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Where does the clove come from, what useful properties does it have and what harm can it cause – we figure it out together with a specialist
Today, cloves, ground or whole, can be found in almost every kitchen. But once this spice was an attribute of luxury.
Cloves are dried, unopened buds of a tropical tree from the genus Myrtle. From time immemorial, burning spices with a unique aroma have been used in cooking, medicine, perfumery and even in esoteric rituals. Let’s see what this spice is so valued for, why we should include it in our diet more often, and what health benefits or harm cloves can bring.
The history of cloves in nutrition
The Moluccas are considered to be the birthplace of cloves. The spice got its name due to its characteristic shape. In Latin, it sounds like clavus, which means “nail” in translation. The spice has been known to mankind for at least 2,5 thousand years. In China, for example, it was used as a breath freshener. There was even such a rule: before taking the emperor, chew a few cloves to neutralize possible bad breath.
The ancient Egyptians adapted the carnation for ritual purposes: necklaces were made from it to mummify the dead.
In India, cloves were valued for their medicinal properties. From there, by the way, the spice was supplied to Greece and Rome.
In Europe, fragrant cloves were worth their weight in gold and were originally used to make medicinal potions. As a spice, it only became widespread in the Renaissance, when the Portuguese captured the Moluccas, and the French began to plant cloves in the Mascarenes. Since then, cloves have become an integral part of almost every national cuisine.
The composition and calorie content of cloves
Clove buds boast a large amount of vitamins and bioactive substances.
“These are vitamins A, E, C, K, group B, as well as minerals: magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, iron and essential oils,” notes gastroenterologist Anna Zavyalova.
However, the specialist draws attention: since we use no more than 2-5 flowers for food, we should not consider cloves as the only source of vitamins and minerals.
In addition, clove buds contain essential oil (20%), dietary fiber, glycosides, mucus, fatty and tannins.
| Calorie content of cloves per 100 g | 274 kcal |
| Proteins | 6 g |
| Fats | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31,5 g |
The benefits of cloves
Seasoning has a positive effect on all body systems. It has bactericidal properties, fights fungi and viruses, removes toxins, and normalizes the functioning of the nervous system. It has a pronounced analgesic and antispasmodic effect.
Vitamin C in cloves helps to increase immunity and strengthen the walls of blood vessels and cartilage. Vitamin K improves the function of hematopoiesis, as well as the functioning of the liver, gallbladder and kidneys. Vitamin B6 improves memory and controls blood glucose levels, which is especially important in diabetes.
The benefits of cloves for women
Cloves have been used since ancient times in the treatment of gynecological diseases. The spice restores the menstrual cycle, eliminates the symptoms of menopause, and alleviates premenstrual syndrome. In addition, carnation perfectly harmonizes the emotional sphere. But pregnant women will have to give up the spice: the seasoning stimulates the tone of the uterus and, in extreme cases, can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
The benefits of cloves for men
For a strong half of humanity, spice will also be useful. It belongs to natural aphrodisiacs, improves potency and is an excellent tool for the prevention of prostatitis. Clove relieves muscle tension and stabilizes blood pressure, so its effect on the body will be especially beneficial after physical exertion.
The benefits of cloves for children
Gastroenterologist Anna Zavyalova warns: children under 3 years old (especially strictly – up to 2 years old), cloves are contraindicated. The spice can cause allergies.
But for older children, the spice will be useful for its immunomodulatory properties and antiparasitic effect.
Carnation harm
Clove can increase blood pressure, for this reason it is not recommended to eat people with hypertension and serious disorders in the cardiovascular system. Seasoning is also undesirable during menstruation, since the active substances in its composition thin the blood, which can lead to increased bleeding.
People with digestive problems should use this spice with caution.
“Clove stimulates appetite, as it contains a lot of essential oils,” explains gastroenterologist Anna Zavyalova. – If a person has low stomach acidity, cloves are indicated. Conversely, if the acidity is high, then seasoning should not be abused.
The use of cloves in medicine
Cloves are in demand in folk medicine. It is considered effective for gastrointestinal disorders, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, inflammation in the oral cavity, skin rashes and other problems.
In most countries, clove essential oil is used in the manufacture of medicines: in the manufacture of painkillers, anti-cold medicines. Oil is widely used in dentistry as a component of temporary fillings.
The potential of this spice is being explored by scientists around the world.
