Top 10 Health Benefits of Cloves

Cloves are small, nail-shaped dried flower buds that come from the evergreen clove tree. They have a sweet, somewhat penetrating flavor and are often used in cooking as well as baking. Apart from its culinary uses, cloves can also play a key role in keeping your body healthy and free from many diseases.

The health benefits of cloves as well as clove oil can be attributed to their antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Cloves have at least 36 different ingredients, the most important being an essential oil called eugenol. Plus, cloves are rich in potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, dietary fiber, iodine, vitamins K and C, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and magnesium.

In Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, the dried flower buds, leaves, stems as well as the oil are used to make medicine. Whole cloves, powdered cloves and the oil can be easily found in the market year round.

The natural health benefits of cloves are simply amazing and you may be surprised to learn of their medicinal power.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of cloves.

1. Soothes Toothaches

When it comes to toothaches, one effective natural treatment is cloves or clove oil. Their anti-inflammatory and analgesic components will help reduce the swelling around an infected tooth and relieve pain. Plus, their antiseptic property will help fight the infection in the affected area and prevent it from spreading.

• Simply dab a little clove oil on a cotton ball and rub it on the sore tooth and the surrounding gums. Alternatively, you can grind two cloves, mix in a little olive oil and apply this mixture on the affected area.
• If you have clove leaves, place one crushed leaf on the painful tooth and leave it there for a few minutes.

2. Stops Bad Breath

Being a natural antiseptic, cloves are very helpful in getting rid of bad breath. Cloves can kill bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Plus, they help clean bacteria and decaying matter from the tongue, palate and upper part of the throat. Their strong aromatic qualities also help combat foul bad breath.

• Simply chew a few pieces of cloves and within a few minutes your bad breath will be gone.
• You can also gargle with cool clove tea two or three times a day.

3. Treats Nausea and Vomiting

Cloves can also relieve nausea due to their aromatic and soothing properties. They can even be used to treat pregnancy-related nausea and morning sickness.

• To get relief from nausea, put a few drops of clove oil on a handkerchief and inhale the smell. You can also chew one or two cloves.
• To stop vomiting, mix the powder of cloves with honey and swallow it. You can also mix a few drops of clove oil in a glass of warm water and drink it slowly.

4. Improves Digestion

Due to their carminative properties (prevent gas formation and relieve flatulence), cloves play a key role in the digestion process. They help boost digestion by promoting the production of enzymes present in the digestive tract.

Cloves also help relax the smooth lining of the gastrointestinal tract, in turn alleviating vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal gas, gastric irritability and stomach aches.

In addition, the essential oils in cloves are highly effective in reducing inflammation and killing bacteria in the stomach to help keep stomach infections at bay.

Simply add a little of this herb to your foods to improve digestion. Also, you can eat a clove after a meal as a mouth freshener.

5. Relieves Joint Pain

Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, clove oil can reduce inflammation and alleviate joint pain, muscle aches and arthritis pain. Being rich in calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and iron, clove oil also improves the strength of your joints and bones.

• Use a little clove oil mixed with a carrier oil like olive oil to massage painful joints, sore muscles and parts of the body affected by arthritis and rheumatism. Do this several times a day.
• Another option is to roast a few cloves, wrap them in a soft cloth and place the pouch on the affected body part while it is still warm until your pain is lessened.

6. Improves Respiratory Conditions

Both cloves and clove oil have been found to be very effective for the respiratory system due to their expectorant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

They can be used to treat the common cold, stuffy nose, sore throat, viral infections, asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis and various sinus conditions. Plus, this spice may also act as a potential chemoprotective agent for lung cancer.

• Simply drink two to three cups of clove tea daily when you are suffering from a respiratory condition.
• You can also add clove oil to hot water and inhale the aromatic steam.
• To prevent many respiratory problems, chew on one or two cloves on a regular basis.

7. Treats Headaches

Whether you have a headache due to tension, a migraine or cold, clove oil can help get rid of it quickly. Clove oil has pain-relieving as well anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, the cooling and soothing effect of the oil will help relieve pain.

• Simply put a few drops of clove oil on a piece of cloth or tissue and place it on your forehead and leave it on for about 15 minutes to help open the blood vessels and alleviate your headache.
• Another option is to mix one teaspoon of sea salt and two or three drops of clove oil in two teaspoons of almond oil, coconut oil or any carrier oil and massage it on your forehead.

8. Eases Earaches

The mild anesthetic and antibacterial properties present in cloves can give instant relief from an earache and treat ear infections.

• Combine equal amounts of clove oil and sesame oil and slightly warm the mixture. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and place it just inside the ear canal. The pain will quickly subside and it will help fight any infection that may be present.
• Another option is to mix one tablespoon of crushed cloves in one-fourth cup of hot olive oil. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then strain. Put a few drops of this oil in the affected ear, leave it in the ear for at least 10 minutes, and then drain it out.

9. Cures Acne

Cloves can also be used to treat acne and related skin problems like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, scarring and scaly skin. They are also very effective in preventing blemishes or marks that usually appear after acne has subsided.

Plus, the antimicrobial properties in cloves help kill bacteria and thus reduce the possibility of acne spreading to unaffected areas

To treat acne, mix clove oil with jojoba or coconut oil in a ratio of 1:10 and apply it on the affected area using a cotton swab twice daily until you get the desired result.

10. Fights Stress

Due to its strong yet soothing aroma, cloves can help you relax and reduce stress. Stress often causes the body’s muscles to become tense. Eugenol, a component present in cloves, is a well-known muscle relaxant.

• Add a few drops of clove oil to your bath water to help you relax while having a long relaxing soak. It will soothe your senses and relieve stress in the body.
• You can also drink a cup of clove tea to relieve stress.

With all of the health benefits that you can get from this herb, it’s a great idea to keep this spice handy. Bear in mind that too much use of cloves or clove oil at a time can have a negative impact on your health. So, in case of any doubt related to dosage, consult a doctor.