| Common Name: |
Zanzibar Red Head |
| Other Names: |
Caryophylli, Clous de Girolfe, Clove, Clove Flower, Clove Tree, Lavanga |
| Botanical Name: |
Eugenia caryophyllata, Syzygium aromaticum |
| Genus: |
Syzygium |
| Family: |
Myrtaceae |
| Native Location: |
Indonesia, Moluccas (Spice Islands) |
| Cultivation: |
Well-drained, fertile soil in sun. |
| Propagation: |
By seed sown when ripe or in spring at 27°C (81°F); by greenwood cuttings in early summer; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. |
| Harvest: |
Unopened flower buds (S. aromaticum) are picked as they develop and sun-dried for use in infusions and powders, and for oil extraction. Bark (S. cumini) is removed from prunings as required and dried for decoctions. Fruits (S. cumini) are collected when ripe and dried whole, or seeds are removed and dried separately for decoctions and tinctures. |
| Hardiness: |
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F) |
| Height: |
15-20m (50-70ft) |
| Width: |
3-5m (10-15ft) |
| History: |
Practitioners of traditional Chinese herbal medicine have used cloves (called ding xiang) as a kidney tonic for almost 2,500 years. And at least one Chinese pundit recommended chewing cloves to freshen the breath before meeting the emperor. Since the first century CE, when the Roman scholar Pliny extolled the virtues of this exotic-smelling herbs—which he called caryophyllon—Western herbalists have used cloves to treat anxiety, depression, nausea, and pain. And Western cooks have used the tiny buds famously to decorate holiday hams and make Christmas potpourri. |
| Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
| Parts Used: |
Leaves, Flower Buds (ding xiang), oil. |
| Color and Odor: |
The essential oil is amber in color and has a strong, hot, spicy and penetrating aroma. |
| Background: |
The cultivation of clove was controlled by the Portuguese until the seventeenth century, when it was taken over by the Dutch. Later the French introduced clove trees to their colonies including Zanzibar, Reunion, Madagascar and a few islands in the Caribbean. Clove is well known as an excellent remedy for soothing toothache and for tooth and gum infections where a strong antiseptic action is required. It is also traditional to use oranges studded with cloves as insect repellents. |
| Properties: |
A spicy, warming, stimulant herb that relieves pain, controls nausea and vomiting, improves digestion, protects against intestinal parasites, and causes uterine contractions. It is strongly antiseptic. Regarded mainly as a kidney tonic in Chinese medicine. |
| Planet: |
Jupiter |
| Element: |
Fire |
| Magickal Influences: |
Healing, Memory, Protection, Courage |
| Warning: |
This oil is best used in lower concentrations as it may cause irritation in sensitive people. |
| Uses: |
- Respiratory System—A powerful antiseptic, useful for colds and flu. Clove is an especially good preventative during the winter months. It is a good expectorant, helping to clear mucus and blocked sinuses. Also helpful for coughs and bronchitis.
- Reproductive System—Tonic and strengthening in cases of mild impotence.
- Emotions—For mental fatigue, anxiety states and lack of concentration due to emotional clutter. It also encourages the mind to recall long-forgotten memories.
|
| Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for gastroenteritis and intestinal parasites. Externally for toothache and insect bites. In Chinese medicine, internally for nausea, vomiting, hiccups, stomach chills, and impotence.
To treat headaches, colds, stomach ulcers, eye disease, toothaches, colic, inflammation, and flatulence. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of clove to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat and as a dental analgesic.
