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Healing Power and Curative Properties
Cloves have many medicinal virtues. They are stimulant. They are useful in
counteracting spasmodic disorders and in relieving flatulence. They help
stimulate sluggish circulation and thereby promote digestion and
metabolism. In the Indian system of medicine, cloves are used in various
conditions either in the form of a powder or a decoction made from them.
Clove oil contains ingredients that help stabilize blood circulation and
regulate body temperature. Clove oil, applied outwardly, has stimulating
effects on the skin, producing heat and redness.
Digestive Disorders
Cloves promote enzymatic flow and boost digestive functioning. They are
used in various forms of gastric irritability and dyspepsia. Licking the
powder of fried cloves mixed with honey is effective in controlling
vomiting. The anesthetic action of clove numbs the gullet and stomach and
stops vomiting.
Cholera
Cloves are very useful for treating cholera. About 4 grams of cloves are
boiled in 3 liters of water until half the water has evaporated. This
water, taken in draughts, will check severe symptoms of the disease.
Coughs
Chewing a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration,
relieves the irritation in the throat and stops cough in the
pharynges—that is, inflammation of the pharynx. Chewing a burnt clove is
also an effective medicine for coughs caused by congested throat and pharyngitis.
Three to five drops of clove oil mixed with honey and a clove of garlic
helps alleviate the painful spasmodic coughs in tuberculosis, asthma and
bronchitis. It should be taken once before going to bed.
Asthma
Clove is an effective remedy for asthma. A teaspoon of decoction prepared
by boiling 6 cloves in 30 ml of water can be taken with honey thrice daily
as an expectorant.
Teeth Disorders
The use of a clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease
infection due to its antiseptic properties. Clove oil, applied to a cavity
in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.
Earache
A clove sautéed in a teaspoon of sesame oil and 3 to 5 drops of this
(warm) oil put into the ear can cure earache.
Muscular Cramps
Muscular cramps are often relieved when the oil of dove is applied as a
poultice near the affected portion.
Headaches
A paste of clove and salt crystals in milk is a common household remedy
for headaches. Salt, as a hygroscopic agent, absorbs fluid and decreases
tension.
Stye
Clove is one of the best remedies for styes which is an inflammation
around the eyelash. A clove stub rubbed in water and then applied over the
stye gives relief.
Other Uses
Cloves are used as a table spice and mixed with chilies, cinnamon,
turmeric and other spices in the preparation of curry powder. They are
also used to flavor the betel quid (pan pad). Clove oil is used in the
manufacture of perfumes, soaps, bath salts and as a flavoring agent in
medicine and dentistry.
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