Clove essential oil in history
Just like many other spices, the history of cloves dates back many centuries. Along with nutmeg, clove bud was one of the highly valued spices in the 16th century. The earliest documentation of cloves dates back to the year 300 B.C when the Chinese people chewed clove as breath freshener before going to speak with the emperor.
The name clove emerges from a Latin word ‘clavus’ which means nail. If you closely look at clove bud, you will realize that the head and the shaft closely resembles a nail and hence the name. Just until the last couple of centuries, cloves were only cultivated in the ‘spice islands’ off the Indonesian coast. During the 18th century, the clove plant was smuggled from spice islands and found its way to Zanzibar, Brazil, Ternate, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Tidore among other places.
Clove bud oil (India) has a spicy, strong aroma somehow sweeter than the prominent Indonesian variety and is slightly less herbaceous. The medium to watery viscous oil is colorless to pale yellow in color. Although clove oil can be extracted from various parts of the tree, the Indian clove bud essential oil is purely extracted from the buds, which is the most suitable essential oil for many modern medical treatments as it contains an elevated level of Eugenol (79%).
After harvesting, the buds are spread out to be separated from the stems and left to sun-dry for a couple of days until they develop a dark brownish color. Thereafter, they are grinded and the powder can be used in cooking or converted into an essential oil.
Clove bud oil contains nutrients such as manganese(126.4%), potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Clove oil uses
Clove bud essential oil has many health benefits. Here is a look at some of the benefits.
Infections: Thanks to its antiseptic properties, Clove oil can be used to treat cuts wounds, fungal infection, scabies, bruises, athlete’s foot and among other injuries including insect bites or stings.
Dental care: You probably didn’t know that clove oil is prominently used in dental care. The oil has germicidal properties which enhances its effectiveness in relieving sore gums, mouth ulcers, toothache, and dental pain. In fact, its main compound eugenol is quite famous in dentistry. You can gargle diluted clove oil to help ease your throat pain. Its characteristic odor also makes it a suitable breath freshener.
Skin care: For acne patients, clove oil is the most recommended remedy. This essential oil has stimulating and rejuvenating properties that makes it a good solution to wrinkles, facial rejuvenation, and sagging skin.
Immune system: With its antiviral properties and the ability to purify the blood, it increases your chances of resisting numerous diseases. Clove contains antioxidants which are very helpful in ridding the body of the free radicals that can cause certain types of cancer and heart diseases.
Stress: Clove has proven to be an excellent reliever of stress. While it has some stimulating effect on ones’ mind, it is also capable of removing mental exhaustion and fatigue. To patients suffering from insomnia, it is probably the best sleep inducing solution. The oil is also effective in treating neural disorders including depression, memory loss, and anxiety.
Headache: When clove oil is mixed with salt and then applied on the forehead, it gives a cool, soothing effect that relieves headaches. The many flavonoids within this essential oil makes it an excellent anti-inflammatory solution.
Respiratory problems: Clove oil can be used to clear nasal passage since it has an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect. This essential oil has proved to be effective in treating various respiratory disorders including bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, tuberculosis, and coughs. Traditionally, chewing the clove bud was recommended as a remedy for sore throat.
Sty: This is a bump that forms on the eyelid due to a blocked gland and thus hinders the proper functioning of the eye. Clove oil can be a very effective remedy for treating sty.
Earache: A good home remedy for an earache is a simple mixture of warm sesame oil and clove oil.
Indigestion: Traditionally clove oil was used effectively to treat stomach-related issues including; motion sickness, indigestion, flatulence, and hiccups.
Nausea: Did you know that clove oil is often used in reducing pregnancy-related morning sickness? Its unique scent when inhaled will aid in curbing nausea and vomiting.
Blood circulation: Clove oil increases the body metabolism by simply increasing the blood circulation while reducing the body temperature. Increased blood circulation, means that more oxygen is supplied to the organ systems.
Blood purification: Medical studies have proven that clove bud oil can reduce blood toxicity level and stimulate the antioxidant activity. This increases the immune system while purifying the platelets.
Diabetes: Being among the best blood purification solution around, the essential oil has proved effective in controlling blood sugar levels. Studies show that glucose and postprandial insulin response are efficiently regulated if clove oil is active within the body’s system.
Insect Repellent: Clove’s strong scent is repellent to the insects. In fact, you will find it to be one of the major components in insect-repelling candles and bug repellents. Traditionally, the oil was used in washing the bedsheets to keep the bugs at bay.
Pain Reliever: Clove oil can be used to treat pain that affects the joints and muscles. This can be a very suitable remedy for sport related injuries. Besides numbing the affected area, it also increases your blood circulation for faster healing of the injured tissue.
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