Sweet and a little spicy, cloves are an autumn spice staple. Harvested from evergreen trees native to South America and Asia, cloves have historically been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. Since they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, ground clove and clove oil are gaining popularity for their holistic healing abilities.
Clove Nutritional Information
Cloves are dried flowers that are found year-round in grocery and health food stores. They typically come ground or whole, and they’re used in both sweet and savory food applications. Although they’ve been used in Eastern medicine for centuries, cloves have recently been studied more thoroughly regarding their medicinal properties when it comes to Western medicine.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2.1 grams (roughly one teaspoon) of ground cloves contain:
- Calories: 6
- Protein: 0.13 grams
- Fat: 0.27 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1.38 grams
- Fiber: 0.7 grams
Cloves are also a great source of manganese, with one serving of ground cloves providing 67% of the recommended daily intake. Manganese helps produce and regulate the enzymes that repair your bones and produce hormones. This mineral also acts as an antioxidant to protect your body from free radicals that can cause cancer.
Let’s explore some of the benefits this incredible spice has to offer.
Benefits of Clove
1. Has Antibacterial Properties
Clove oil has been found to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In a 2012 study, clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria, including E. coli (the bacteria that can cause food poisoning). In an older study, clove essential oil stopped the growth of two types of bacteria that contribute to gum disease. This particular study concluded that – in conjunction with proper oral hygiene and regular brushing – clove oil could benefit your oral health.
2. May Improve Liver Function
Eugenol is the compound that makes up the vast majority of clove oil, and it may help improve liver function. In one study, rats with fatty liver disease were fed clove oil. Results showed improved liver function, less inflammation, and decreased oxidative stress. Similarly, another study found that eugenol helped reverse signs of liver cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease that leads to permanent scarring. While both of these studies were on rats, there is promise that the results can translate to human subjects.
3. Soothes Peptic Ulcers
The lining of your stomach protects the outside of your stomach and surrounding organs from the harsh acid inside. When this lining – called gastric mucus – wears thin, you develop a stomach or peptic ulcer. Ulcers can be caused by a combination of things, including stress, genetics, and some gastrointestinal infections. These ulcers are usually treated with over-the-counter or prescription ulcer medication, but one study concluded that clove extract helped just as much as medication in increasing gastric mucus (stomach lining). Be sure to speak with your doctor before potentially skipping any prescribed medication, though!
4. Aids Blood Sugar Regulation
Clove oil may help people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels. Research suggests that clove oil can help reduce blood sugar, both before and after meals. A 2019 study found that ingesting clove oil after eating helped lower glucose levels in people without diabetes. More research is needed on people with diabetes, but these first results seem promising.
5. Is Full of Nutrients
Besides a healthy dose of manganese, clove offers significant nutritional benefits. The spice contains 4% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin K (supports heart and vascular health); 3% of the RDI of vitamin C; and small amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. It’s also a good source of fiber. In addition, vitamin C and eugenol, both great antioxidants, have been shown to help slow the development of chronic disease.
6. May Promote Bone Health
Because of their high eugenol content, a mineral that promotes bone health, cloves may also support the health of your bones! One animal study in 2011 found that clove oil not only improved many of the markers of osteoporosis (a degenerative bone condition) but also increased bone density and strength. Like many of the studies involving clove oil, these studies haven’t been conducted with humans, so more information is needed.
7. Measures High in Antioxidants
According to a 2012 article from Today’s Dietitian, “just 1/2 teaspoon of ground clove is said to contain more antioxidants than 1/2 cup of blueberries.” In several different studies, scientists found that clove extract helped to slow the growth of colon cancer cells and breast cancer cells in humans ‒ and clove oil has been found to slow the growth of tumors in mice significantly.
8. Acts as an Insect Repellant
Looking for an essential oil bug spray? Clove oil might be your answer. Eugenol is a powerful insecticide. Simply spray clove oil directly on household pests or place whole, dried cloves in spots around the home where pests are most common.
Adapted from IIN