Clove is one of the versatile spices that is often used in making food, drinks, and even as a mixture in making cigarettes. Behind these uses, cloves are also often used as traditional medicines. So, what are the benefits of cloves for health?
Cloves which have a Latin name Syzygium aromaticum is a dried flower stalk that comes from the tree family Mirtaceae. Since centuries ago, cloves have been used as a spice in cooking as well as herbal medicine. In addition to the leaves, flowers, and fruit, clove oil is also often used as aromatherapy and topical medicine to relieve toothache.
Clove Benefits for Health
In one teaspoon or about 2 grams of cloves, there are 21 calories of energy, 1 gram of fiber, and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Cloves also contain other nutrients such as potassium, manganese, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, folate, antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. So no wonder, these various nutrients support the health benefits of cloves. Various uses of cloves in the world of health, including:
- Reduce toothacheClove oil is believed to be able to overcome pain due to toothache. This is because the eugenol compound contained in cloves can reduce pain in the teeth and gums. Cloves have also been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Several studies have shown that the compound eugenol is effective in relieving pain, inflammation, and infection. However, there is not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of the benefits of cloves in relieving toothache.
- Help treat stomach ulcersGastric ulcers often occur due to thinning of gastric mucus or increased stomach acid which is influenced by various factors, such as stress and infection. Consuming cloves when experiencing stomach ulcers is thought to be able to help treat this condition. According to a study, essential oil from cloves can increase the production of gastric mucus. Gastric mucus itself functions as a barrier to stomach acid and prevents injury to the stomach wall due to gastric acid fluid. However, the effectiveness of cloves as herbal medicine to treat digestive disorders, such as gastric ulcers, still needs to be investigated further.
- Inhibits bacterial growthCloves have antibacterial properties that can stop the growth of bacteria that cause infection. According to a study, essential oil from cloves effectively kills bacteria E. coli which can cause diarrhea. Not only that, cloves also help maintain oral health and stop the growth of various types of bacteria in the mouth. The antibacterial effect of cloves can also inhibit the growth of germs on the skin that cause acne.
- Prevent premature ejaculationClove oil is also thought to be able to prevent premature ejaculation. According to research, applying a cream containing cloves mixed with other ingredients such as ginseng to the skin of the penis can prevent premature ejaculation. The result is quite effective.
- Maintain heart healthThe content of eugenol compounds in cloves is believed to help improve liver health. A laboratory study revealed that the eugenol content in cloves can improve liver function and reduce inflammation. The benefits of cloves that contain eugenol are believed to be able to help prevent cirrhosis. But in fact, research on the benefits of cloves on liver health is still very minimal clinically done in humans, so further research is needed to strengthen this statement.
- Maintain bone healthBone loss can lead to osteoporosis. A study reported that the compound eugenol in cloves was able to maintain and increase bone density. In addition, the manganese content in cloves is believed to help the process of bone formation. Even so, the benefits of cloves for maintaining bone health are also still not clinically proven.
- Has a pain-relieving effectThe benefits of cloves have traditionally been proven to relieve toothache and pain due to inflammation. Animal studies have shown that the chemical compounds in cloves have anti-pain, anti-inflammatory, and prevent nerve cell damage. However, clinical studies in humans are still needed to confirm the benefits of this one clove.
Before being used as a herbal medicine, keep in mind that cloves also have side effects, which include allergic reactions, irritation of the skin and gums, liver disorders, and inhibition of blood-thinning drugs. Cloves as an herbal medicine should also not be given to children, pregnant or lactating women, and people who have liver disorders.
Although cloves have long been believed to be herbal medicines that can cure various diseases, there is not enough clinical evidence to support the allegations related to the benefits of cloves. If you still want to get the benefits of cloves, always consult your doctor first to prevent possible side effects.
