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Cloves (ding xiang)
Syzygium aromaticum
formerly Eugenia caryophyllata
This page contains information on cloves and how they are used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems, such as impotence, toothaches and others in Chinese medicine.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Myrtaceae |
Genus and specie |
Syzygium aromaticum- formerly Eugenia caryophyllata |
Clavos, caryophyllus as well as Ding xiang.
Clove trees are small, bushy and evergreen, with shiny, leathery, lance-like leaves. Fragrant, pink-white flowers that fall on opening and a tuft of yellow stamens are produced in late summer, followed by purple berries.
The dried flower buds (Caryophylli floss) are used for medicinal and culinary purposes and an essential oil is also distilled.
Cloves are a spicy, warming herb that relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, improve digestion, protect against internal parasites, cause uterine contractions and are strongly antiseptic.
They contain flavonoids, galloytannins, phenolic acids and triterpenes, while the oil contains eugenol, eugenyl acetate and b-caryophyllene.
The eugenol contained inhibits prostaglandin formation, which explains the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, but the herb has further antiseptic, antispasmodic and carminative properties.
- Internal use
- It is used for digestive problems, helping the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract to relax.
- Cloves also kill intestinal parasites and act as an antimicrobial agent against fungi and bacteria.
- It has also been suggested that cloves have an antihistamine action as well.
- In Chinese medicine it is used for nausea, vomiting, impotence as well as hiccups.
- In folk medicine a clove is placed on the gum where toothache is present, and although it is effective, should not be done too much for too long.
- External use
- Cloves are used for toothache, in dental hygiene, and to treat insect bites.
- It is also used to help with rheumatism, as well as myalgia. The essential oil has good insect repellant properties.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- It has a stimulating effect on the mind while its antiseptic properties are helpful to prevent viral infections.
The oil is useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis and although not used in skin care, has a positive effect on skin sores and ulcers.
- A very small amount of clove oil can be applied to the affected area in cases of toothache.
- It has analgesic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, stomachic and uterine properties.
Clove essential oil is very potent and care should be taken when using it as it can irritate the skin.
It should rather be avoided during pregnancy.
The oil made from the bud is less irritating than clove leaf or stem oil.
Do not use any of the clove essential oils in a bath since it may irritate mucus membranes.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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