Carnation. Properties on the human body, effects on vision, heart, gastrointestinal tract, parasites, viruses

Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, clove pods have many useful properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that it has been used since ancient times in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and improve digestion. To date, it has been proven that it is capable of providing a therapeutic effect on many parts of the human body.

Compound

Clove, sourced from Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree native to Asia and South America, is a culinary spice. Clove oil is used to kill parasites and repel insects, as it contains eugenol, a powerful bactericide, and caryophyllene, which has antimicrobial properties.

The nutrients in cloves are mainly carbohydrates, proteins and dietary fiber. Minerals present in significant amounts in the seasoning include potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium. The product is also high in vitamin E, folate and niacin. At a lower concentration, cloves contain phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C and K, thiamine and riboflavin.

Considering that very small portions of this spice are placed in food and drinks, it cannot cover human need for vitamins and minerals, despite their high content in their chemical composition.

Bioactive compounds that can be isolated from clove extracts include flavonoids, hexane, methylene chloride, ethanol, thymol, eugenol, and benzene. These biochemicals have antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Groups of nutrients and other characteristics	Nutrients and other categories related to chemical composition	Content in 100 g of ground cloves
Nutritional value
Water	9.87 g
Energy	1145 kj
Calories	274
Protein	5.97 g
Fats	13 g
Carbohydrates	65.53 g
Cellulose	33.9 g
Sugar in general	2.38 g
Sucrose	0.2 g
Glucose	1.14 g
Fructose	1.07 g
Galactose	0.15 g
Minerals
Calcium	632 mg
Iron	11.83 mg
Magnesium	259 mg
Phosphorus	104 mg
Potassium	1020 mg
Sodium	277 mg
Zinc	2.32 mg
Copper	0.37 mg
Manganese	60.13 mg
Selenium	7.2 μg
Vitamins
Vitamin C	0.2 mg
Vitamin A, RAE	8 mcg
Carotene, beta	45 mcg
Cryptoxanthin, beta	103 mcg
Vitamin A, IU	160 IU
Vitamin E (as alpha-tocopherol)	8.82 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	141.8 mcg
Pantothenic acid	0.51 mg
Vitamin B6	0.39 mg
Folate	25 mcg
Folic acid, food grade	25 mcg
Choline	37.4 mg
Betaine	1,4 mg
Thiamine	0.16 mg
Riboflavin	0.22 mg
Niacin	1.56 mg
Fatty acid
Saturated	3.58 g
Monounsaturated	1.39 g
Polyunsaturated	3.61 g
Transmonoene	0.21 g
Trans-polyene	0.04 g
Biologically active compounds
Phytosterols	256 mg
Tryptophan	0.03 g
Threonine	0.18 g
Isoleucine	0.24 g
Leucine	0.4 g
Lysine	0.37 g
Methionine	0.08 g
Cystine	0.07 g
Phenylalanine	0.23 g
Tyrosine	0.19 g
Valine	0.34 g
Arginine	0.32 g
Histidine	0.13 g
Alanin	0.29 g
Aspartic acid	0.6 g
Glutamic acid	0.56 g
Glycine	0.28 g
Proline	0.39 g
Serine	0.24 g

Useful properties of cloves for the human body

The properties of cloves have a very good effect on the human body. First and foremost, this seasoning is an excellent source of beta-carotene, which gives it its rich brown color. Pigments of the carotene family are essential antioxidants and provitamins for the body. They can be converted to vitamin A, an important nutrient for maintaining eye health.

The most significant benefits of cloves are as follows.

Reducing inflammation

Cloves contain many compounds that have been linked to anti-inflammatory properties. Eugenol is the most important of these. It has been shown to reduce the inflammatory response in the body and reduce the risk of developing diseases such as arthritis, as well as the onset of their exacerbations, and helps to cope with symptoms.

Reducing free radicals

The eugenol found in cloves is also a powerful antioxidant. These compounds help the body fight free radicals that damage cells and can lead to disease. By removing free radicals from the metabolic system, the antioxidants found in cloves help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Relieves stomach ulcers

Cloves can help protect the stomach from ulcers. Most ulcers are caused by thinning of the layers of mucus that protect the stomach lining. Preliminary research suggests that cloves can thicken this mucus, reducing the risk of ulcers and helping existing ulcers heal.

Improving liver function

The properties of the clove affect the human body very widely. It has been shown to help improve liver function. Some studies have shown that the eugenol in cloves helps reduce the signs of cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, as well as its overall function.

Effects of cloves on children and pregnant and lactating women

Children should not consume cloves, much less their essential oil. Pregnant and lactating women are allowed to consume food prepared with this herb, but they should not take medicated doses of cloves as this could harm the baby.

Contraindications for use

The properties of clove on the human body are considered predominantly positive, but it has been established that clove oil can negatively influence the diversity of the gut microbiota when ingested, as some beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract are too sensitive to eugenol.

