Clavos de olor
Origin of Herbs:
Clove is the dried unopened flower bud obtained from a handsome, middle sized,
and evergreen tree. The tree has a straight trunk and grows up to a height
of 10 to 12 meters. The clove has been used in India and china, for over 2,000
years as a spice to check both tooth decay and counter halitosis that is bad
breath. In percia and china, it was considered to have aphrodisiac properties.
The clove tree is a native of the Molucca islands. The clove buds, stem and
leaves, on steam distillation yield a substantial amount of essential oil.
The clove bud oil derived from the dried buds by steaming distillation contains
free eugenol, eugenol acetate and caryophyllene.Healing options:
Cloves have many medicinal virtues. They are stimulant. They are useful in
counteracting spasmodic disorders and in relieving flatulence. They help stimulate
sluggish circulation and thereby promote digestion and metabolism .In the
Indian system of medicine cloves are used in various conditions either in
the form of powder or a decoction made of them. Clove oil applied outwardly,
has stimulating effects on the skin, producing heat and redness.
Digestive disorder:
Clove promotes enzymatic flow and boost digestive functioning. They are used
in various forms of gastric irritability and dyspepsia. Licking the powder
of fried clove mixed with honey is effective in controlling vomiting. The
anesthetic action of clove numbs the gullet and stomach and stops vomiting.
Cholera:
Cloves are very useful for treating cholera. About 4 grams of cloves are boiled
in 3 liters of water until half the water has evaporated. This water, taken
in draughts, will check severe symptoms of the disease.
Coughs:
Chewing a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration, relieves
the irritation in the throat and stops cough in the pharyngitis that is, inflammation
of the pharynx. Chewing a burnt clove is also an effective medicine for coughs
caused by congested throat and pharyngitis.
Asthma:
Clove is an effective remedy for asthma. A teaspoon of decoction prepared
by boiling 6 cloves in 30 ml of water can be taken with honey thrice daily
as an expectorant.
Teeth disorder :
The use of a clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease
infection due to decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.
Muscular cramp :
Muscular cramps are often relieved when the oil of clove is applied as a poultice
near the affected portion.
Headaches:
A paste of clove and salt crystals in milk is a common household remedy for
headaches. Salt as a hygroscopic agent, absorbs fluid and decreases tension.
Other uses:
Clove are used as table spice and mixed with Chillies, Cinamon, turmeric and
other spices in the preparation of curry powder. Clove oil is used in the
manufacture of perfumes, soaps, and bath salts and as a flavouring agent in
medicine and dentistry.
