All About Clove
Clove has been used in dentistry as an analgesic and antibacterial. Human studies have also shown potential anti-diabetic activity. It also has insecticidal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Of all essential oils, clove shows one of the highest amounts of antibacterial activity against multiple microbe species.
Fun Fact
The name clove is derived from the Latin word "clavus", meaning nail. since the buds look like nails!
Clove Research
Over 60 research articles were catalogued on clove, mostly on the antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal actions. Human studies demonstrated a potential anti-diabetic effect, the ability to improve oral health, and use of the herb as an aid to quit smoking. In vivo and in vitro studies showed insecticidal, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-cancer activities. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Clove Blog Articles
Clove Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Syzgium aromaticum
Family: Myrtaceae
Other Names
- Other common names: caryophyllum, girofle, nelkenol, lavanga
- Other Latin names: Caryophyllis flos, Caryophyllus aromaticus, Eugenia aromatica, Eugenia caryophyllata
- Not to be confused with: cornmint or yerba buena (Mentha arvensis), balm mint, or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Plant Description
Clove comes from an evergreen tree with light grey leaves, smooth bark, and red flowers that are picked while they are still in bud, hense clove buds.
Herb Description
Dried cloves can be used, or crushed into a powder.
Essential Oil Description
Essential oil is steam distilled or cold pressed from the buds; but stem and leaf parts may also be used, making for an oil with significantly varying constituents than the bud. Oil is thick, thickening more with age, is slightly oily, and colorless to light yellow, but darkens with age. The aroma is spicy, fruity, and pungent.
Key Constituents
- Eugenol
- Caryophyllene / Beta-Caryophyllene / Alpha-Caryophyllene / Humulene / Alpha-Humulene
- Eugenol acetate
- Isoeugenol
- Methyleugenol
