The POWER of Cloves Benefits: 12 Proven Health Benefits

Introduction

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a tree native to Indonesia. Its dried flower buds are a popular spice used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Clove oils, dried flower buds, leaves, and stems are used to make medicine. Clove oil contains eugenol, which might help decrease pain and fight infections. Clove is also a popular ingredient in cigarettes.

People commonly use clove for toothache, pain during dental work, dental plaque, hangover, indigestion, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Cloves

Cloves lend a fragrant aroma to foods like biryani, dal, curries, soups, and tea. They also display a superb nutritional profile, comprising numerous essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. They are inherently less in calories, making them ideal for weight loss, and they supply ample fiber to facilitate smooth digestion. Cloves are a vibrant source of manganese, a key trace or indication mineral for optimal brain functions, strengthening bones, and calcium and phosphorus.

Blessed with liberal quantities of vitamin K, cloves support prompt blood clotting processes in tissue injuries. At the same time, the vast reserves of potassium are precious for maintaining normal blood pressure & preventing hypertension. Cloves also have many compounds with potent antioxidant properties, mainly vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, eugenol, and gallic acid, which eliminate damaging free radicals from the body. This averts cancer risk, bolsters immunity, ensures optimal metabolism, and promotes healthy skin and hair.

Nutritional value of cloves

Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so adding whole or ground cloves to your food to add flavor can provide essential nutrients.

One teaspoon (tsp) (2 grams (g)) of ground cloves contains:

• Calories: 6
• Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Carbs: 1 g
• Vitamin K: 2% of the DV
• Fiber: 1 g

Manganese is a necessary mineral for maintaining brain function and constructing strong bones.

Besides being a vibrant source of manganese, cloves are only utilized in small amounts and do not provide significant amounts of nutrients.

Cloves Benefits

Cloves are highly valued in traditional medicine and modern research due to their exceptional concentration of bioactive compounds, particularly eugenol. While many studies are preclinical (test-tube or animal models), the evidence suggests a wide array of powerful health benefits when cloves are consumed as a spice or used in therapeutic extracts.

Here are 12 health benefits associated with cloves:

Pharmacological and Anti-Disease Benefits

1. Supercharged Antioxidant Power: Cloves are one of the most significant sources of antioxidants among all spices, primarily due to eugenol. They actively fight harmful free radicals, lowering cellular damage and oxidative stress.

2. Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Eugenol is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Like over-the-counter drugs, it potentially inhibits inflammatory enzymes (like COX-2) to help alleviate chronic pain and inflammation.

3. Anticancer Potential (Preclinical): Test-tube and animal studies suggest that compounds in cloves, especially eugenol, possess anticarcinogenic properties, promoting cell death (apoptosis) in various cancer lines (e.g., breast, colon).

4. Blood Sugar Regulation: Clove compounds may help manage blood sugar by supporting insulin function and improving insulin sensitivity, that is beneficial for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes.

5. Supports Liver Health: Preclinical research indicates that clove extracts may have hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects, helping reduce signs of fatty liver disease and counteracting damage from toxins.

Oral, Digestive, and Immune Benefits

6. Effective Toothache Relief (Analgesic): Clove oil, approved by the ADA (Adenosine deaminase) for dental use, acts as a natural anesthetic due to eugenol. It effectively numbs the nerves and temporarily relieves toothaches and dental pain.

7. Strong Antimicrobial Action: Cloves exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, helping fight common human pathogens, including certain strains of Candida and bacteria associated with dental plaque.

8. Promotes Digestive Wellness: Cloves help stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, that can aid in the efficient breakdown of food and ease symptoms like gas, bloating, and indigestion.

9. Protects the Stomach Lining: Animal studies suggest clove extract may help prevent or heal stomach ulcers by significantly increasing the production of protective gastric mucus.

10. Boosts the Immune System: The high concentration of antioxidants and Vitamin C, combined with their potent antimicrobial activity, helps fortify the immune response and may increase resistance against infections.

Nutrient and Structural Benefits

11. Excellent Source of Manganese: A single teaspoon of ground cloves supplies a significant portion of the Daily Value for manganese, a mineral vital for bone formation, metabolism, and brain function.

12. Supports Bone Health: The combination of manganese and the anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol is believed to contribute to increased bone density and overall bone health, which is a promising area of ongoing research.

