Monday, April 2, 2012

Health Benefits of Cloves: Antioxidant

There are several health benefits of cloves. They are very good antioxidants. They aid digestion and help to get rid of bad breath.
  
Cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree. Clove bud is pink in color. It turns brown when it dries. Zanzibar is the world’s largest producer of cloves. Clove is also cultivated in other countries like Indonesia, India, West Indies and Madagascar. Cloves have been used for thousands of years in India and China for its medicinal properties and health benefits. Clove is used as a spice in several cuisines across the world. It gives a special flavor to food. It has excellent medicinal and nutritional value.
     
   Cloves
    Wikimedia Commons: Thamizhpparithi Maari
Nutrition Cloves

Cloves are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, phosphorous and hydrochloric acid. They also contain dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids.

Cloves for Teeth

Clove contains eugenol which has very good analgesic properties. They are very good for the teeth and can get rid of toothache. Hold a cotton ball dipped in clove oil to the gums below the affected tooth. It helps to relieve toothache. It also has antibacterial properties. It is used in the manufacture of dental creams, mouthwashes and mouth sprays.

Antispasmodic and Antiseptic Properties

Due to its antiseptic properties clove oil is used to treat cuts, burns, wounds, fungal infections and bruises. It has to be diluted as it can cause skin irritation. It can be applied topically to relieve muscle pain and spasms.


 Digestion Cloves

Cloves are an excellent remedy for indigestion. They can also help to relieve symptoms nausea, diarrhea, gastric irritability and vomiting.


Cloves Antioxidant Properties


Cloves are very good antioxidants and have the highest antioxidant capability compared to any other food. This helps to protect you against several degenerative diseases. Clove provides a boost to the immune system and helps to provide immunity against of a variety of diseases


Aromatherapy


Clove oil is used by aroma therapists to treat arthritis and rheumatism. It can help to relieve asthma, colds, cough, bronchitis and sinusitis.


Clove Tea


Add a four freshly ground cloves with tea leaves to half a liter of water and boil it. Let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain it with a fine mesh strainer. You can drink the tea plain. You can also add milk and sugar for taste. Drink clove tea twice a day to get its wonderful health benefits.


Clove for Bad Breath


Clove has a fresh spicy smell and is an excellent mouth freshener. Keep a few cloves in the pocket and put it in the mouth and chew whenever you want to.It masks bad breath effectively.Clove oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes. Mixed with salt and milk it is used as a remedy for headaches. Eugenol helps to control blood glucose levels. It also helps to prevent blood clots.These are some of the health benefits of cloves.

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