Native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, cloves are known for their powerful aroma and spicy flavor. However, cloves are much more than just a flavorful spice because they possess antimicrobial properties known to heal the body in a multitude of ways. Cloves have been used for over a thousand years in Ayurvedic medicine to cure many common ailments.
Below is a list of 10 incredible healing properties cloves possess with tips on how to incorporate this magical spice into your lifestyle.
1. Relieving Headaches
Cloves naturally possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used quite effectively to treat headaches. To ease your next incessant headache, try mixing ground cloves with coconut oil and a dash of sea salt, and massage lightly into your temples.
2. Boosting Your Immune System
Eugenol, a naturally-occurring compound found in cloves, has been shown to fight harmful organisms within the body, helping to combat dangerous viruses and bacteria. This means cloves are quite successful in boosting the immune system, especially during cold and flu season.
If you are feeling rundown and on the verge of getting sick, try this Anti-Inflammatory Cold Remedy Shot, pictured above, with ground cloves. It will be sure to give you that immune boost you’re looking for.
3. Aiding Digestion
Cloves can help relieve digestive issues such as bloat, indigestion, and acid reflux because they help stimulate gastric acids that digest food.
To help relieve stomaches, try this Spiced Chai Latte, pictured above, or this Numi Organic Rooibos Chai Tea, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
4. Protecting The Liver
Possessing high levels of antioxidants, clove consumption works wonders in protecting the liver against free radicals. Because free radicals can damage cells and lead to many diseases, such as liver disease, antioxidant-rich foods can help to negate cellular damage.
5. Preventing Gum Disease
Cloves can help control the growth of oral pathogens that lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as relieve tooth pain because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
Try creating your own natural mouthwash with whole cloves and water, or purchase a vegan, clove-infused toothpaste such as Jāsön Healthy Mouth Toothpaste to help prevent gum disease naturally.
6. Promoting Strong Bones
Cloves are an incredible source of manganese, an essential mineral in promoting bone health. Just one teaspoon of ground cloves delivers 55-70 percent of your recommended daily allowance of manganese. Meeting your daily manganese requirements can help prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Try adding ground cloves to your morning Turmeric Latte to get your daily dose of manganese as soon as you wake up!
7. Helping Manage Diabetes
Cloves contain the antioxidant, polyphenols, which are proven very effective at lowering blood sugar levels, especially if consumed regularly. Polyphenols may also work to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes because they slow down the rate of sugar absorption while boosting insulin susceptibility.
To naturally lower blood sugar, try concocting a tonic of cinnamon, cloves, and water to stabilize spiked sugar levels.
8. Treating Acne
Due to the antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of eugenol found within cloves, they have been shown to help treat acne by fighting against inflammation and destroying harmful bacteria found on the skin.
For a little DIY skincare, try combining ground cloves with pure Castile liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s, to help relieve acne flare-ups and soothe irritated skin.
9. Relieving Stress
Cloves have been shown to successfully stimulate the mind while improving brain function and reducing mental exhaustion, which helps to significantly reduce anxiety and depression.
To experience the amazing stress-relieving benefits of cloves, make a tea with whole cloves, cinnamon, and mint leaves, or relax with aromatherapy by diffusing clove essential oil.
10. Healing Wounds
Ancient Indian and Chinese societies have been using cloves for centuries to heal wounds and fight infection because of their intense, antiseptic, and anti-fungal qualities. Not only will applying this incredible spice to your skin relieve pain, but it will immediately work to prevent the possibility of infection. Clove extracts work so well at fighting infections that they can even prevent the spread of human pathogens.
For best results when treating a wound, dilute clove oil with carrier oil and apply it to the inflicted area, or sprinkle ground cloves onto minor abrasions to stop the bleeding.
Content by: Cait Corcoran
