What Would Happen If You Chewed ONE Clove Daily

There’s something magical about the aroma of cloves. It instantly evokes warmth, spice, and a touch of the exotic. But clove health benefits extend far beyond their delightful scent.

This tiny spice, Syzygium aromaticum, packs a potent punch. It offers a surprising array of health-boosting properties, from soothing toothaches to potentially supporting blood sugar control.

Cloves, derived from the flower buds of the clove tree, have been treasured for centuries. Their uses range from culinary delights to medicinal remedies.

With a rich history in traditional medicine, modern science is now uncovering just how powerful this unassuming spice can be.

Exploring Clove Health Benefits

Cloves, the dried flower buds of the clove tree, have been used for centuries in both culinary and medicinal practices. Their distinctive flavor comes from eugenol.

This compound is responsible for many of its therapeutic effects.

Clove for Pain Relief

Most people associate cloves with toothache relief and for a good reason. Eugenol acts as a natural anesthetic, numbing pain and reducing inflammation. This makes cloves a go-to remedy for dental discomfort.

• Toothaches: Apply diluted clove oil on the affected area for quick relief. You can also chew a whole clove near the sore tooth for a milder effect.
  
  

• Headaches: Clove oil mixed with carrier oil (like coconut or almond oil) can be massaged onto the temples for headache relief.

Its pain-relieving properties are not limited to oral health. Clove’s anti-inflammatory action also makes it effective for soothing muscle aches and joint pain.

Anti-inflammatory Powerhouse

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases, including arthritis and cardiovascular issues.

Cloves offer potent anti-inflammatory effects that may help combat these conditions.

• Eugenol’s Effect: Studies suggest that eugenol can reduce inflammation markers and improve symptoms of arthritis in animal models. While more human studies are needed, initial results are promising.
  
  

• Joint Pain Relief: A warm compress with clove oil may provide temporary relief from sore or stiff joints.

Antioxidant Boost for Overall Wellness

Cloves are a rich source of antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. This protective effect is crucial for reducing oxidative stress, a factor in aging and many chronic diseases.

• Cellular Protection: Antioxidants in cloves help protect cells from damage, slowing the aging process and reducing the risk of diseases like cancer.
  
  

• ORAC Scale: Cloves have one of the highest scores on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale, outperforming superfoods like blueberries in antioxidant power.
  
  

Regular consumption of cloves can support overall health by boosting your body’s natural defenses.

Digestive Support

Feeling bloated or gassy? Cloves might help. They stimulate digestive enzyme production, which may ease these symptoms.

There is some evidence that cloves help reduce nausea and vomiting based on lab animal research.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Early research suggests another potential benefit of cloves: better blood glucose and blood sugar level regulation.

This could be good news for those with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes. While one rat study showed improvement, similar human studies are needed.

Clove extract assisted insulin functionality. It also helped reduce fat mass and other factors in animal studies. Cloves may offer similar benefits to people with similar health markers to these lab animals.

More research is needed before recommending clove supplements for blood sugar regulation.

The Many Ways to Enjoy Cloves

Curious about how to incorporate cloves into your routine? Here are a few ways:

• Whole cloves: Chew on one clove bud a day (but be mindful of potential tooth sensitivity).
  
  

• Ground cloves: Add small amounts to your coffee, tea, smoothies, or baked goods. Start with 1/4 teaspoon or less, as the flavor is strong. They add a delicious kick to food products like pumpkin pie or worcestershire sauce.
  
  

• Clove oil: Dilute a few drops of clove essential oil in a carrier oil and use topically for muscle pain relief. Do not ingest clove oil by mouth.

Conclusion

Clove's health benefits are numerous and impressive. From pain relief to improved digestion and blood sugar regulation, cloves are a powerhouse of natural wellness.

Adding cloves to your daily routine—whether as a spice in your cooking or as a soothing tea—can enhance your health in meaningful ways.

As with any health remedy, it’s important to use cloves in moderation and consult your healthcare provider if you have existing conditions or concerns.

With its rich history and promising benefits, cloves are a simple yet powerful way to boost your well-being naturally.

FAQs about Clove Health Benefits

What are the health benefits of clove?

Cloves offer a range of potential health benefits. These include pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant protection, digestive support, and possible blood sugar regulation.

What does drinking boiled cloves do?

Drinking clove tea, made by boiling cloves in water, may ease digestive issues and soothe a sore throat.

Be careful not to burn yourself when handling boiled cloves. Clove tea has been used for centuries and provides soothing benefits similar to traditional remedies like easing a toothache.

Is eating raw cloves good for you?

Chewing on a few raw cloves is fine in moderation. However, due to their potent nature, excessive consumption of ground cloves or clove buds can cause stomach upset or mouth/throat irritation.

Limit clove consumption during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Excessive clove intake may interfere with some prescription medications or worsen pre-existing health conditions.

Eating cloves may be harmful in larger amounts due to a compound in them called eugenol.

What are the side effects of cloves?

Cloves are generally safe for most people in small amounts. Some potential side effects include allergic reactions, mouth sensitivity, and skin irritation (if clove essential oil isn’t diluted).

Other possible side effects of excessive consumption include drug interactions (especially with blood thinners) and liver damage with extremely high doses.

Talk to your healthcare provider before including large quantities of cloves in your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or have had liver injury.

Children should never swallow whole cloves or clove oil because clove can cause choking and difficulty breathing or may lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Be careful, while clove essential oil has health benefits, the oil can be toxic.