Consuming large amounts of clove oil is generally not recommended. It may cause a burning sensation if swallowed. Instead, it is recommended to apply it to the skin or use it as a cleanser.

The eugenol in cloves slows blood clotting and can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Therefore, condiments should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders, preparing for various operations and taking anticoagulant drugs.

Since consumption of cloves has been shown to lower blood sugar levels, it should be avoided in people with hypoglycemia.

Popular recipes

Cloves are available in both whole and chopped form. However, its beneficial properties rapidly decline after grinding. To keep the flavor of the seasoning intense, it is required to purchase whole cloves and store in airtight containers until needed. If a recipe requires ground seasoning, you can grind it with a pepper mill to keep it as fresh as possible.

Cloves are a calming and beneficial addition to your diet.

Some of the most recommended uses for this aromatic spice are as follows:

• sprinkle pumpkin pie with ground cloves;
• add seasoning to tea or latte;
• Use whole cloves in savory marinades
• used as an essential spice in curries;
• prepare mulled wine with thick clove sprinkles;
• use with other seasonings in dry mixtures for grating meat.

Clove tea

One of the most effective ways to benefit from cloves is to brew them in tea. Its strength and concentration depend on personal preference. Clove tea has the pungent taste and smell of this seasoning.

To prepare it you will need:

• 1 tbsp. l. carnations;
• 1 tbsp. water.

The process of preparing the drink is quite simple:

1. It is necessary to grind 1 tbsp. l. whole cloves - powder in a spice mill or coffee grinder.
2. The chopped spice should be placed in a mug, covered with boiling water and brewed for 3-4 minutes.
3. Then you need to strain the drink and serve. The aromatic and spicy clove tea is good at any time of the year, but it is especially appreciated in winter. If you wish, you can add 1 tsp to it. l. honey and stir.

Drinking clove tea is recommended early in the morning for maximum benefits. However, moderation should be observed and the strength of the drink should not be increased too much. It is recommended not to forget that an excess of even a useful product can be harmful to health.

Clove decoction

Prepare a decoction by boiling 5-6 cloves in 30 ml of water. Take this special tea with honey three times a day as one expectorant.Chewing the clove with table salt further reduces coughing.

Infusion

Prepare an infusion by boiling one liter of water combined with a teaspoon of cloves. Strain the solution shortly after 15 min. and drink the resulting solution 3 times a day to cope with motion sickness, especially when it is caused by a change in altitude.

The use of cloves in traditional medicine

The properties of cloves on the human body are medicinal. It is used to treat many diseases and relieve numerous symptoms.

For heart

It is recommended to include 1 tsp. l. clove powder in your daily diet, chew it neat after every meal, or even consume it with warm water every day on an empty stomach. This will help to significantly lower cholesterol levels and improve heart function.

For the digestive tract

In folk medicine, cloves are used to treat stomach diseases and vomiting, stimulate digestive functions:

• It is required to add 2-3 stars of cloves to a glass of boiling water and let it brew for about 10 minutes. After that, you should sweeten it with honey and drink it to eliminate flatulence and increased gas formation.
• With increased acidity, you need to chew a clove immediately after eating. Ideally, you should only consume water afterward and not eat anything sweet or even oxygenated for several hours.
• To relieve nausea, it is recommended that you apply a few drops of clove oil to a handkerchief and inhale the scent. You can also chew 1 or 2 stars of the seasoning.
• To stop vomiting, you need to mix clove powder with honey and eat the resulting mixture. You can also add a few drops of clove oil to a glass of warm water, and then drink the solution in small sips.
• Cloves are used to increase the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and improve peristalsis.
• You can boil 5-6 clove buds in 2 tbsp. water for several minutes, then leave the broth covered for 20 minutes. Then you need to sweeten it to taste with honey. This flavored broth can soothe indigestion and nausea and stimulate food cravings.
• Clove oil, taken with sugar, is known to heal stomach pain.

In the fight against viruses

For influenza, ARVI and other viral respiratory diseases, it is recommended to drink 2-3 tbsp. clove tea every day - this will help to quickly cope with the virus.

Other similar folk recipes look like this:

1. When coughing or just a congestion in the throat, it is recommended to chew fried cloves. It is also an excellent medicine for inflammation of the pharynx (a condition called pharyngitis).
2. To reduce the heat, you need to chop 4 clove buds, mix with warm water and drink immediately.
3. In case of severe sore throat, you should take a clove pod and evenly cover it with a layer of natural honey (only 1 tbsp. l.), leave to soak for about 8 hours, and then use by sucking with the gradual swallowing of honey. This will lubricate the throat, allowing relief from the condition.
4. To cope with a dry cough, you can pour a little clove oil into hot water and then inhale the aromatic vapor.
5. To relieve coughing, take equal amounts of cloves and pomegranate peels. It is necessary to grind and grind well both components. You need to take the medicinal mixture for 0.25 tsp. l. together with 0.5 tsp. l. honey 3 times a day.
6. If you keep a dry clove bud in your mouth for a long time, it will certainly thin and remove phlegm. The seasoning also does a great job of reducing bad breath.

