Clove or Syzygium aromaticum is a tiny little spice which has many amazing remedial (healing) properties.  As we know, traditionally cloves have an important place in the Indian kitchen as a strong spice mixed with chillies, cinnamon, turmeric and other spices in the preparation of traditional Indian curry powder. Moreover, considered as a very strong spice due to the eugenol chemical that makes up most of the clove's taste (85 percent), the quantity of clove used in recipes is usually small.

As a matter of fact, Cloves are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and western herbalism and dentistry where the essential oil is used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental emergencies. Cloves are used as a carminative, to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to improve peristalsis. Cloves are also said to be a natural anthelmintic. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy when stimulation and warming are needed, especially for digestive problems. Topical application over the stomach or abdomen are said to warm the digestive tract. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache. Cloves may be used internally as a tea and topically as an oil for hypotonic muscles, including for multiple sclerosis while also reducing blood sugar levels.

The buds have anti-oxidant properties. In addition, clove oil is used in preparation of some toothpastes, laxative pills and Clovacaine solution which is a local anesthetic and used in oral ulceration and anti-inflammations. Eugenol (or clove oil generally) is mixed with Zinc oxide to be a temporary filling.

Problems like Toothache, Digestive problems, Coughs, Hypertension, Stress can be very well  treated with cloves, like a magic!

Clove may be small in size but huge in power!

Note:Excess consumption may be harmful, as we all know, too much of everything is injurious to health!

(AW:Samrat Biswas)