12/16/2025
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Herb Spotlight: Clove
This time of year, we are using a massive quantity of cloves! From our Elderberry Syrup Kits to Mulling Spices to our Orchard House and Bah Humbug herbal teas, we love the aroma, taste, and health benefits of clove.
Cloves, a popular cooking spice and important medicinal herb, are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, originally native to Indonesia.
The very distinctive flavor and aroma of clove buds comes mainly from the compound eugenol, which constitutes up to 90% of the essential oil of clove. Eugenol is also present in and contributes much to the flavor, aroma and medicinal properties of Tulsi, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Bay leaf. Eugenol is anti-inflammatory and has lots of good anti-oxidant properties as well.
As a medicinal herb, Cloves are gently warming and drying, increasing circulation and metabolism and stimulating the digestive tract. It does not generally aggravate unless taken in excessive amounts.
It is an astringent herb with a distinctive pungent taste, classified according to the following properties:
antiseptic (anti-microbial)
anaesthetic (pain-relieving)
carminative (gas-relieving)
antispasmodic (cramp-relieving)
antiemetic (nausea-relieving)
expectorant (congestion-relieving)
Modern medicinal research has focused on investigating the powerful potential of Cloves for pain-relief, including toothaches, reducing oral pathogens and gingivitis and boosting insulin and lowering blood sugar in people with diabetic conditions, among other potential uses.
Cloves contain compounds that have been shown to protect against formation of stomach ulcers in animal models, such as by increasing production of gastric mucus that helps prevent erosion of the stomach lining. At least one study has even found that clove can have similar effects as several anti-ulcer medications.
The beneficial properties of Cloves come in many different forms: it can be used in cooking or as a beverage spice or in tea (this is typically how we use it in our Apothecary products), as a powder, and as an essential oil.
Clove oil (if using essential oil, you need to dilute in a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil) applied topically can have a numbing effect on the nerves.
Clove essential oil can be mixed with olive oil and applied to the gums for a teething baby or to help reduce oral/tooth pain and infection. It helps reduce plaque, gingivitis, and bacteria in the mouth. (A good way to use clove oil if you have oral health issues is to add a drop or two to a teaspoon of coconut oil and do oil pulling for 5 minutes every day)
Cloves contain Manganese which is essential for bone health.
Clove tea (by itself or in a blend with other herbs) helps to reduce sore throat and a cough while supporting lung health.
So stock up on your favorite clove tea and grab a bottle of therapeutic grade clove oil to keep on hand as part of your home apothecary!
Elderberry syrup kits, Bah Humbug and Orchard House herbal teas can all be found here:
www.pharmhousefm.com/s/shop
