Scientific name
Eugenia caryophyllus C. Spreng, syn. Eugenia caryophyllata ThumbergFamily
MyrtaceaeOrigin
Moluccas Islands, Madagascar, Indonesia, ZanzibarParts Used
The dried flower buds of the plant are used (Pharmacopoeia)Chemical constituents
- Tannins;
- Flavonoids;
- Polyphenols;
- Essential oil, consisting of 90% eugenol.
Cloves in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Cloves
Cloves are commonly used as a spice in cooking and for disinfectant and anti-inflammatory decoctions.
Clove essential oil, which was used by the Egyptians to embalm corpses, has a high antimicrobial power against fungi and bacteria, anti-inflammatory and analgesic: in fact, it can be used in alcoholic solutions for gargle and for oral intake, in capsules , creams and vaginal suppositories.