Clove essential oil is 70% eugenol. It is already known to be effective in cirrhosis of the liver: eugenol has anti-inflammatory properties and protects the liver from destruction. (1) It has also proven effective in the fight against osteoporosis. (2) In addition, eugenol has an antimicrobial effect and is a powerful antioxidant, that is, it rids the body of free radicals, which are the main culprits of cancerous tumors. (3)
Also, the ability of clove essential oil to harmonize the psycho-emotional state and stimulate the mental activity of a person, especially at a young age, has been well studied. (four)
In 2021, scientists from Shanghai University discovered substances in the inflorescences of the clove tree that suppress strains of SARS-CoV-2. It turned out that cloves contain pectins previously unknown to science, which slow down the formation of disease-causing particles and block enzymes important for the reproduction of coronavirus. (5)
The use of cloves in cooking
Cloves are used in the preparation of marinades and sauces, often added to meat and fish dishes, broths, stews. In addition, cloves are great in drinks, such as mulled wine, and add a touch of spice to desserts.
clove tea
This fragrant drink will warm you in inclement weather and delight you with a rich spicy taste. It’s also a great preventative during flu and cold season.
| Black tea | 12 g |
| Lemon | 1 / 5 part |
| Orange juice | 30 ml |
| Cinnamon | 1/2 stick |
| Carnation | 2 piece. |
| Ginger | to taste |
| Honey | to taste |
| Water | 500 ml |
Mix the cloves, ginger and cinnamon, pour the mixture with water and bring to a boil. Brew black tea with boiling water and let it brew for 5-7 minutes. Add lemon, orange juice and honey. The drink is ready.
Red Bean Pate with Cloves
A vegetable pate can be no less satisfying and tasty than a traditional liver pate. The recipe is especially relevant for vegetarians and those who fast, but do not want to give up their favorite snack.
| Boiled or canned red beans | 800 g |
| Vegetable oil | 3 Art. spoons |
| Bow | 1 piece. |
| Garlic | 3 teeth |
| Hot peppers | 1/2 pod |
| Ground cloves | 5 g |
| Lemon juice | 2-3 Art. spoons |
| Parsley | to taste |
| Water | 3 Art. spoons |
| Salt | to taste |
| Ground black pepper | to taste |
Rinse boiled or canned beans. Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and fry the chopped onion, garlic and hot pepper until the onion acquires a golden hue. Mix the prepared vegetables with beans, add water and beat with a blender until the consistency of the pate. Then add finely chopped parsley, salt, cloves, black pepper, lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Serve chilled.
How to choose and store a clove
A good carnation is distinguished by a reddish-brown color. Her bud should be slightly oily. If the bud is dry, wrinkled and brittle, then the spice has been stored for a long time. This does not mean that eating it will be harmful to health, just such a spice will not have a pronounced taste and aroma, for which, in fact, it is valued.
The quality of a clove is determined by the presence of essential oil in it. It is concentrated at the base of the petiole. There is a reliable way to check how spice is edible – dip it in a glass of water. If the clove floats in a horizontal position, then it is no longer worth buying it, and if it is vertical, with the cap up, then there is still enough oil in it.
Another way to reveal the quality of a spice is to crush the bud between two sheets of paper. An oily stain will indicate the freshness of the product.
It is better to buy cloves as a whole, and not in ground form. Ground cloves spoil faster and begin to taste bitter. The shelf life of spices as a whole is 1 year, and in crushed form – 6 months.
Clove absorbs odors well and transfers its aroma to other products, so it is recommended to store the spice in isolation in a dark and dry place, in a tightly closed container.
Popular questions and answers
Anna Zavyalova, a pediatrician, gastroenterologist, nutritionist, endocrinologist, candidate of medical sciences, associate professor of the department of general medical practice at St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, answers questions about cloves.
Can dried cloves be chewed?
Can you eat cloves every day?
Can you eat cloves while on a diet?
Sources of
- Shakir Ali, Ram Prasad, Amena Mahmood, Indusmita Routray, Tijjani Salihu Shinkafi, Kazim Sahin, Omer Kucuk. Eugenol-rich Fraction of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Reverses Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Liver Cirrhosis and Inhibits Hepatic Cell Proliferation. URL: Eugenol-rich Fraction of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Reverses Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Liver Cirrhosis and Inhibits Hepatic Cell Proliferation (nih.gov)
- Subhra Karmakar, Monalisa Choudhury, Asankur Sekhar Das, Anasuya Maiti, Sangita Majumdar & Chandan Mitra. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum Linn) extract rich in eugenol and eugenol derivatives shows bone-preserving efficacy. URL: Clove (Syzygium aromaticum Linn) extract rich in eugenol and eugenol derivatives shows bone-preserving efficacy: Natural Product Research: Vol 26, No 6 (tandfonline.com))
- Diego Francisco Cortés-Rojas, Claudia Regina Fernandes de Souza, Wanderley Pereira Oliveira. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum: a precious spice. URL: Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice (nih.gov)
- Yarosh A.M., Ibragimova E.E., Tonkovtseva V.V., Koval E.S., Bekmambetov T.R. Influence of essential oil of clove tree on the psycho-emotional state and mental performance of students. URL: Influence of clove essential oil on the psycho-emotional state and mental performance of students
- Can Jin, Bo Feng, Rongjuan Pei, Yaqi Ding, Meixia Li, Xia Chen, Zhenyun Du, Yangxiao Ding, Chunfan Huang, Bo Zhang, Xinwen Chen, Yi Zang, Jia Li, Kan Ding. Novel pectin from crude polysaccharide of Syzygium aromaticum against SARS-CoV-2 activities by targeting 3CLpro. URL: Novel pectin from crude polysaccharide of Syzygium aromaticum against SARS-CoV-2 activities by targeting 3CLpro | bioRxiv
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