Description:The clove is an evergreen tree, 15 to 30 feet tall, native to the Spice Islands and the Philippines but also grown in India, Sumatra, Jamaica, the West Indies, Brazil, and other tropical areas. It has opposite, ovate leaves more than 5 inches long; and its flowers, when allowed to develop, are red and white, bell-shaped, and grow in terminal clusters. The familiar clove used in the kitchen is the dried flower bud. The fruit is a one- or two-seeded berry.

The clove tree is endemic in the North Moluccas (Indonesia) and was of old cultivated on the islands of Ternate, Tidore, Bacan and the West coast of Halmahera. The Dutch extended cultivation to several other islands in the Moluccas, but only after the end of the Dutch monopoly (18.th century), clove trees were introduced to other countries

The name clove , as well as Spanish clavo , Catalan clau , Portuguese cravinho and Tagalog clovas , ultimately derives from Latin clavus “nail” (because of shape resemblance). The word made its way into English via Old French clou . The word clove is related to the verb cleave (which is what you can do with a nail) and therefore also to clove as in a clove of garlic . See there for further connections of clavus .

Main constituents: up to 20% volatile oil, gallotannic acid, crystalline principles (caryophyllin and eugenin), gum, resin, fibre.

Properties: stimulant, carminative, aromatic, anodyne, antiemetic, antiseptic.

Uses: Toothache, oral hygiene:
Dentists use clove oil as an oral anesthetic. They also use it to disinfect root canals.

Antiseptic Uses:
Clove oil is the active ingredient in several mouthwash and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-relief preparations.

Infection fighter:
Clove kills intestinal parasites and exhibits broad antimicrobial properties against fungi and bacteria supporting its traditional use as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments.

Digestive aid:
Like many culinary spices, clove may help relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract.

Clove oil will stop the pain of a toothache when dropped into a cavity. A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, and clove tea will relieve nausea. Eating cloves is said to be aphrodisiac.

Safety Considerations: Toothaches require professional care. Clove oil may provide temporary relief, but see a dentist promptly.

Japanese researchers have discovered that like many spices, clove contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that scientists believe eventually causes cancer. On the other hand, in laboratory tests, the chemical eugenol, has been found to be a weak tumor promoter, making clove one of many healing herbs with both pro- and anti-cancer effects. At this point, scientists aren't sure which way the balance tilts. Until they are, anyone with a history of cancer should not use medicinal amounts of clove.

For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, powdered clove is considered nontoxic. However, high doses of the oil may cause stomach upset when ingested. When used externally, it may develop a rash.

Clove and clove oil in medicinal amounts should be consumed only under the supervision of a qualified professional.

Magical:

Folk Names: Mykhet, Carenfil.

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Powers: Protection, Love, Exorcism, Money.

Uses: To attract riches, drive away hostile and negative forces, stop others from gossiping about you, produce spiritual vibrations and purify the area, burn as an incense. To attract the opposite sex and bring comfort to the bereaved, wear or carry cloves.

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