Nature is full of wonders, especially those that can improve human health. One such component is the clove. Cloves are a very famously used spice in Indian food and other cuisines around the world. It has a warm spicy aroma and earthy flavour that goes well in aromatic Indian spice mixes like Garam Masala. Essential oils are a great way to extract the best of such natural ingredients. Clove essential oil is squeezed from raw and dried clove buds and is a concentrated extract of all the goodness the tree has to offer. Sometimes, other tree parts are also used, like stems and leaves.
Clove oil ranges from colourless to light yellow coloured. Regardless of its physical attributes, this oil is highly potent and universally has a strong and spicy aroma. This oil has magical healthy properties and has been used for centuries for various purposes. Let’s find out how you can make the best out of a bottle of clove oil!
Benefits of Clove Oil
Clove oil has been used for many benefits across the globe for centuries. That is because it has excellent antimicrobial qualities, which can disinfect surfaces and body parts affected by bacterial infection. It is also a great pain reliever when applied topically. It is effective for toothache and sore muscles. Inhaling it in some ways, like adding it to your humidifier, will help relieve cough and asthma.
All these properties result from a compound called eugenol, the primary element that gives clove oil all these extraordinary powers. Science is still out to understand the full range of benefits that clove oil offers. So let’s take a deep dive into all the findings so far.
1.Antimicrobial and Antifungal
Clove oil is very efficient at killing bacterial growth in liquid culture and biofilm. A biofilm is a bacterial community that is shielded by a slimy film. Some antibiotics are very effective against bacteria, but not many of them can effectively kill bacteria in a biofilm. Eugenol is also very able at killing yeast and other types of fungi.
2.Dental Uses
Sugary foods like apple juice, candies, etc., cause dental erosion, which causes cavities. To avoid such dental issues, clove oil is highly beneficial. According to studies, it is as effective as fluoride, which is commonly found in toothpaste. Clove oil is also attributed to reducing pain in gums and other oral pains like ulcers. It was in a study compared to benzocaine, and the results suggested that it has the ability to act as a topical anaesthetic.
3.Works Against Skin Irritation
Clove oil was tested in a study to check if it has positive effects against chronic itching. Compared to petroleum oil, clove oil significantly reduced the itching. This means it is great for application on the skin if someone has an issue with irritable skin. It is also a great addition for people who like to make their cosmetics at home
4.Fights against Cancer
Clove oil has antioxidants that help fight against free radicals. This helps in reducing the risk of cancer. Also, according to a study, clove oil was tested against a line of breast, cervical, and colon cancer cells, and it was found that clove oil is very effective at killing cancer cells.
