The Health Benefits of Cloves

Sourced from an evergreen tree that grows in Asia and South America, clove is a natural substance said to offer several health benefits. The tree's leaves, flower buds, and fruit also produce clove oil, which is widely used in aromatherapy. Clove's health benefits are thought to result from its purportedly pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.

Uses for Cloves

In alternative medicine, clove and clove oil are typically touted as natural remedies for the following health problems:

allergies
arthritis
colds
dry socket
fever
impotence
migraines
nausea
vomiting

The Science Behind Clove's Health Benefits

In Germany, a governmental regulatory agency known as German Commission E has approved clove for use as a topical antiseptic and anesthetic. However, research on clove's health benefits is limited.

Here's a look at several findings from the available scientific studies:

1) Dental Pain

In a 2006 study of 73 adults, researchers found that clove-based gel was comparable to benzocaine (a local anesthetic) in its ability to ease pain resulting from injections in the mouth.

See Natural Remedies for a Toothache.

2) Food Poisoning

In lab tests published in 2009, scientists found that clove bud oil (as well as essential oils of cinnamon and allspice) may help protect against food poisoning. After adding clove oil to an edible apple puree, the scientists observed that clove bud oil helped suppress the growth of listeria (a type of bacteria known to cause food-borne illness).

3) Cancer

Preliminary research suggests that clove holds promise as a means of protecting against lung cancer.


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In a 2006 study on mice exposed to carcinogens, scientists discovered that animals treated with clove were less likely to develop lung cancer. However, since researchers have yet to test these findings in clinical trials, it's not known whether clove could have the same effect on human lung health.

Caveats

Cloves may cause allergic reactions and certain adverse effects (such as a burning sensation, increased risk of bleeding, and lowered blood sugar levels) in some individuals.

Using Cloves for Health

Given the lack of science behind clove's purported health benefits, clove cannot currently be recommended as a standard treatment for any condition. If you're interested in using clove for health purposes, make sure to consult your physician before beginning treatment. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.

Source by ; http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/clove_benefits.htm