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The active
principles in the clove are known to have antioxidant, anti-septic, local anaesthetic,
anti-inflammatory, rubefacient (warming and soothing), carminative and
anti-flatulent properties.
The spice
contains many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, a
phenyl-propanoids class of chemical compound, which gives pleasant, sweet
aromatic fragrances to the clove-bud. Eugenol has local anaesthetic and
antiseptic properties, hence; useful in dental treatment procedures.
The other
important constituents in this spice include:-
Essential oils:
acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene and vanillin, crategolic acid;
Tannins:
gallotannic acid, methyl salicylate (pain-killer);
The flavonoids:
eugenin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and eugenitin;
Triterpenoids:
like oleanolic acid, stigmasterol and campesterol;
And several
sesquiterpenes.
The active
principles in the clove may increase the motility of the gastro-intestinal
tract as well as improve the digestion power by increasing gastro-intestinal
enzyme secretions. Thus, helps relieve indigestion and constipation problems.
The spice also contains
good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and
magnesium. Potassium in an important electrolyte of cell and body fluids that
helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a
co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
It contains very
good amounts of vitamin A and beta carotene levels. These compounds are known
to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required by the body for
maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision.
Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids helps to protect body from lung
and oral cavity cancers.
This spice is a
good source of vitamin-K, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1),
vitamin-C and riboflavin. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body
develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen free
radicals.
Better Digestion: Cloves improve digestion by stimulating the secretion of
digestive enzymes. Cloves are also good for reducing flatulence, gastric
irritability, dyspepsia and nausea. Cloves can be roasted, powdered, and taken
with honey for relief in digestive disorders.
Antibacterial
Properties: Cloves have been tested for their
antibacterial properties against a number of human pathogens. The extracts of
cloves were potent enough to kill those pathogens. Clove extracts are also
effective against the specific bacteria that spreads cholera.
Chemo-Preventive
Properties: Cloves are of interest to the medical
community due to their chemo-preventive or anti-carcinogenic properties. Tests
have showed that cloves are helpful in controlling lung cancer in its early
stages.
Liver Protection: Cloves contain high amounts of antioxidants, which are ideal for
protecting the organs from the effects of free radicals, especially the liver.
Metabolism, in the long run, increases free radical production and lipid
profile, while decreasing the antioxidants in the liver. Clove extracts are
helpful in counteracting those effects with its hepatoprotective properties.
Diabetes Control: Cloves have been used in many traditional remedies for a number
of diseases. One such disease is diabetes. In patients suffering from diabetes,
the amount of insulin produced by the body is not sufficient or insulin is not
produced at all. Studies have revealed that extracts from cloves imitate
insulin in certain ways and help in controlling blood sugar levels.
Bone Preservation: The hydro-alcoholic extracts of cloves include phenolic
compounds such as eugenol and its derivatives, such as flavones, is flavones
and flavonoids. These extracts have been particularly helpful in preserving
bone density and the mineral content of bone, as well as increasing tensile
strength of bones in cases of osteoporosis.
Anti-Mutagenic
Properties: Mutagens are those chemicals that change the
genetic makeup of the DNA by causing mutations. Biochemical compounds found in
cloves, like phenylpropanoids, possess anti-mutagenic properties. These were
administered on cells treated with mutagens and they were able to control the
mutagenic effects to a significant rate.
Boosts the Immune
System: Ayurveda describes certain plants to be effective in developing
and protecting the immune system. One such plant is clove. The dried flower bud
of clove contains compounds that help in improving the immune system by
increasing the white blood cell count, thereby improving delayed type
hypersensitivity.
Anti-Inflammatory
Properties: Cloves possess anti-inflammatory and
pain-killing properties. Studies on clove extracts being administered in lab
rats suggest that the presence of eugenol reduced the inflammation caused by
edema. It was also confirmed that eugenol has the ability to reduce pain by
stimulating pain receptors.
Cure for Oral
Diseases: Cloves can be taken for gum diseases like
gingivitis and periodontitis. Clove bud extracts significantly controlled the
growth of oral pathogens, which are responsible for various oral diseases.
Cloves can also be used for toothaches due to their pain-killing properties.
Aphrodisiac
Properties: Spices such as clove and nutmeg have been
said to possess aphrodisiac properties, according to Unani medicine.
Experiments on clove and nutmeg extracts were tested against standard drugs
administered for that reason and both clove and nutmeg showed positive results.
Cure for Headaches: Headaches can be reduced by using cloves. Make a paste of a few
cloves and mix it with a dash of rock salt. Add this to a glass of milk. This
mixture reduces headaches quickly and effectively.
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