Headache

The properties of cloves, which are medicinal for the human body, include analgesic effects.

This seasoning is often used in various ways to relieve headaches:

• It is necessary to prepare a paste of ground cloves along with table salt. To relieve headaches, it is recommended to use it together with milk.
• Applying clove paste with water also relieves headaches.
• It is required to grind 5 clove buds. put them in a cup filled with water and boil until 0.5 tbsp remains. liquids. Strain it, put sugar and cool so that the broth can be drunk. It is recommended to take it twice a day (in the evening and then at night) to reduce chronic headache.

Toothache

In the dentistry of the past, cloves have been used as a medicine to relieve pain in an unexpectedly diseased tooth.

Today, the following recommendations are actively used:

• If you experience a severe and excruciating toothache, you can try applying a little clove oil to the disturbing tooth or even chewing a whole bud. This will immediately relieve the pain syndrome.
• It is recommended that you chew a whole clove or even gargle with clove solution to combat bad breath. To prepare the solution, you need to boil several clove buds in water for a few minutes, then leave to stand for about 2 minutes. and then strain. Once it has cooled down, you can use it to rinse your mouth after every meal.
• Using cloves to relieve toothache is a very common home remedy. Pressing the bud of a carnation between the jaws, in the place of the aching tooth.
• You can also apply clove oil to the cavity of a decayed tooth. It can reduce pain and help the body fight off infectious inflammation.
• To prepare another good folk remedy, you need to grind 5 clove buds well and squeeze on top of them from 1 lemon, mix well and grind the diseased tooth, adding this to it means.
• To make a decoction for rinsing your teeth, you need to boil 5 clove buds in 250 ml of water. Rinse your mouth with the prepared mixture 3 times a day, especially if you experience a toothache.

From other diseases and negative conditions

Cloves are traditionally used in other folk recipes used to relieve pain and treat many diseases:

• If a person has diabetes and wants to naturally control blood glucose levels, it is advisable for him to regularly eat cloves. Alternatively, you can try consuming about 10 grams of clove powder along with warm water before meals every day.
• Alternatively, you can simply chew on a few buds of the seasoning and after a few minutes the bad breath will disappear.
• A little clove oil should be used in combination with a carrier oil (such as olive or sunflower oil) to apply the resulting mixture topically and relieve pain in joints, damaged muscles and areas of the body suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. You need to repeat this simple instruction many times a day.
• To avoid aggravation from breathing problems arising from various reasons, it is recommended to regularly chew a couple of clove buds.
• A mixture of warm sesame oil and clove oil is also considered an excellent natural remedy for ear pain.
• To combat asthma, you need to soak 2 cloves buds, 12-15 basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum), 10 black pepper leaves (Piper nigrum) in water and simmer for 15 minutes, strain, mix with 2 h l. honey and drink with milk.
• In cases of prolonged nausea and vomiting, it is required to make a healing paste by simply mixing clove powder with honey. Sucking on a flower bud smeared with lemon juice and honey is also considered effective.
• A clove bud, boiled in water for later consumption, can help reduce the feeling of vomiting.
• Using a few drops of clove oil in combination with mustard oil is beneficial for joint pain and muscle cramps.
• To combat spasmodic cough in tuberculosis, bronchitis and asthma, you need to mix a few drops of clove oil and garlic juice with honey, and eat such a mixture every night before going to bed.
• In case of earache, mix clove and sesame oil (Sesamum indicum), heat the mixture and apply to the ears.
• To help treat acne problems, it is required to use a powder and clove paste within the affected area.
• It is recommended that you mix a few drops of clove oil with jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) or even coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) and apply on acne. This home treatment not only eliminates acne, but additionally helps fight age spots.
• It is required to grind a few clove buds and mix with a little milk to make a paste, add a little salt. You need to mix everything very carefully, then apply to the painful area to relieve pain.
• 2 clove stars can be mixed with honey and eaten to treat measles.
• It is recommended to fry 2 clove buds over a fire, mix with honey and then suck to cure whooping cough.
• Application of a solution of 0.25 tsp. l. olive oil combined with a drop of clove oil is an effective home remedy for teething pain relief.
• 1 hour l. it is required to boil in about 1 tbsp. water until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. Drinking this medicinal decoction many times a day will help naturally cure cholera.

The healing properties of cloves have the best effect on the human body when brewed in the form of tea, when it comes to ingestion. For external use, it is advisable to use clove oil for this purpose.

Carnation video

Malysheva about carnation: