Cloves are small, dark-brown flower buds, obtained from of an evergreen tree known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum. Clove flower buds are harvested before they blossom, and they are characterized by their strong aroma, flavor, and health benefits. Cloves originated from the tropical regions of Indonesia and find applications in cooking, medicine, and beauty products.
Common Chemical Constituents of Cloves
Cloves are abundant in several bioactive chemical compounds like eugenol, β-caryophyllene, humulene, chavicol, methyl salicylate, α-ylangene, and eugenone; the flavonoids eugenin, rhamnetin, kaempferol, and eugenitin; triterpenoids like oleanolic acid, stigmasterol, and campesterol; and several sesquiterpenes. However, eugenol is the most abundant component of cloves and responsible for most of the bioactivities associated with cloves.
Continue reading to discover the potentials of cloves in foods, health and beauty products.
Culinary Uses
Different cultures use cloves differently in spicing-up their dishes. However, cloves are quite versatile in the kitchen due to their sweet aroma. Some of their amazing kitchen applications are:
Condiments: Cloves are part of the Chinese five-spice powder and South Asian mixture of spices, garam masala.
Seasoning: Cloves are used to season pastries and stews. In Nigeria, cloves are quite handy in seasoning fried and jollof rice to give them inviting and sweet aroma.
Beverages: Cloves are added to teas, cider, wine, and other beverages to enhance their flavor. In Nigeria, cloves are one of the major condiments used to improve the aroma of the Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf beverage (aka zobo drink). Whole cloves can also be soaked in water with other spices like ginger, turmeric, black pepper, mixed with lemon and taken as tea.
Pickling: In pickles, cloves are one of the spices used in their preparation.
Some Products of Cloves
Beyond the spice bottles, cloves are found in a variety of products:
Clove Essential Oil: This is extracted from clove buds through steam distillation, and it’s known for its antiseptic and other properties. Clove oil is commonly used in cosmetics and hair products.
Clove Capsules: To harness the health benefits of cloves, they have been formulated into supplements.
Clove Powder: Powdered clove buds are always handy in culinary preparations.
Clove Cigarettes (Kreteks): This contains clove oil and tobacco. However, Kreteks has since been banned in US due to serious health impact associated with it. Remember that cigarette is dangerous to your health and avoid it completely.
How to Use Cloves
Here’re a few tips on how to use your cloves for optimal benefits.
Cooking Tip: As a spice, addition of cloves to your food should be minimal in order not to mask the aroma and flavor of other ingredient by the strong aroma of cloves.
Whole and Ground: Ground cloves are suitable as a spice and condiment, while whole cloves are best for beverages and slow-cooked dishes.
Preservation: Keep cloves in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place to maintain their potency. If well-preserved, whole cloves can last for about a year, while the powdered cloves last for about six months.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Apart from the culinary applications of cloves, they are also packed with nutrients and medicinal properties. These health benefits are because of important chemical compounds also known as natural products present in cloves. A research article summarizes numerous biological activities associated with essential oil of cloves which include:
Anticancer Properties: A test tube test of cloves extract on human cancer cell lines showed activity against the cell lines1. Cloves extract also showed inhibition of tumor growth when given to mice infected with cancer cells2. However, this study reported that the extract also affected healthy cells in the mice.
Antidiabetic Properties: Cloves powder reduced the blood glucose level of rats treated with it in a scientific study3. This is an indication that cloves have potentials to control type 2 diabetes.
Antioxidant Properties: Cloves are rich in antioxidants such as eugenol and polyphenols, which help to reduce oxidative stress and elicit overall good health.
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties: Eugenol in cloves is responsible for the reduction in inflammation4 and pain associated with the consumption of cloves.
Antimicrobial Properties: Clove essential oil is a good source of antimicrobial molecules that is effective against certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi, especially those responsible for food spoilage5.
Digestive Health: Polyphenols in cloves are good sources of food for probiotics and commensal gut bacteria which promotes the overall gut health.
Oral Health: In traditional medicine, clove oil is often used in dental care for its ability to relieve toothache and its antimicrobial properties.
Other benefits of cloves and their products include:
Exfoliation: Powdered cloves and oil can be used with face masks and scrubs to exfoliate dead skin cells and for antiseptic benefits.
Acne Treatment: Clove oil mixed with beauty products can help clear up acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Anti-Aging: Clove oil is used an anti-aging creams and serums to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine-lines due to its antioxidant properties.
Hair Treatment: Clove oil in hair products help stimulate the scalp and promotes hair growth.
Insect Repellent: Topically, clove oil can serve as a natural repellent for insects ranging from ants, mosquitoes, and flies.
Potential Side Effects of Cloves and Their Products
Liver and Kidney Health: Excessive consumption of clove oil can cause liver and kidney damage due to its high eugenol content6.
Bleeding Disorders: Eugenol in cloves can slow blood clotting. People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications should use cloves with caution.
Allergic Reactions: When used topically, some people might develop allergic reactions like itching, rashes, and swelling.
Digestive Issues: When a large quantity of cloves is consumed, it might lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Irritation of Mouth and Throat: When cloves and their products are consumed in large quantities, they could cause irritation in the mouth and throat.
Precautions to be Taken When Using Cloves
- Don’t go overboard when using cloves; always stick to recommended dosages.
- For topical use, dilute clove essential oil with other neutral oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil to reduce any possible irritation. Also, do a patch test before applying clove oil to ensure you don’t react to cloves.
- Don’t use clove oil on children to avoid the risk of irritation and potential toxicity.
- Pregnant women should use cloves cautiously as recommended by a physician.
Summary
Notwithstanding the numerous benefits cloves offer, they should be used with caution, especially in large amounts or in concentrated forms like clove essential oil. On another note, if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider before adding cloves to your diet or health regimen. This way, you can safely enjoy the benefits of this powerful spice without the risk of adverse effects.
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References
1. Azim M H M, A. El. Anti-Tumor, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial and the Phenolic Constituents of Clove Flower Buds (Syzygium aromaticum). J Microb Biochem Technol s8, (2014).
2. Liu, H. et al. Clove extract inhibits tumor growth and promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Oncol Res 21, 247–259 (2013).
3. Adefegha, S. A., Oboh, G., Adefegha, O. M., Boligon, A. A. & Athayde, M. L. Antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of dietary clove (Szyzgium aromaticum) bud powder in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model. J Sci Food Agric 94, 2726–2737 (2014).
4. Bachiega, T. F., De Sousa, J. P. B., Bastos, J. K. & Sforcin, J. M. Clove and eugenol in noncytotoxic concentrations exert immunomodulatory/ anti-inflammatory action on cytokine production by murine macrophages. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 64, 610–616 (2012).
5. Takahashi, H. et al. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of allyl isothiocyanate, clove oil, eugenol and carvacrol against spoilage lactic acid bacteria. LWT 145, (2021).
6. National Library of Medicine. Eugenol (Clove Oil). Liver Toxicity 1–5 (2019).
Health is wealth
A vital article 👏
Thank you so much, David. We post a new topic every week, and you are always welcome to our blog for informative posts on healthy foods and lifestyle.