Top 29 proven reasons to eat clove daily

Clove is powerful spice which has many health benefits for skin, hair and body. It is effective in pain relief, enhance libido or sexual activity, natural insect repellent and treat insect bite, prevent respiratory tract infection, Osteoporosis, dental problems, fights cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, useful in diabetes and allergies, stomach health, detoxify heavy metals, effective in treating various skin problems including fungal infection, pigmentation disorders and dark spots. It also has strong anti-inflammatory property that helps to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Complete detail list of clove health benefits and uses are given below.

Clove nutritional facts, value and calories

The biological name of clove is Syzygium aromaticum. It is also known as Diente (Spanish), Gousse (French), Laung, Lavang (Hindi), Lavangam, Krambu (Tamil), Kariampo (Malayalam), Lavangalu (Telugu), Laving (Gujarati), Lobongo (Bengali), Lavang (Marathi & Punjabi), Labanga (Oriya), Lehsan Ki Pothi, Long (Urdu).

A 100 gm of clove contains about 323 calories. Among all other spices it is highest antioxidant source. It contains Protein, Water, Phytosterols, Dietary Fiber, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, vitamins ( Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Choline, Betaine) and minerals (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium).clove-health-benefits-and-uses

Health benefits and uses of clove

1. Pain management

Studies has found natural herb clove is as effective and possess a potential to replace benzocaine as a topical agent before needle insertion.

2. Natural head lice treatment

Studies has found that spray formulations containing clove and eucalyptus oils are effective against susceptible and pyrethroid/malathion-resistant head lice.

Apply clove oil alone or mix with eucalyptus oil on hair and scalp. Cover the treated hair and scalp with bath shower cap or hat to ensure the fumigant action of the essential oil. This is an effective natural remedy to treat head lice problem.

3. Useful in anal fissure

Anal fissure is a common painful condition affecting the anal canal and causes considerable morbidity and reduction in quality of life. An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus. It causes pain during and following bowel movement, other symptoms include bleeding, itching or discharge.

Studies has found that topical application of clove oil cream has significant beneficial and healing effects in the patients with chronic anal fissure.

4. Good for bone health

Studies has found that clove extracts are rich in eugenol and eugenol derivatives, which has bone preserving efficacy like enhancing bone density and strength. Including clove in diet helps to treat and reduces the risk of bone related diseases like Osteoporosis.

5. Antioxidants

Clove has powerful antioxidant that helps to fight free radical damage and oxidative stress. It helps to protect the body from aging and various free radicals associated diseases.

Study has found that clove inhibits malonaldehyde formation from blood plasma oxidation, which reduces the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products. Advanced glycation end products, known as AGEs, are substances that can be a factor in the development or worsening of many degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic renal failure, and Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Protect heart and kidney

Study has found that clove possesses a protective effect against damaged heart and kidneys, due to its antioxidant activity.

7. Natural Insect repellent

Clove oil is effective natural treatment against insect bites and as insect repellent.

Study find that Clove was determined to be the most effective repellent against mosquitos of 38 essential oils tested.

Studies has shown that Clove oil may be safer and more economical to prevent chigger or larvae attacks than commercially available synthetic chemicals, such as DEET that may have harmful side effects.

8. Oral care or dental health

Clove has antibacterial activity which is vital for good dental health. It is found useful in preventing and treating dental problems like gum related diseases or infections, plague or biofilm.

Studies has found that clove contains a variety of compounds which have growth-inhibitory activity against periodontal oral pathogens.

9. Enhance sexual activity

Clove are effective and natural treatment to many sexual disorders like low libido. Including clove in diet helps to enhance sexual life and performance.

Studies has proven that clove extract produces significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity, lending support to the claims for its traditional usage as an aphrodisiac.

In another study, intake of clove and nutmeg together enhanced the sexual behaviour of male and also to significantly increase their mating performance.

10. Prevent DNA damage

Studies has found that clove has antimutagenic activity that helps to prevent DNA damage.

11. Anti-cancer

Studies has found that aqueous infusion of cloves helps to prevents benzoapyrene-induced lung cancer.

Another study has shown that clove is useful in preventing chemically-incuded skin cancer.

In other study, Eugenol, a natural compound in honey and various plants including clove, induces programmed cell death in colon cancer cells.

12. Antibacterial

Clove oil has antibacterial activity which is useful in treating and preventing various infections.

Studies has found that clove oil supplementation has a protective effect against Lactococcus garvieae infections in tilapia and the potential to replace antibiotics for controlling the disease.

13. Boost immune system

Clove oil has capacity to stimulate and improve an immune response mechanisms that helps to prevent and treat many diseases including cancer.

14. Antiviral and anti-herpes

Study has shown that clove act as antiviral agent which inhibit Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 virus replication.

Clove has anti-herpes virus compound that help to treat herpes infection.

In another study clove has found to be effective in inhibiting Cytomegalovirus Infections. Cytomegalovirus  is a common virus (herpesvirus family) and can infect anyone.  It spread by direct contact of body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

15. Prevent respiratory tract infection

Studies has found that dietary supplementation with holy basil or tulsi and clove oils protects against bacterial colonization of the lungs. It helps to prevent various respiratory tract infection including pneumonia.

16. Protect against Aflatoxicosis

Aflatoxicosis is poisoning that results from ingestion of aflatoxins in contaminated food.Aflatoxins are very toxic and are carcinogenic in nature. That is why it is always good to avoid eating food that has moulds or fungi growth.
Study has found that black cumin and clove helps to protect against aflatoxicosis.

17. Effective natural treatment for Candida Infection

Studies has found that the oral intake of clove suppresses the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the alimentary tract including the oral cavity.

18. Anti-fungal

Studies has shown that clove oil exhibits antibacterial and antifungal activity that are helpful in preventing and inhibiting various infection due to bacteria and yeast.

19. Antimicrobial

Study has found that clove and rosemary essential oils demonstrate antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi including against Vibrio Infections that are common in warm coastal areas.

20. Anti-MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. It is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that’s become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections. This bacteria causes infections in different parts of the body — including the skin, lungs, and other areas.

In vitro study has found that cinnamon, clove and cumin exhibit anti-MRSA properties and has valuable potential in the treatment of infection.

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