Caryophyllus aromaticus L. has a medicinal action that is useful in the fight against gas, pain relief, infections and also helps to lose weight, and can be easily found in supermarkets and drugstores in small packages, with a price between 4 and 20 reais.
Clove, in addition to having medicinal properties is also an important source of nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene. It can be used in its natural form to enrich the food, or in the form of creams and oils, which select some properties, for its use in cosmetics, for example.
The main benefits of clove for health are:
1. Help to Lose Weight
It assists in weight loss by fighting off the gas and consequently the swollen belly. Its use is not a substitute for a low-fat diet, only healthy ones being present in avocado and salmon, for example, and with little sugar, only the natural sugar in the fruit being released.
2. Improve digestion
It also improves digestion and helps control diarrhea by activating enzymes that help the stomach and intestine. In addition it still fights flatulence, being especially indicated to be consumed in the form of tea after a meal containing black beans, broccoli or cauliflower, for example.
3. Combat diseases
Due to its antiseptic action, cloves can be used to combat infections caused by bacteria, such as streptococci and staphylococci, or by fungi, due to their antifungal action. It even helps protect the body from diseases because it combats free radicals, which cause the aging of body tissues, and even has analgesic action, which helps in fighting pain.
4. Combat sexual impotence
Clove extract is a great home remedy against sexual impotence because it increases libido because of its aphrodisiac properties, and it also helps in controlling ejaculation, avoiding premature ejaculation.
5. Combat bad breath and toothache
The clove improves bad breath due to its natural antiseptic and aromatic properties. To do this, simply chew 1 clove to note its aromatic effects in the mouth. Chewing clove tea is also a good solution to combat toothache, while waiting for consultation with the dentist, for example.
6. Improves wound healing
When used directly on the skin clove oil or a herbal-based herbal product still facilitates healing, it decreases inflammation and irritation due to its antiseptic action. This is a good option to fight small anal fissures, for example.
7. Fights flies and mosquitoes
Clove oil contains a scent that repels insects because its characteristic smell is unpleasant to them. Just smash some cloves and leave in a dish on the table to keep flies away from the fruit, for example. Skimming a few cloves in an orange or a lemon is also a good way to keep flies and mosquitoes away.
Another way to use it is to add about 10 cloves in 100 m of alcohol and spray it on the skin, serving as a natural repellent, which can be used even in infants and children.
8. Relax your muscles and fight tiredness
Clove oil helps to relax muscles and can be used in massage oils. Due to its characteristic aroma it is also a good option to combat fatigue and melancholy, improving the disposition for day to day activities.
A herbal-based herbal gel is a great painkiller to be used on the muscles in case of bruises, for example.
9. Relieves coughing and eliminates catarrh
Clove tea is a good home remedy to relieve coughs and release the phlegm because of its antiseptic and expectorant action. For the tea you can add 5 cloves in 150 ml of water and boil for about 10 minutes, then add honey and drink it, still warm.
10. Improves Allergies
Clove also improves allergies, decreasing asthma attacks, for example because it has antihistamine action.
In addition, these oils can be used in the production of creams that improve the appearance of the skin, nails and hair as they clean the skin and hair follicles, avoiding irritation of these places.
How to use clove
Cloves can be consumed in cakes, breads, desserts and broths, but their properties are most enjoyed in the form of teas, which look great when made in conjunction with cinnamon, lemon or ginger.
- For tea: Put 10g of cloves in a pot with 1 liter of water and bring to the boil for about 15 minutes. Then let it cool, strain and take up to 3 times a day.
- Powder: Take 200 to 500 mg diluted in water, for 2 or 3 times a day;
- Essential oil: Apply 2 or 3 drops on a cotton ball and apply in the desired areas.
Herbal preparations such as creams or gels containing cloves can be found in natural products stores and in drugstores.
Check out natural deodorant recipe with clove for body.
Special cares
Clove is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding and by children under 6 years. It is also not recommended in case of gastritis or ulcer.
Clove can cause irritation of the skin and digestive mucosa of some more sensitive people, so it should be used, preferably with indication of the herbalist.
The clove has a substance called eugenol that slows blood clotting, so clove tea and its dried extract should not be used 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
