Grounded cloves

Description

🌿 Grounded Cloves – Full Information

🔬 Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum

👄 Common Names:

• Clove powder / Ground cloves (English)

• Clous de girofle moulu (French)

• Karafu (Swahili)

• Intangawizi y’umushogoro (Kinyarwanda – traditional name reference)

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🌍 Origin & Botanical Background

Cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree, native to the Maluku Islands (Indonesia). Today, they are widely cultivated in Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and India. Ground cloves are made by finely grinding the dried buds into a dark, aromatic powder.

Clove is one of the oldest and most powerful spices in traditional medicine, culinary arts, and perfumery.

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🍽️ Nutritional Profile (per 100g of clove powder)

• Calories: ~274 kcal

• Protein: 6 g

• Carbohydrates: 66 g

• Fibre: 34 g

• Fat: 13 g (mostly healthy oils)

• Vitamin C: 21 mg

• Vitamin K: 141 μg

• Manganese: Very high (60%+ DV per teaspoon)

• Calcium, Iron, Magnesium

• Essential Oil: Eugenol (main active compound) – up to 80–90%

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⚕️ Health Benefits

✅ 1. Powerful Antioxidant

• One of the richest natural sources of antioxidants.

• Protects cells from oxidative stress and supports anti-ageing.

✅ 2. Natural Pain Relief

• Eugenol acts as a local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory, especially for toothache and sore gums.

✅ 3. Improves Digestion

• Stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes.

• Helps reduce bloating, gas, indigestion, and nausea.

✅ 4. Anti-Microbial & Antifungal

• Fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi (especially Candida).

• Traditionally used in oral hygiene and food preservation.

✅ 5. Supports Liver Health

• Eugenol helps protect the liver from oxidative damage.

• Assists in detoxification and healthy metabolism.

✅ 6. May Regulate Blood Sugar

• Shown to help increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar spikes.

✅ 7. Immune Booster

• Combats respiratory infections, sore throats, and coughs.

• Often combined with honey, lemon, or ginger in traditional remedies.

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🧴 Cosmetic & Topical Uses

• Tooth powder or mouthwash: Natural anti-germ and refreshing agent.

• Face masks (in small doses): Antiseptic properties help acne-prone skin.

• Oil infusions or balms: For muscle pain or joint massage.

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🥗 Culinary Uses

• Common in spice blends: Garam masala, pumpkin spice, ras el hanout.

• Used in curries, stews, marinades, chai, and mulled wine.

• Enhances baking: cookies, cakes, bread, and festive desserts.

• Just a pinch adds depth, warmth, and aroma.

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🧪 Traditional Medicinal Use

• Ayurveda: Used to balance Kapha and Vata doshas.

• Chinese Medicine: Warms the stomach and kidneys.

• African & Arab herbalism: For infections, breath, libido, and colds.

• Included in “fire cider” and warming herbal tonics.

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⚠️ Precautions & Safety

• Potent spice – a little goes a long way.

• High doses may irritate the stomach or cause liver stress.

• Pregnancy: Safe in culinary amounts; avoid high doses or essential oil internally.

• Children: Use small amounts; avoid concentrated oil.

• Can interact with blood thinners like warfarin (due to eugenol’s blood-thinning effects).

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📦 Storage Tips

• Keep in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture.

• Use within 6–12 months for peak flavour and potency.

• Store separately as it can easily overpower other spices.

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🧪 INCI Name (for cosmetics)

Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) Flower Powder / Bud Powder