Cloves are the most stimulating and carminative of all aromatics; given in powder, infusion, or tonic for nausea, emesis, flatulence, languid indigestion and dyspepsia, and used chiefly to assist the action of other herbs. The medicinal properties of cloves reside in the volatile oil. This oil must be kept in dark bottles in a cool place. If distilled with water, salt must be added to raise the temperature of ebullition and the same cloves must be distilled over and over again to get their full essence.

Two constituents of clove oil - Caryophyllene and Eugenol.

Cloves (Eugenia aromaticus) are actually the dried buds of the clove tree. Used in China for more than 2000 years, cloves are believed to be an aphrodisiac. We do know that clove oil is a time-honored remedy for toothache, and that clove oil is highly antiseptic. The cloves are also used to stop vomiting.

"The clove herb keeps food fresh because the main active component of cloves is eugenol, which has long been known to help kill bacteria and viruses," says Gary Elmer, Ph.D., associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle. By killing bacteria, eugenol helps keep meat fresh and prevents stomach upset, diarrhea, and wound infections.

Healing uses for Cloves:

Mouth Care: Clove oil is suggested for toothaches, and can help freshen breath. You may have tasted the sweet-hot flavor of clove oil in over-the-counter toothache medicines. Try a drop of this healing oil (available at drugstores and health-food stores) to ease an aching tooth until you can see a dentist.

Relieve indigestion: The herb's usefulness in supporting normal digestive system function has yet to be confirmed in humans, but laboratory studies indicate that it may be effective.

Control diarrhea: An ingredient in clove fights the bacteria responsible for diarrhea, the ailment you experience from drinking water in regions where health standards are substandard.

Heals cuts and bites: Studies show that the oil in cloves can help kill several strains of staphylococcus bacteria and one strain of pseudomonas, organisms that can cause skin infections.

Cloves are also known as: Ding Xiang, clove, Eugenia caryophyllata

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