Cloves are the dried buds of Eugenia caryophyllata, a plant native to the Moluccas islands. The essential oil is obtained from them by distillation, and is renowned for its ability to relieve toothache; it has been used since antiquity to mask bad breath. Even as an infusion, this spice can offer us all its beneficial properties. Four or five cloves are left to steep for a few minutes in a cup of boiling water.

Healing properties of cloves

Essential oil

Against fatigue and depression, clove essential oil is certainly one of the best remedies. It is indeed an excellent tonic and restorative, to be used during periods of stress that cause tiredness and exhaustion. More effective at a physical than a mental level, it can also be used, for example, in the bath or shower as a revitaliser (one hundred ml of liquid neutral soap to ten drops of essential oil). It is also an excellent antiviral and antibacterial, recommended against cystitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and bacterial colitis (in this regard, it can be used during exotic travel, as it blocks the typical intestinal effects). Tonic, stimulating, invigorating, aphrodisiac. Calming, purifying, insect-repellent.

Against toothache

Another important use is against toothache: cloves were chewed for this purpose since antiquity (one drop of clove oil and one of sage on a cotton ball applied to the painful area is recommended).

Against coughs

Thanks to their antiseptic and germicidal action, they protect against coughs, influenza and related respiratory complications. During the cold months it is advisable to drink one clove infusion per day. In cases of colds and coughs, it is useful to combine the infusion with inhalations: place two cloves in half a litre of boiling water and then breathe in the warm steam through the nose with a thick towel over your head.

What they are used for

Care of the skin (acne, sores, cuts, burns), for respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis), for disorders related to the digestive system (colic, nausea). This spice is used against infectious and cold-related illnesses.

Contraindications

It is advisable not to use the essential oil during pregnancy, on young children, or in cases of hepatic or renal disorders.

Use in cooking

Their flavour is sweet with a slightly bitter edge, intense and pungent. In cooking they are very versatile: from desserts to sauces to meats, cloves should be used sparingly, as they can become cloying. Rich in valuable antioxidants, they are aperitif and digestive in nature, making them ideal both at the start and end of a meal. Folk wisdom has long established their use in broths and boiled meats: scientific studies have confirmed the effectiveness of cloves as an antiseptic and disinfectant, particularly well suited to preserving liquids. They are stored dried in an airtight container, away from light and moisture.

Recipes for use in cooking

An indispensable ingredient in mulled wine, cloves are also used to prepare panpepato and a great many other recipes, both sweet and savoury.