Botanical Overview
Syzygium aromaticum, belonging to the family Myrtaceae, is commonly known as clove. It is native to Indonesia but now cultivated in various tropical regions such as India, East Africa, China, and Madagascar. The parts used medicinally include the dried flower buds (commonly referred to as cloves), essential oil, and leaves.
Energetics
Clove is considered warming and drying with pungent, bitter, and aromatic tastes. It exhibits an ascending directionality and is tonifying in nature, acting primarily on the qi energy.
Primary Actions
- Analgesic
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Carminative
- Local anesthetic
- Expectorant
Indications
Western
- Toothache
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Flatulence
- Respiratory congestion
- Cough
- Oral infections
Syndromes
- Dyspepsia
- Colic
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Oral mucosal inflammation
TCM
- Abdominal cold pain
- Hiccup
- Vomiting
- Arthralgia due to cold
Syndromes
- Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency cold
- Cold invading the middle jiao
Ayurveda
- Digestive bloating
- Toothache
- Halitosis
- Cold and cough
- Loss of appetite
Syndromes
- Kapha and Vata disorders
- Agni (digestive fire) impairment
Unani
- Abdominal pain
- Dyspepsia
- Toothache
- Respiratory congestion
Syndromes
- Su-e-Mizaj (dystemperament) with cold and phlegm predominance
Constituents & Mechanisms
Key phytochemical constituents include eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, flavonoids, tannins, methyl salicylate, and triterpenoids. Eugenol contributes largely to its analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Essential oil diluted for topical use
- Powdered flower buds 0.1–0.5 g orally
- Infusion 1–2 g taken 1–2 times daily
- Tincture (1:5 in 40% ethanol) 2–5 mL taken 1–3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Clove should be used cautiously in pregnancy, particularly avoiding the first trimester, and in individuals with bleeding disorders due to eugenol’s antiplatelet activity. Topical applications may cause allergic reactions. It may interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, increasing bleeding risk.
Astrological Correspondences
Clove is traditionally associated with the planet Mars and the element Fire, reflecting its warming and stimulating properties.
Selected References
- Syzygium aromaticum – Clove Monograph, Plants For A Future
- Syzygium aromaticum (Clove): Quality control, safety and efficacy, WHO 1999
- EMA Assessment report on Syzygium aromaticum essential oil, 2015
- Ayurvedic Monograph on Lavanga (Clove), Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India 2015
- The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to Herbal Medicine, Anne McIntyre 2011