Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium Aromaticum tree. For years, cloves have widely been used not only as a spice but also as a medicine for many ailments. It was traditionally used for curing tooth decay, digestive issues, bad breath, and even as an aphrodisiac.
Nutrition Content Of Cloves:
Cloves, besides lending a fragrant aroma to foods like biryani, dal, curries, soups and tea, display a superb nutritional profile, comprising numerous essential vitamins, minerals, as well as dietary fibers. They are inherently low in calories, making them ideal for weight loss, besides supplying ample amounts of fibers, to facilitate smooth digestion. Cloves are a rich source of manganese, a key trace mineral for optimal brain functions and strengthening bones, along with calcium and phosphorous.
Blessed with generous quantities of vitamin K, cloves aid in prompt blood clotting processes in tissue injuries, while the vast reserves of potassium are valuable for maintaining normal blood pressure and preventing hypertension. Cloves also contain a plethora of compounds with potent antioxidant properties, namely vitamin C, vitamin E, eugenol, flavonoids and gallic acid, which eliminate harmful free radicals from the body. This averts the risk of cancer, bolsters immunity, ensures optimal metabolism and promotes healthy skin and hair.
Ways To Add Cloves In The Regular Diet:
Cloves have been an integral part of Indian kitchens since time immemorial, for their overpowering minty aroma and subtly spicy flavour, in addition to the myriad health benefits they confer. Cloves, also called “Laung” or “Lavanga” in India, are used in traditional desi recipes either as the whole bud or ground into a fine powder.
The powdered clove is often a part of customary Indian spice mixes, such as garam masala, Goda masala and Chettinad masala. Clove powder or dried buds are also added to teas, warm beverages and desserts, to complement the sweet taste of sugar, honey, jaggery. Clove is used in small amounts to prepare pulao, biryani, as well as dals, meat curries and soups, for their invigorating fragrance and mildly tangy taste.
Superb Health Benefits of Cloves:
Promotes Digestion
Cloves improve digestion by stimulating enzyme secretions and increases digestive motility. Cloves are best used for easing flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, and nausea.
Controls Diabetes
Cloves are best for people with high blood sugar levels. Research has found that cloves improve insulin sensitivity and aids in the efficient functioning of insulin.
Good For Bones And Joints
Cloves are packed with hydro-alcoholic compounds such as eugenol and flavonoids that help increase the bone density and mineral content in bones. People with weak bones and osteoporosis are benefitted from taking cloves regularly.
Boosts Immune System
The amazing ingredient, eugenol in clove is very effective against many harmful bacteria, fungus, and virus. The anti-viral and blood purification potential of clove decrease the toxicity in blood and increase the resistance against diseases by stimulating white blood cells.
Reduces Body Pain And Inflammation
The eugenol in cloves possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps ease pain by stimulating pain receptors in the body. Clove oil or extract provides relief from arthritis, inflammation and any pain in general.
Relieves Toothache
Clove oil is an effective remedy for dental pain, toothaches, sore gums, and mouth ulcers due to its germicidal properties. As per the American Dental Association clove oil has been approved as a dental anaesthetic.
Prevents Cancer
To stay protected from cancer eat more cloves, as the eugenol in clove possess strong anticarcinogenic properties and helps control lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer at its early stages.
Eases Breathing
In these days and times of tough pandemic, always keep cloves handy for treating breathing difficulties. Patients suffering from bronchitis, asthma are often advised to inhale the smell of cloves for instant relief. Put some cloves on a hot pain and inhale those fumes for opening clogged airways and to east breathing difficulties. Add two drops of clove oil to your tea for cleansing the airways or chew on a piece of clove to soothe your sore throat.
Stimulates Blood Circulation
Adding clove to your daily diet triggers metabolic activity and regulates body temperature. Loaded with antioxidants, cloves can purify blood and provide glow to the skin from within. If you are feeling stressed out, rub some warm clove oil on head, neck and back for instant relief and calm the mood.
