CLOVE (Syzygium aromaticum)

The clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) is also indigenous to the Moluccas, and they were probably imported from the Spice Islands into China more than 2000 years ago. From the 8th century, cloves became increasingly popular in Europe, and along with nutmeg, the importation of this coveted spice helped the enterprising Venetians become extraordinarily wealthy. Currently, clove trees are grown in such places as Zanzibar, Madagascar and Mauritius, as well as in Ternate, Tidore and a couple of other of the northern Spice Islands and in Indonesia.

The word clove comes from the Latin word clavus, meaning nail, since the shaft and head of the clove bud resembles a nail. It is used to flavor meats, including ham, and is incorporated in Indian curries and rice dishes such as vindaloo; it is used in pickles and sauces (e.g. Worcestershire sauce) and some European spice cakes. However, its value as a flavor has declined considerably since the time of Magellan.

Unlike most spices, clove has an obvious medical value. It contains eugenol which is an effective local anesthetic, and this has long been used in dentistry. Other constituents include salicylic acid. Clove, which is an aphrodisiac, was a highly valued flavor, a possible food preservative, and a pharmaceutical panacea in past centuries. Both cloves and the oil are stimulant, aromatic, and carminative.

Cloves in substance or infusion are sometimes given to relieve nausea and vomiting, more especially the vomiting of pregnancy, to relieve flatulence, and to except weak digestion. The oil of cloves sometimes affords relief when introduced into the cavity of a carious tooth. It is anodyne, antiemetic, antiseptic. Dentists use clove oil as an oral anesthetic. They also use it to disinfect root canals. Clove oil is the active ingredient in several mouthwash and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-relief preparations. Clove kills intestinal parasites and exhibits broad antimicrobial properties against fungi and bacteria supporting its traditional use as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments. Clove oil will stop the pain of a toothache when dropped into a cavity. A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, and clove tea will relieve nausea.