Start eating two cloves a day and you'll thank me for the rest of your life... See more

 

You’ve probably heard of cloves and even used them yourself in baking and cooking. It is a popular spice used to add both a warmth and a sweetness to many dishes and drinks. It turns out, however, that they actually have some pretty significant health benefits. This is your ultimate guide to cloves: Their health benefits, uses, how they work, potential side effects, and how easy it is for you to incorporate them into your daily routine.

How Cloves Grow

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Benefits of Cloves

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There is a compound in black cloves that you may never have heard of, but it can do amazing things for your health. This compound is called eugenol. It contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and has been used for generations in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. While more scientific research is still needed to fully understand the properties of cloves and how they improve our health, no one is denying that this is a powerful little spice. Here are some possible health benefits of cloves:

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Ease Dental Pain and Prevent Gum Disease

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Eugenol, as we now know, is a powerful antibacterial agent. This means that it can help to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria contribute to dental plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Traditionally, cloves have been recognized for their ability to decrease tooth pain and prevent gum disease. You can access these benefits by using clove-based herbal mouthwashes or even by applying clove oil topically to the affected area. Be careful not to use too much and avoid swallowing the oil. This may help to alleviate toothaches and gum inflammation. Cloves may offer a natural and effective solution to promote oral health and prevent dental issues. That being said, if you have persistent tooth pain, bleeding or inflamed gums, or jaw pain, you should visit your dentist

May Help Lower Blood Sugar

Start eating two cloves a day and you'll thank me for the rest of your life... See more

 

You’ve probably heard of cloves and even used them yourself in baking and cooking. It is a popular spice used to add both a warmth and a sweetness to many dishes and drinks. It turns out, however, that they actually have some pretty significant health benefits. This is your ultimate guide to cloves: Their health benefits, uses, how they work, potential side effects, and how easy it is for you to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Buy vitamins and supplements

How Cloves Grow

Source: Shutterstock

Benefits of Cloves

Source: Shutterstock

There is a compound in black cloves that you may never have heard of, but it can do amazing things for your health. This compound is called eugenol. It contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and has been used for generations in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. While more scientific research is still needed to fully understand the properties of cloves and how they improve our health, no one is denying that this is a powerful little spice. Here are some possible health benefits of cloves:

Buy vitamins and supplements

Ease Dental Pain and Prevent Gum Disease

Source: Shutterstock

Eugenol, as we now know, is a powerful antibacterial agent. This means that it can help to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria contribute to dental plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Traditionally, cloves have been recognized for their ability to decrease tooth pain and prevent gum disease. You can access these benefits by using clove-based herbal mouthwashes or even by applying clove oil topically to the affected area. Be careful not to use too much and avoid swallowing the oil. This may help to alleviate toothaches and gum inflammation. Cloves may offer a natural and effective solution to promote oral health and prevent dental issues. That being said, if you have persistent tooth pain, bleeding or inflamed gums, or jaw pain, you should visit your dentist.

Buy vitamins and supplements

May Help Lower Blood Sugar

Source: Shutterstock

If you have a family history of high blood sugar, cloves may offer a natural solution to help you keep yours at an appropriate level, avoiding the need for medications. The impact of cloves on blood sugar levels has garnered some attention, as some research has found potential benefits for those with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition. The research suggests that the eugenol in cloves may help to improve insulin sensitivity, thus helping to lower blood sugar levels. Though this is exciting research, it is important for diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals not to ignore the advice of their doctor. First of all, cloves cannot replace traditional blood sugar medications and treatments. Secondly, if you are already on medications to control your blood sugar, it is important that you talk to your doctor before incorporating high doses or concentrations of cloves into your daily routines. The best way to profit from the blood sugar-controlling benefits of cloves without compromising your medication or your health is to simply incorporate them into a well-balanced diet. Consuming it as a spice in food and warm drinks shouldn’t be problematic. If you are curious about using cloves in a more potent form, you must consult your health care provider first.If you’ve ever looked at whole cloves and thought that they resemble flower buds, then you were right: They are the flower buds of the clove tree, scientifically known as Syzygium aromaticum. The clove tree is an evergreen plant native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, but it is now cultivated in tropical regions around the world. They grow best in tropical climates with rich, well-drained soil and regular rainfall. The tree can grow to a maximum height of 30 feet and produce fragrant, crimson flower buds that are harvested before they bloom. Those little buds are then dried in the sun, and when they turn the deep reddish-brown color that you are probably used to. This process can take anywhere from several days to weeks, depending on the method used. Cloves are always harvested by hand to ensure the best quality possible.