Cloves have antidepressant, antinausea, antiseptic, antispasmodic, circulatory-stimulating, digestive, pain-relieving, sedating, sleep-promoting, and uterine-stimulating properties. Cloves also inhibit the growth of intestinal parasites. They are taken internally as a tonic and to treat anxiety, colic, fatigue, indigestion, mild depression, muscle aches and spasms, nausea, pain, stress, and vomiting. Mashed clove buds or clove oil are used externally for gum pain, minor skin ailments, and toothaches. |
| Preparation: |
Cloves are available as whole dried buds and powdered buds, and in capsules, teas, and oils. To make a decoction for fatigue or mild anxiety, add ½ teaspoon of dried buds to 1 cup of water; bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink up to 1 cup a day. To make a decoction for insomnia, add ½ teaspoon of dried buds to 1 cup of milk and simmer over very low heat for 10 minutes. Drink warm about 30 minutes before bedtime. |
| Typical Dose: |
A typical dose of clove may range from 1 to 5 percent essential oil in an aqueous solution as a mouthwash; 5 to 30 drops (1:3 dilution) of a tincture; or 1 to 5 drops of essential oil applied topically. |
| Caution: |
Do not take cloves medicinally if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. Consult your practitioner before taking cloves medicinally if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or stomach ulcers. Mild side effects may include skin rash or stomach upset. Overconsumption or prolonged use of cloves or clove oil may irritate gums or damage nerves in the teeth. Do not use clove oil internally. |
| Possible Side Effects: |
Irritation of the throat or skin, spasms of the bronchial tubes. |
| Drug Interactions: |
| Taking clove internally with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising: |
| Abciximab,(ReoPro) |
Alteplase,(Activase, Cathflo Activase) |
Antithrombin III,(Thrombate III) |
Argatroban,(Argatroban) |
| Aspirin,(Bufferin, Ecotrin) |
Aspirin and Dipyridamole,(Aggrenox) |
Bivalirudin,(Angiomax) |
Celecoxib,(Celebrex) |
| Clopidogrel,(Plavix) |
Dalteparin,(Fragmin) |
Danaparoid,(Orgaran) |
Dipyridamole,(Novo-Dipiradol, Persantine) |
| Enoxaparin,(Lovenox) |
Eptifibatide,(Integrillin) |
Etodolac,(Lodine, Utradol) |
Fondaparinux,(Arixtra) |
| Heparin,(Hepalean, Hep-Lock) |
Ibuprofen,(Advil, Motrin) |
Indobufen,(Ibustrin) |
Indomethacin,(Indocin, Novo-Methacin) |
| Ketoprofen,(Orudis, Rhodis) |
Ketorolac,(Acular, Toradol) |
Lepirudin,(Refludan) |
Nadroparin,(Fraxiparine) |
| Reteplase,(Retavase) |
Streptokinase,(Streptase) |
Tenecteplase,(TNKase) |
Ticlopidine,(Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid) |
| Tinzaparin,(Innohep) |
Tirofiban,(Aggrastat) |
Urokinase,(Abbokinase) |
Warfarin,(Coumadin, Jantoven) |
|
| Lab Test Alterations: |
May cause false increase in phenytoin levels. |
| Disease Interactions: |
Clove oil may worsen cases of platelet abnormalities. |
| Supplement Interactions: |
Increased risk of bleeding when used with herbs and supplements that might affect platelet aggregation, such as Angelica, Danshen, Garlic, Ginger, Gingko Biloba, Red Clover, Turmeric, White Willow, and others. |
| Culinary Uses: |
Whole or ground cloves are used to flavor pickles, preserves, ham, cooked apples, mincemeat, and cakes. |
| Economic Uses: |
Whole or ground cloves, and oil, are used as flavorings in the food and drink industries, especially in vermouth; also as a flavoring in Indian and Indonesian cigarettes. Oil is used in perfumery and toothpaste. Whole cloves are used in potpourris and pomanders. |
| Blends: |
| RESPIRATORY |
REPRODUCTIVE |
EMOTION |
| Clove 4 |
Clove 4 |
Clove 4 |
| Benzoin 3 |
Rose 4 |
Orange 4 |
| Pine 3 |
Lavender 3 |
Sandalwood 4 |
| Bibliography: |
Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 92-93
Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1988 Llewellyn Publications, Inc. pp76-77
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg. 378
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright ©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.153-154
The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 138-139 |
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