Description

“Clove is known in Sanskrit as Devapuspa, meaning ‘Heavenly flower’ and the name is attributed to its exotic aroma and its stupendous healing benefits.”

Botanical name: Syzygium aromaticum L

Origin: Indonesia 

Source: bud

Clove is a well known aromatic spice that is associated with winter holidays. Clove is used in many tea blends and also in many mulled wine recipes. This spice is warming and when used for aromatherapy purposes can create a cozy environment when diffused. Although clove oil is a very potent oil that should be used with great care in aromatherapy, it does have wonderful properties from stimulating the mind and lifting depression, to aiding digestion, relieving pain in arthritis, rheumatism and easing respiratory problems.

Clove is native to the Indonesian islands. Europeans fought with native Indonesians to be able to take part in the Clove business and the Dutch wanted to gain a monopoly over this industry and set fire to the Indonesian clove trees and since the trees had special meaning to Indonesians, they revolted and a blood battle began. By the 18th century, clove was introduced to many other regions which made the price drop and it was during this time that Clove was available for everyone, not just the rich and royal. Asian cultures mainly used Clove as a spice and the Indians in particular used clove for it’s antiviral medicinal properties in oral care, treating malaria and supporting digestion. Today, Clove oil is a great aromatherapy oil and diffusing this essential oil can help deter insects, clean the air and support anxiety and overall mood.

General properties

• antimicrobial
• antifungal
• antiseptic
• antiviral
• aphrodisiac
• stimulating

Blends well with

• basil
• cinnamon
• geranium
• grapefruit
• lavender
• lemon
• nutmeg
• orange
• peppermint
• rose
• rosemary

General uses

• anxiety
• asthma
• blood circulation
• blood purification
• bronchitis
• bruises
• cuts
• colds
• coughs
• dental pain
• depression
• diabetes
• earaches
• fatigue
• flatulence
• fungal infections
• headaches
• hiccups
• indigestion
• insomnia
• immune system
• insect repellent
• memory loss
• mental exhaustion
• mouth ulcers
• motion sickness
• nausea
• premature ejaculation
• prickly heat
• scabies
• sinusitis
• sore gums
• stress
• teething
• tooth ache
• tuberculosis
• wounds
• wrinkles

Precaution

While clove essential oil offers several therapeutic benefits, it is very potent oil and, hence, should always be used with great caution. Even when used in very small amounts, you need to dilute the oil with suitable carrier oils before ingestion or topical application. As eugenol, which is the primary element of this essential oil, is actually a rare substance, some people using this oil often develop violent allergies, especially when they use it in excessive doses. Therefore, it is advisable that you should always use clove essential oil in very small amounts, especially if you are using it for the first time. This holds true for any essential oil.