Nails carnation: features
The scientific name of clove is "Eugenia caryophyllata", although they also have another name, "Syzygium aromaticum".
It is a plant of the family of Myrtaceae, coming from the Antilles, Madagascar and Indonesia. Reunion Island was discovered by Pierre Poivre (1719-1786) who exported to the colonies because they were grown.
It looks like an evergreen tree with a round crown, composed of lance-shaped leaves, red-colored then growing tend to dark green. The flower is composed of a cob enclosing the flowers, ranging from crimson to yellow.
Where do the cloves? From these buds that are picked and laid out to dry in the sun. The flowers are harvested after the rainy season, when they are pink.
Cloves: history and curiosity
As I said the cloves from the East and here were already known as natural remedies for various ailments. They spread to Europe by the Romans who knew them for their antiseptic properties (in fact used them to cure toothache).
In the Middle Ages, Portuguese and Dutch will they increased trade; the Dutch in particular developed a method for obtaining the essential oil. This oil, which is a straw-colored liquid, has the characteristic pungent odor, hot and aromatic cloves.
The uses in history:
• the Chinese used it against halitosis;
• the Egyptians used it for embalming;
• the Romans against the toothache.
Have you wondered why they are called "cloves"? Because their smell, once dried, refers precisely that of carnations.
Cloves: properties and benefits
I myself use the cloves, mainly for sore teeth, throat discomfort and gums.
There are the medical impact of citations of this spice, dating from the first century of the year 1000, a German Benedictine abbess in a paper cites its cloves comne remedy:
• headache;
• colds;
• dropsy.
As active ingredients contain cloves?
- essential oils;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- mucilage;
- fatty oil;
- eugenol;
- sesquiterpenes monoterpenes (pinene);
- minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, manganese and copper);
- vitamins (vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, K and J);
- beta-carotene,
- cryptoxanthin;
- lutein;
- zeaxanthin.
So, what are the health properties of cloves?
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiseptic;
• anesthetic;
• aromatic;
• anti-fermentation;
• tonic;
• stimulants;
• antispasmodic;
• analgesic;
• antimicrobial;
• anti-infective;
• Antiviral;
• antirheumatic;
• antiplatelet agent;
• antibacterial;
• antifungal;
• stomachine and carminative.
In essence then has a multiple range of health benefits, you can use this spice in the case of cooling, of headaches, rheumatism, inflammations, in case of tiredness, toothache and diseases of the oral cavity, in the case of neuralgia, circulatory disorders, fungal infections, and memory difficulties.
It is also a spice with antioxidant properties, ideal to slow the cellular oxidation.
Few know that also the cloves are allies of digestion.
They are also friends of the bones due to eugenol which slows osteoporosis.
Why they are useful in case of toothache? Why they are antiseptic and slightly anesthetic.
That's not all, this spice helps maintain healthy and young skin and eyes, also protect the liver.
It is studying at the time their effect on diabetic patients, to see if they also have the ability to control blood sugars.
Cloves: all uses
The cloves can be used in many ways: to spice mulled wine, herbal teas and decoctions. Of course it is used in the kitchen, to prepare gingerbread and season meat especially.
Let's see what are the natural remedies made from cloves that can help us in practice.
Toothaches, halitosis, gingivitis, inflammation of the oral cavity: boil two teaspoons of cloves with a teaspoon of ginger powder or mauve. Boil and then using cold, filtered, as a mouthwash.
Always for the toothache: Take a clove and place it near the aching tooth for immediate relief.
Odor: to eliminate bad smells can make a deodorant powder with baking soda and cloves. It mixes everything and you stand 24 hours.
Bad breath and nausea: just chew two cloves for a few minutes.
Digestive herbal tea: boil 3 bay leaves with a teaspoon of cloves. Boil ten minutes. Strain and drink.
Herbal tea to antibiotic cloves: boil two cloves of garlic zest of one lemon and five cloves. Boil five minutes, strain and drink.
In herbal medicine it is also the essential oil and tincture per dose and dosing ask herbalist.
In cosmetics, the cloves can be used to cleanse the skin and keep it young.
blemished skin: finely grind the cloves and add them to a tablespoon of honey and one green clay, mix with nettle tea, taste, and smear on the face. Hold as long as the clay does not dry out. Remove with warm water.
youthful skin: Finely grind cloves, knead with 2 drops of essential oil of rose hip, add a tablespoon of white clay and mix with infusion of rose hips. Let sit until the clay is dry, then remove with cold water.
Cloves: contraindications and side effects
The cloves should not be taken in large quantities or frequent use because they reveal toxic to the liver in high doses.
They have advised pregnant and nursing women, sufferers of ulcers and irritable bowel. Do not give to children.
CAUTION: I remind the reader that this article wants to be informational only, therefore does not contain medical prescriptions. Before taking any natural remedy made from cloves, seek the advice of the family doctor.