Cloves benefits for hair

• Fights Dandruff and Scalp Infections: Cloves contain high concentrations of eugenol, a potent antifungal and antibacterial compound. When used as a rinse or infused oil, this property helps combat the Malassezia fungus that causes dandruff, reducing flaking and irritation.
• Stimulates Scalp Circulation: Clove oil creates a gentle warming sensation when massaged into the scalp. This action is believed to increase blood flow (circulation), ensuring hair follicles receive more oxygen and essential nutrients for healthy function and growth.
• Provides Potent Antioxidant Protection: Cloves are exceptionally rich in antioxidants. These compounds fight oxidative stress that can damage hair follicles, accelerate hair thinning, and contribute to premature graying.
• Reduces Hair Fall and Strengthens Strands: By soothing inflammation on the scalp and nourishing the follicles with nutrients (like manganese), cloves help anchor the hair roots more firmly. Regular application may lead to reduced breakage and overall hair fall.
• Adds Natural Shine and Conditioning: When used as a final rinse (clove water) or mixed with carrier oil, cloves help condition the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle and imparting a noticeable, healthy luster and shine to the strands.

Cloves Benefits to a woman

• Menstrual Pain and Cramp Relief: Cloves contain eugenol, a potent natural analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory agent. This property helps to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus, significantly aiding in the reduction of painful menstrual cramps and discomfort (dysmenorrhea).
• Supports Bone Health (High Manganese): Women face a high risk of bone density loss, especially after menopause. Cloves are an exceptional source of the mineral Manganese, essential for bone formation and density maintenance, offering crucial support against conditions like osteoporosis.
• Potential Hormonal Support (PCOS): Studies suggest that clove extract may help regulate key hormones like testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). This is particularly relevant for women dealing with hormonal imbalances, for example Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
• Promotes Skin Health (Antioxidant): Cloves are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals, a major contributor to aging, fine lines, and blemishes. When clove oil is used topically (always diluted), its anti-inflammatory properties can help manage acne and brighten the complexion.
• Aids Digestion and Relieves Bloating: Cloves possess carminative properties such as stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, making them highly effective in alleviating common digestive issues like gas, bloating, and indigestion.

Benefits of Eating Cloves at Night

Consuming a small quantity of cloves (typically 1-2 buds) or drinking clove-infused water before bedtime is a long-held tradition, often valued for promoting restorative rest by addressing common physical discomforts. The primary benefit lies in easing digestion and reducing bloating by stimulating digestive enzymes and relaxing the gastrointestinal tract, thus preventing sleep disruption caused by nighttime gas or acidity. Furthermore, the active compound eugenol possesses anti-inflammatory and calming properties that help reduce generalized muscle aches and stress, supporting a more peaceful sleep, and providing a gentle, antimicrobial cleansing for the mouth throughout the night.

Cloves benefits for skin

Cloves offer several benefits for skin health, primarily due to their rich concentration of the active compound eugenol, which has powerful antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. When used topically (always highly diluted with a carrier oil), clove oil helps to fight acne and breakouts by effectively killing acne-causing bacteria and reducing the associated inflammation and redness. Furthermore, its potent antioxidant capacity helps neutralize free radicals, mitigating oxidative stress that contributes to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles, thereby helping to preserve skin youthfulness and promote a brighter, more even-toned complexion.

Benefits of drinking clove water in the morning

Drinking clove-infused water, often prepared by soaking 2-3 cloves overnight and consuming the water on an empty stomach, is a widespread practice in traditional wellness routines, particularly for setting a positive metabolic and digestive tone for the day.

Here are the primary benefits of drinking clove water in the morning:

• Kickstarts Digestion and Reduces Bloating: Consuming clove water on an empty stomach stimulates or excites the secretion of digestive enzymes. This helps to “wake up” the digestive system, soothe gastric irritability, and reduce the common morning discomforts of gas and bloating before the first meal.
• Aids Metabolism and Weight Management: Cloves contain compounds that may help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. By reducing the potential for early blood sugar spikes, clove water may help curb intense food cravings throughout the day, indirectly supporting metabolism and weight control efforts.
• Provides Potent Antioxidant Boost: Clove water is rich in antioxidants, especially eugenol, which immediately neutralizes free radicals and fights oxidative stress. This morning boost helps strengthen the immune system and reduces the inflammation that can hinder daily vitality.
• Promotes Oral Hygiene: The antimicrobial properties of cloves, long used for dental care, help reduce bacteria in the mouth and neutralize the sources of bad breath, leaving the mouth feeling cleaner and refreshed as you start your day.
• Gentle Detoxification and Liver Support: Traditional practices suggest drinking clove water in the morning as a gentle cleansing agent. The antioxidants in cloves are studied explicitly for their hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties, aiding the liver in its natural processes of flushing out toxins.

Conclusion

Cloves are a versatile spice that adds flavor while also providing health Advantages. They are high in antioxidants, may assist in regulating blood sugar, kill bacteria, and more.