The Power of Clove

As some of you know, I’ve been laid pretty low with the virus from Hell. What began as a simple sinusitis and bronchitis, for which I was treated with antibiotics and Prednisone, evolved into something that could cause Influenza to shudder. My husband is currently nursing the same infection, and we’re hoping against hope that our daughter won’t fall victim to the onslaught of this creeping crud. Aside from the fever, body aches, chills, cough and nasal congestion, there’s a sore throat, congested ears and a great deal of malaise that accompanies this monster. One also does not feel much like eating, either, which means that the fare of the day has been basically soup, tea and toast. Yum.

Because there hasn’t been much that I’ve felt like doing, I began to peruse the Internet, in the hopes of finding something interesting to read. I especially was in search of something natural that could cause me to feel a lot better, quickly. I’m not a very patient patient. I found a few articles on herbs and spices, and I began to do a little more research into the healing properties of these powerful additions to our foods.

I’ve always been interested in herbals, mind you. I had hoped, back when I was still practicing nursing, that I’d have a practice that dealt with prescribing spices for optimal health. My basement bookshelf is a testament to that desire. However, Life being Life, I put that idea on the back burner for a while. I continued to learn more and more about various spices, and soon found myself the owner of a well-stocked pantry. For, you see, spices can add a delicious flavor to your cooking, but they can also help one to feel a lot better, naturally.

Early last week, I was having difficulty breathing clearly through my nose. I did a little research and found that several spices would assist me in clearing away congestion. One of those spices was cloves. I added a pinch to each of the cups of tea that I had been drinking. It could have been mind over matter, or it could have been the fact that I was flushing the toxins from my body, but I certainly did feel a little less stuffy as I was drinking the tea with cloves.

Most spices and herbs have antioxidant qualities. Cloves, however, rank as the richest resource for antioxidants. As our culture has become more aware of the benefits of antioxidants in our diets, we are learning that these powerhouse nutrients can help us to fight different chronic illnesses in our bodies. While I’m not saying that eating cloves can cure arthritis or macular degeneration or even diabetes, I am saying that the use of this spice will most definitely help curb the free radicals in your body, and can in fact help you on the road to health. Cloves don’t just have wonderful antioxidants within. They are a good source of fiber, protein, iron, electrolytes, and omega-3 fatty acids. Now that’s a powerful punch for something that you’d find in pumpkin pie filling!

For culinary purposes, cloves can be popularly found, sticking out of a fresh ham. They are called upon in recipes for apple pies, baked apples, pumpkin pie, and spice cake. Spiced tea, warm ciders and even coffee benefit from the flavor of this versatile spice. The surface benefits of this wonderful spice, however, are just the tip of the iceberg, with regards to healing capabilities of the clove.

Cloves are well known for their ability to reduce pain. Clove oil is excellent for reducing pain from a dental procedure. A few drops on a cotton ball are all that are needed to reduce the pain of a toothache. Clove oil can also reduce the pain from a sore throat; it can be found in natural throat sprays and mouth washes. The aroma of cloves has also been known to help relieve some symptoms of colds, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. This is what I had done last week; I inhaled the hot tea while resting in bed, and I cannot deny the fact that I felt a little better afterwards. Whole cloves can also be chewed to relieve bad breath.

Cloves have other healing properties, which range from helping control blood glucose levels to helping to prevent blood clots. From a spiritual level, clove helps to bring about insight into our emotional and physical pain. Eugenol, the main component of cloves, when mixed with rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus and lemon oils, can disinfect a room of 99% of airborne bacteria in twelve minutes! That’s pretty impressive! Clove oil can kill 60 different types of bacteria, 15 different strains of fungi, as well as several types of viruses. Those little buds from Indonesia and Zanzibar are powerhouses!

Cloves are known for their antiseptic properties, as well. Cloves and clove oil have been known to assist the healing of bruises, burns, and some fungal infections. You can find this ingredient in some natural burn creams, as well as some other natural items for topical fungal infections.

Cloves help with digestion. If you have an upset stomach, you can add a pinch to a glass of warm water and sip it slowly. I actually added the cloves and some ginger to help me out last week, and I have to tell you, it definitely worked. The spice has a sweet, pungent aroma that is very comforting. Cloves can assist in ridding the body of excessive gas, as well as some symptoms of vomiting and gastric upset.

Instead of wearing DEET this summer, how about a few drops of clove oil? Clove has natural mosquito repellent within, which makes it an ideal choice for children; however, because of its strength, it is advised to dilute the oil to prevent stinging of the skin. It can offer protection for up to four hours, and it can also be used to repel moths from your stored clothing. Clove oil is also a wonderful stress reliever; you can massage a drop or two on your temples to help you to relax!

If you use cloves in your food preparation a few times a week, it might not be enough to give you full antioxidant properties, although it can definitely help. In order to reap the full benefits of clove, it is advised to take clove in supplement form. However, one must take caution not to overdo on a good thing. Always consult your physician before beginning supplements of any kind. And remember that supplements and spices, while healthy and helpful, are not a substitute for medical care. If you are a victim of the virus from Hell, be sure to see your physician for a proper evaluation. When you begin your convalescence at home, be sure to investigate the wonders of cloves.