

To prevent stress and nervous pressure by using it, all you have to do is the following: According to Ayurveda, mix it with cardamom, basil, mint and warm water. You can add honey to the mixture. Alternatively, you can inhale clove essential oil with lavender oil using a diffuser at night to overcome a tiring and stressful day.

15- Cloves help treat wounds, skin cuts and rashes:

Its oil is known to have therapeutic properties and can be applied topically to skin rashes, scabies, wounds, skin cuts, fungal infections, stings, bites and athlete’s foot.

You should make sure that the affected area is clean before applying clove oil to it, and you should know that, if the infection spreads, you should seek medical help, as the health benefits of cloves are not intended to replace professional medical treatment.

16- Cloves and acne treatment and treatment of spots and scars:

One of the amazing properties of cloves is its powerful narcotic properties. Cloves help prevent and treat acne on the skin. They also treat blemishes, scars, and fight bacteria that cause skin problems. Cloves have been widely used in the manufacture of facial and skin care products, massage creams, and other cosmetic products that treat acne.

How to use cloves to remove acne and treat skin blemishes and scars:

Clove essential oil has strong antimicrobial properties, and provides the skin with many health benefits when applied daily and regularly. However, it is highly recommended that when using its oil directly on the skin, it should be done under the supervision of a medical specialist.

Alternatively, you can choose to use its oil with a carrier oil added to it. This mixture is safe to use and does not require a specialized medical prescription. You can follow the following method: Mix 1 drop of its oil with 10 drops of coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil. Apply the mixture topically to the affected area. This method should be repeated regularly to get the best results.

17- Cloves as a face mask to treat skin problems:

This natural herbal mask kills bacteria that cause pimples, and leaves the skin glowing and radiant by increasing blood flow to the area where the mask is applied.

To make a clove mask for more vibrant, cleaner and glowing skin, follow the following method: Mix a teaspoon of cloves with a few drops of fresh lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to the face and neck and leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse your face well with cold water.

18- Cloves prevent hair loss:

Hair thinning and hair loss is a common effect of aging, and fortunately one of the health benefits of cloves is that clove oil can help hair grow and thicken and reduce hair loss.

To prevent hair loss by using its oil, all you have to do is the following: Mix a tablespoon of its oil with three tablespoons of camphor oil in olive oil and massage the scalp with this mixture regularly.

19 – Cloves to refresh hair color and add shine to hair:

Cloves help to refresh hair color and add natural shine to your hair. Cloves help to condition hair color.

All you have to do is the following: Add a few clove buds to boiling water, leave the mixture to settle for a while, and rinse your hair with the cooled mixture after washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

20 – Cloves to treat headaches:

It helps relieve headache pain. Clove is one of the best natural, chemical-free treatments that help treat headaches and migraines.

To use cloves to treat headaches, all you have to do is the following: Take about 6 to 7 pieces of cloves and grind them until you get a paste. Mix this paste with rock salt, then add the mixture to a cup of lukewarm milk. Drink this mixture to get quick and effective relief from headache pain.

How to choose the best clove buds

It is better to buy whole cloves instead of buying powdered cloves. The size of the cloves is usually about 0.25 inches. Good quality cloves can release some clove oil when squeezed with your fingernails. We advise you to choose cloves that are grown organically to get the best types of cloves so that you get all the health benefits from them.

• To test the quality of cloves, follow these steps:
• Put cloves in a cup of water.
• The ones that float in the water in a vertical position are of good quality.
• Those that sink or float horizontally are of poor quality.

How to store cloves

It should be stored in a tightly sealed glass container, and it should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Whole cloves can stay fresh for about a year, while ground cloves can be stored for only six months. To increase the shelf life of cloves, you can store them in the refrigerator.