Image Source: Dr. Axe

Clove, or laung as we commonly know it, is a spice that is of common use in Indian households. We use to as mouth fresheners, for oral care, to soothe a sore throat and a lot more things. Clove is usually cultivated in India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Shri Lanka, and Tanzania. This fragrant spice is used in Asian, African, Middle Eastern cuisines, lending flavor and fragrance to meat, curries, marinades, etc. But there are many more uses to clove than just flavoring food. Let’s read and find out how clove is beneficial in our day to day life.

1. Nausea And Vomiting

Clove is a very widely used home remedy for nausea and vomiting. The flavor and fragrance of clove, and the juices that come out of clove when it is chewed between two teeth, stops the vomiting sensation and makes a person feel better. In fact, it is also used to treat morning sickness. Mix 10 clove pieces with tamarind, and palm sugar, and add water to it. Now make a paste by grinding it. Consuming this mixture 2-3 times a day, will help to alleviate morning sickness.

2. Cough And Cold

Clove is one of the most used home remedy for treating cough and cold. The juices that are released when we bite the cloves with our teeth, soothe the sore throat and reduce the cough and cold related problems. While you can include clove in your daily diet by adding it to the dishes you prepare, to benefit most out of it, it is advisable to eat clove raw. Remember that you have to chew on clove and not swallow it, to obtain maximum benefits. Chew on a clove whenever you feel irritation in your throat.

3. Stress

Clove also soothes and relieves stress. The fragrance and the flavour both help to calm you down and relieve the stress and anxiety. You can either add clove powder to your tea or other meal preparations or you can consume clove directly.

4. Toothache

Clove and clove oil are widely used home remedies for oral care like gum swelling and toothache. The benefits of chewing on clove are so effective that even dentists suggests that one should regularly chew on clove to reduce the oral problems. The anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the swelling on the gums, the anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties help to reduce the growth of bacteria and other micro organisms in your mouth and the soothing properties help to relieve the toothache due to cavity or dry socket.

5. Skin Problems

Clove is very useful when it comes to treating skin related problems. It has the potential to remove acne, blemishes and scars from the skin. The good part is, clove can be used internally as well as externally to treat skin problems. The anti-bacterial properties of clove help to kill the acne causing bacteria and thus retard the infection and growth of acne on the skin. The good part is, usage of clove is not restricted to only treating acne, it has equal effect on black and white heads. Just add one part of clove oil to 10 parts of a carrier oil and dab it on the affected area. This will treat the acne, black and white heads. You might feel a little tingling sensation on the skin, but don’t worry, it’s just because of the properties of clove

6. Blemishes And Scars

Clove oil, or clove paste made by mixing clove with milk, when applied to the skin, reduces the blemishes and patchiness on the skin. It gently exfoliates the skin and makes it healthier and brighter.

7. Mouth Freshener

We often see that people serve clove after a meal, or a paan is tied with a clove, this is because clove also works as a mouth freshener. It not only treats the oral problems, but it also absorbs the foul odor from the mouth. This is the reason why people prefer eating clove after finishing their meals.

So many benefits from one small piece of spice. I guess this is why they say, big surprises come in small packets. No matter how and why you use clove, just remember to make it an important and integral part of your meal.