12 Powerful Benefits of Cloves

How to Use Them Beyond Cooking and Festive Baking

Cloves are not just star additions to your kitchen. They are a potent health powerhouse! Often used as an aromatic spice during cooking and festive baking, cloves pack a punch with multiple health benefits and versatile uses. In this blog post, we reveal 12 fantastic benefits of cloves and how to make the most out of these tiny marvels.

Cloves are the dried flower buds that come from a tree in the Myrtaceae family. Originating from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, these aromatic buds can now be found worldwide. They offer a pungent and delightful flavour suitable for infusing into drinks, desserts, and a variety of savory dishes.

12 Incredible Benefits of Cloves

1. Natural Pain Relief

Cloves contain an active compound called eugenol known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Apply clove oil on aching teeth or muscles for quick relief from discomfort.

2. Improves Digestion

Including cloves in your diet can help improve digestion, alleviate gas, and reduce stomach discomfort, thanks to their carminative properties.

3. Boosts Immunity

Cloves are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and antiviral properties, all of which help strengthen your immune system and protect it against infections.

4. Antioxidant Powerhouse

Cloves have an impressive concentration of antioxidants, which help combat cellular damage and protect your body against diseases.

5. Anti-Cancer Properties

Research suggests that specific compounds found in cloves possess potent anti-cancer properties that could inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

6. Protects Liver

Cloves have hepatoprotective effects, meaning they can help protect the liver from damage caused by toxins or harmful substances.

7. Regulates Blood Sugar

Cloves have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a great addition to a diabetes-friendly diet.

8. Improves Respiratory Exacerbations

Cloves have been used in traditional medicine for their expectorant properties, relieving symptoms of cough, cold, and asthma.

9. Fights Bad Breath

Chewing on cloves offers relief from bad breath, thanks to their antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria responsible for bad odour.

10. Relieves Stress

The soothing, aromatic scent of cloves has a calming effect on the mind, making it an effective stress relief.

11. Aphrodisiac Properties

In some cultures, cloves are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, helping to enhance libido and improve sexual health.

12. Natural Insect Repellent

The strong aroma of cloves repels insects, making it a safe and natural solution to keep your space bug-free.

How to Use Cloves for More than Just Cooking and Festive Baking

1. Clove Oil for Aromatherapy and Massage

Clove essential oil is not only known for its warming aroma but also for its numerous therapeutic benefits. Add a few drops to a diffuser for an uplifting and invigorating scent that promotes mental clarity and can help reduce stress. For a soothing massage, combine clove oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut or almond oil) and gently massage it onto sore muscles or painful joints. This can provide natural pain relief and support overall well-being.

2. Clove Compress for Pain Relief

To create a clove compress, soak a clean cloth in warm water containing a few drops of clove essential oil. Wring out the excess water and apply the compress to the affected area. This can help alleviate headaches, toothaches, or any inflammation-related pain, taking advantage of cloves' analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Homemade Clove Mouthwash for Oral Care

Create a homemade mouthwash by infusing water with a few cloves. Gargle and swish it around your mouth for a minute to kill bacteria and promote gum health. The antibacterial and anaesthetic properties of cloves make this mouthwash an effective and natural oral care solution.

4. Clove Tea for Digestive Support and Relaxation

Brewing a cup of clove tea is a great way to experience the digestive benefits and calming effects of this spice. Simply steep a teaspoon of whole cloves in boiling water for several minutes. The result is a soothing beverage that can help settle your stomach, improve digestion, and relax your mind.

5. Incorporating Cloves into Your Skincare Routine

Cloves can be a beneficial addition to your skincare routine thanks to their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Create a natural face mask by mixing ground cloves with honey or yoghurt and applying it to your skin. The mixture can help purify your pores and provide a gentle exfoliating effect for a smoother, brighter complexion.

6. DIY Clove Insect Repellent for a Natural Solution

Make a natural insect repellent using cloves by combining a few drops of clove essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Apply the solution on your skin, clothing, and surrounding area to repel mosquitoes, ants, and other insects. With this DIY repellent, you can enjoy being outdoors without resorting to harsh chemicals to keep pests at bay.

Common Clove Bakes and Drinks

1. Mulled Wine

This festive and aromatic drink is a holiday favourite made by combining red wine, cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and star anise. Gently heated on the stove, mulled wine fills the air with delightful seasonal scents and provides a warm, comforting beverage for chilly evenings.

2. Chai Tea

Originating from India, chai tea is a spiced milk tea featuring a blend of black tea, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. This rich and creamy drink can be enjoyed hot or cold, offering a delightful bouquet of flavours that dance on your tongue.

3. Pumpkin Pie

A classic fall dessert, pumpkin pie showcases cloves as part of its traditional spice blend, which also includes cinnamon and ginger. The warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavour of cloves complements the velvety pumpkin filling, creating an irresistible treat perfect for Thanksgiving.

6. Gingerbread Cookies

Cloves are part of the signature gingerbread spice blend, which also includes ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This fragrant spice combination is responsible for the enticing aroma and flavour of gingerbread cookies, a classic holiday treat enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

So there you have it, 12 brilliant benefits of cloves that go well beyond cooking and festive baking! Now that you know their powerful potential, why not start incorporating cloves into your daily life? From improving your digestive health to soothing aching muscles, cloves can do it all. Have you tried any other creative uses for cloves? Let us know in the comments below!