Cloves- Planet: Sun/Jupiter Element: Fire Main magickal uses: clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, keeps away negative forces, love, memory, money, passion, peace of mind, protection, psychic protection, purification, stopping gossip Other magickal uses: cleansing, friendship, psychic development, release, spell-breaking Lore: Cloves were originally grown in China, and made their way to Europe in the fourth centure CE (Common Era). They, like cinnamon, are not grown in the United States, but are imported.
Parts used
The dried flower buds (Caryophylli floss) are used for medicinal and culinary purposes and an essential oil is also distilled.
Properties
Cloves are a spicy, warming herb that relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, improve digestion, protect against internal parasites, cause uterine contractions and are strongly antiseptic.
They contain flavonoids, galloytannins, phenolic acids and triterpenes, while the oil contains eugenol, eugenyl acetate and b-caryophyllene.
The eugenol contained inhibits prostaglandin formation, which explains the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, but the herb has further antiseptic, antispasmodic and carminative properties.
Therapeutic uses
* Internal use
o It is used for digestive problems, helping the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract to relax.
o Cloves also kill intestinal parasites and act as an antimicrobial agent against fungi and bacteria.
o It has also been suggested that cloves have an antihistamine action as well.
o In Chinese medicine it is used for nausea, vomiting, impotence as well as hiccups.
o In folk medicine a clove is placed on the gum where toothache is present, and although it is effective, should not be done too much for too long.
* External use
o Cloves are used for toothache, in dental hygiene, and to treat insect bites.
o It is also used to help with rheumatism, as well as myalgia. The essential oil has good insect repellant properties.
* Aromatherapy and essential oil use
o It has a stimulating effect on the mind while its antiseptic properties are helpful to prevent viral infections. The oil is useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis and although not used in skin care, has a positive effect on skin sores and ulcers.
o A very small amount of clove oil can be applied to the affected area in cases of toothache.
o It has analgesic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, stomachic and uterine properties.
