Summary
Clove, scientifically known as Syzygium aromaticum, is a narrow evergreen tree native to Indonesia and the Maluku Islands, and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Known for its small aromatic flower buds, which are also referred to as cloves, it is cultivated for its spice in many warm countries including Mexico, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Cloves are notable for their widespread use in global cuisines, offering a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor to an array of dishes. They are a key ingredient in spice blends such as garam masala and Chinese five-spice powder and are often used to flavor meats, fruits, and hot beverages.
In addition to its culinary uses, cloves have a significant role in traditional medicine and recent scientific studies have begun to investigate their potential health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, cloves are believed to offer numerous health benefits including reducing tooth pain, stabilizing blood sugar levels, supporting liver health, and even aiding in respiratory infections or asthma. However, despite these potential benefits, caution is advised due to possible side effects and negative interactions with certain medications.
Clove’s cultural significance is vast, especially in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of cloves. Beyond its role in culinary and medicinal practices, cloves also hold spiritual meanings across various cultures and are used in traditional handicrafts. Furthermore, recent research has suggested potential therapeutic properties against SARS-CoV-2, and its antioxidant capacity is extensively studied. Despite its extensive uses and potential benefits, the consumption and usage of cloves should be done under the guidance of a medical professional.
Description and Physical Characteristics of Clove
Clove is a narrow, evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family, known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum. The tree can reach a height of up to 14 meters, roughly equivalent to 45 feet. The trunk is typically gray in color, while the leaves on the shoots are shiny and dark green. These leaves are oval in shape and have a very strong smell.
The clove tree produces small, aromatic flower buds which are commonly known as cloves. These flower buds are small and cherry in color, and they grow in triple clusters at the end of the stem. It’s also interesting to note that cloves often resemble small nails, hence their name from the Latin “clavus”, which means nail.
In favorable conditions, these evergreen trees can grow over 10 meters tall. However, when cultivated in a container, they remain much smaller due to the limited root space, often reaching up to 2 meters tall. This is particularly important in commercial cultivation, as clove buds must be harvested by hand, making the trees are often kept small with regular pruning. Despite their small size in containers, these potted clove trees can infrequently blossom, producing green, egg-shaped, and leathery leaves. These leaves are home to oil glands that release the essential oil of cloves.
In terms of habitat, the clove tree is native to Indonesia and the Maluku Islands or Moluccas. However, it has naturalized in many warm countries including Mexico, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Ideal growing conditions for the tree include at least 50 to 70 inches of annual rainfall. The plant has been cultivated since 200 B.C. to produce cloves, with evidence of its use dating back to the 100s BC to 200s BC. The clove tree originates from the Moluccas, an Indonesian archipelago once called the Spice Islands, but due to climate constraints, its cultivation remains limited in Europe.
Uses of Clove in Global Cuisines
Cloves are used globally in a wide array of cuisines including those of Asian, African, Mediterranean, and Near and Middle Eastern countries. They are employed in flavoring meats such as baked ham, and fruit like apples, pears, and rhubarb. Hot beverages are often given aromatic and flavor qualities through the addition of cloves, sometimes alongside other ingredients such as lemon and sugar. This spice is a key ingredient in various spice blends, such as garam masala and Chinese five-spice powder, and is used in a balance of sweet and savory recipes. They add a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor to dishes. One common holiday tradition, particularly prominent in many cultures, involves inserting cloves into an orange for decorative purposes.
The popularity of cloves grew in Europe during the Middle Ages. They were often used to disinfect the air during disease outbreaks due to their antimicrobial properties, in addition to their inclusion in traditional European cuisine, where they added warmth and depth to various dishes.
It is common to stud a baked ham with whole cloves, which infuses the meat with the spice’s unique flavor as it bakes. Ground cloves can be added to recipes just like any other ground spices and used in spice blends. Beyond Asian cooking, cloves have plenty of culinary uses. They remain an integral part of Indonesian dishes like Rendang, Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), and Soto Ayam, and add depth, aroma, and complexity to a wide range of dishes. This intensely aromatic spice has a subtly sweet flavor that lends plenty of warmth to any dish, pairing well with other rich, slightly sweet spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, with a slight note of bitterness and astringency that counterbalances the sweetness. These small dark brown pods are used in curries, seasoned meats, Worcestershire sauce, baked goods, chai, and Chinese five-spice blends.
A few examples of cloves’ versatility include their use in pickled beets spiced with cinnamon, bay leaves, allspice, and cloves that make for a beautiful cocktail snack. Cloves are also included in the warming beverage of steeped spices in hot water and milk before adding black tea. Café Brûlot, a signature cocktail of New Orleans, includes cloves along with warmed orange liqueur and cognac, fresh lemon and lime juice, cinnamon, and hot coffee for a satisfying, boozy after-dinner drink.
Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Clove
Cloves have a long history of use in cooking and traditional medicine, with their potential health benefits only recently coming under scientific study . An important medicinal plant, cloves have been used traditionally to treat various ailments . Its medicinal applications and health benefits are extensive and diverse.
Cloves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and dietary fiber . These components make cloves a potent agent against oxidative stress which can contribute to chronic diseases . Studies suggest that cloves may have several health benefits including reducing tooth pain, stabilizing blood sugar levels, supporting liver health, and even aiding in respiratory infections or asthma .
Cloves have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of microorganisms like bacteria . In addition, they can be used to increase the shelf life of food products by hindering lipid peroxidation, a process which frequently occurs during food processing and storage .
Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine recognizes cloves for their ability to regulate blood sugar. A 2019 study found that participants who took 250 milligrams of clove extract daily for 30 days exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels after meals .
Cloves have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties. They contain many compounds known for these properties, with eugenol being the most significant . A study found that clove essential oil significantly inhibited many pro-inflammatory cytokines in pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblast cells .
Moreover, cloves have been found to have a high antioxidant activity, providing a powerful source of antioxidants . While the benefits of cloves are manifold, it is important to consume them in moderation as there can be potential side effects . They can be consumed in various forms such as whole cloves, ground form in cooking, and clove tea . They’re also available in other forms like mouthwashes, gels, creams, and oils . Further research is needed to explore the full potential of cloves in health and medicine.
Potential Side Effects and Warnings
Despite the various health benefits of cloves, it is important to be aware of their potential side effects. Some of these side effects may occur as a result of negative interactions with certain medications such as aspirin, heparin, ticlopidine, and blood thinning medications like Warfarin. These interactions can lead to serious complications, including hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar levels.
There is also potential for toxicity from cloves, with extreme cases potentially leading to coma, seizures, and liver or renal failure. As such, individuals considering the use of cloves for health benefits should discuss this with a medical professional to ensure safety.
Specific caution should be exercised when considering the use of cloves by children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Clove oil is likely unsafe for children to ingest, even in small amounts, as it can cause severe side effects such as seizures, liver damage, and fluid imbalances. Similarly, due to a lack of reliable information, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women stick to food amounts of clove to stay on the safe side.
Studies and Research Supporting Clove Benefits
Clove has a long history of usage in cooking and traditional medicine, and recent scientific studies have begun to investigate its potential health benefits. The health benefits of cloves include reducing tooth pain and blood sugar levels, largely due to their rich content of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These compounds can potentially reduce oxidative stress, which could otherwise contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
In terms of antioxidant properties, the oil derived from cloves has been evaluated using various in vitro antioxidant assays, including α,α-diphenyl-β-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity determination by ferric thiocyanate, total reducing ability determination by Fe3+–Fe2+ transformation method, superoxide anion radical scavenging by riboflavin/methionine/illuminate system, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ferrous ions (Fe2+) chelating activities. The results of these assays have indicated clove oil’s strong antioxidant capacity.
Additionally, recent studies have suggested that phytochemicals from cloves might have potential as therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. One of these phytochemicals, eugenol, has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19, but further in vitro research is necessary to determine its effectiveness.
Lastly, clove Essential Oil (EO) was studied for its antimicrobial effects against Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness, indicating another potential health benefit of cloves. However, as with all herbal products, it is recommended to discuss the usage and safety of cloves with a medical professional.
Cultural Significance and Traditional Uses of Clove
Clove, a rich aromatic spice, has held immense historical and cultural significance, especially in Indonesia. Known as the world’s largest producer of cloves, the spice is deeply embedded in Indonesia’s diverse culture, traditions, and history. In addition to being used in cuisine, cloves also find their place in traditional Indonesian handicrafts, including wooden carvings and pottery, thereby showcasing the profound cultural significance they hold.
Moreover, clove carries a wealth of spiritual meanings across various cultures. It has been widely used in spiritual practices, rituals, and ceremonies, particularly due to its potent fragrance. Its versatility allows it to be burned, carried, or infused in oil, marking its presence in spiritual traditions, including Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Hoodoo, and Wiccan.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, for instance, cloves, or ‘Ding Xiang’, are used for treating Internal Cold associated with Qi Deficiency and/or Yang Deficiency.
In ancient times, cloves also held significance in Chinese court culture. During the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE), cloves were used to freshen breath when courtiers addressed the emperor. Arab traders later made cloves available to the Mediterranean region, where they found diverse uses that were aromatic, medicinal, and culinary.
The content is provided by Blake Sterling, Lifelong Health Tips
