There are certain times when the smell of a specific spice brings back fond childhood memories, especially during the holidays.

For me, clove is one of those spices. It’s been used to spruce up holiday beverages and to add a zip of flavor to desserts and side dishes.

Clove spice is grown on evergreen trees that are found in tropical areas like Indonesia, Jamaica, the Philippines, and Madagascar. (1)

The whole clove spice is the unopened, dried flower buds from these particular evergreen trees.

The clove essential oil is extracted from the flower buds, leaves and stems of these evergreen trees and it is antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and highly aromatic. (2)

Besides clove spice being used as a food flavoring ingredient, it is also touted for its many health benefits.

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CLOVES FOR TOOTHACHE RELIEF

If you experience a sudden toothache and don’t have immediate access to your dentist or family physician, just place tiny amount of ground cloves into a square inch-sized piece of paper towel and fold it into a pouch.

Wet the pouch slightly and place it on the affected gum area. Wetting the pouch first will speed up the release of the anesthetic properties in the clove spice.

Be warned, however, that clove spice is, well, spicy! So you will start to experience a slight burning sensation from the ground up cloves. Nevertheless, it will at least give you temporary relief from a toothache until you can see your dentist. (3)

Clove essential oil can be used in the same way as dried ground clove to provide toothache relief.

Take caution, however, when using clove essential oil because it is very concentrated and can irritate the skin.

For toothache relief, place one drop of clove essential oil on a moistened cotton ball and place it on the affected tooth/gum area to temporarily numb the pain until you can see your dentist.

Again, be warned that the clove essential oil may cause a burning sensation due to its highly concentrated nature.

To reduce the strength of the oil and the possibility of burning, dilute it in a bit of carrier oil prior to application to your skin.

NIX THE COUGH

Want to get rid of a nagging cough? Sip on a nice, hot cup of clove tea.

Clove spice helps to quell coughs by breaking up congestion. (4)

Drop 2-3 whole cloves into 10-12 ounces of boiling water and let it steep for about 5 minutes.

Add a bit of honey (which also cuts mucous) to your desired taste.

Stir to mix your ingredients thoroughly, then slowly sip this solution to achieve relief from your cough.

If you like the taste of cloves, this will be a real treat for you!

GOT INTESTINAL PARASITES?

Cloves reportedly helps rid the body of parasites, too. (5)

To make a cup of clove tea, pour about 8 ounces of boiling water over 2-3 whole clove buds and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes. This should produce a reasonably strong infusion.

Slowly sip the tea to help immobilize and sweep those creepy crawlies out of the body!

CAVEAT: CLOVE ESSENTIAL OIL IS VERY POTENT....USE WITH CAUTION.

For safe usage, you must be sure to adequately dilute clove essential oil into a base of carrier oil (like olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil) prior to applying it directly to your skin.

Also, take care not to inhale undiluted clove essential oil too closely to your nose as it can burn the mucous membranes.

In addition, it is not safe to diffuse clove essential oil into the air due to its high levels of phenols.(6)

Phenols give clove essential oil its antiviral properties, and inhaling strong concentrations of phenols can possibly cause harm.

So, if you enjoy the aroma of clove spice wafting throughout your house, err on the side of caution and simply drop a half teaspoon of whole clove spice into a steaming pot of water and allow it to steep for about 1/2 hour. This is a safer alternative to scenting your home with its warm and uplifting fragrance.

Overall, clove spice has many health benefits. You only need to ensure safe usage to benefit from its powerful properties.

Always consult with your licensed medical professional before incorporating any new supplements or foods into your regimen.

The contents of this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any ailments. Consult with your physician regarding any health issues you may have.