Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil

Clove Bud Essential Oil


BOTANICAL NAME


Syzygium aromaticum

COMMON METHOD OF EXTRACTION
Steam distilled

PARTS USED
Flower buds

NOTE CLASSIFICATION
Middle

AROMA
Warm, spicy, woody, with a slightly fruity top note

TRADITIONAL USE
This oil is usually associated with dental preparations due to its analgesic properties. Clove also has a long history in Chinese medicine.



Clove oil can be used for acne, bruises, burns and cuts, keeping infection at bay and as a pain reliever. It helps with toothache, mouth sores, rheumatism and arthritis.

It is beneficial to the digestive system, effective against vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, spasms and parasites, as well as bad breath.

Clove oil is valuable for relieving respiratory problems, like bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis. The disinfecting property is useful in cases of infectious diseases.

Placing a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and then placing the cotton ball in a linen cupboard will not only fragrance the cupboard, but will help to keep fish moths at bay.

Clove oil is useful for its disinfecting properties, relieving of pain, especially toothache, arthritis and rheumatism. It is effective when used for complaints of the digestion system.

It is also of use for skin problems - especially for skin sores and leg ulcers and as an insect repellent.


 Cloves are used mainly to support healthy digestive function and is thought to relieve digestive upsets, vomiting and nausea.

Oil of Cloves apparently reduces the sensation of bloating and gas pressure within the stomach that frequently troubles people with peptic ulcers and gastroenteritis. Clove is considered a warming herb that improves the assimilation and digestion of foods.

In Ayurvedic medicine, ancient healers used Cloves to heal respiratory ailments. The herb is said to clear excess mucus from the lungs and relieve asthma, coughs and colds.

Long used as a pain reliever, Clove oil is said to possess powerful analgesic properties. Eugenol, its active ingredient, comprises from sixty- to ninety percent of this herb and is thought to be responsible for its pain-killing properties. Oil of Cloves has been used around the world to relieve pain from toothache and dental treatments and remains one of the major pain relieving agents still used by dentists to ease periodontal disease and toothache. Used externally, Oil of Cloves also eases neuralgia and rheumatism.

Clove oil is considered by some to be one of the most powerful germicidal agents in the herbal kingdom. Its antiseptic, antibacterial properties help in the treatment of food poisoning by killing many types of bacteria, including pseudomonas aeruginosa, shigella (all species), staph and strep – all of which may be involved in food poisoning. Its disinfectant properties make it a fine mouthwash, breath freshener and toothpaste ingredient.

Cloves are said to be antiparasitic, and its antimicrobial properties destroy intestinal parasites, thus supporting its traditional use by the chinese in treating diarrhea and intestinal worms.
Reputed to have antiviral and antifungal properties, Clove oil is said to increase the efficacy of "acyclovir," a drug used to treat the viral infections underlying Bell's palsy, chronic fatigue syndrome and herpes. It is also thought to be beneficial in counteracting the fungus that causes athlete's foot.



Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, clove oil can be useful for bronchitis and dizziness and to help lift depression, while strengthening memory and fighting weakness and lethargy.
Massage oil
Clove oil can be used in a blended massage oil to assist with diarrhea, bronchitis, chills, colds, muscular numbness, spasms, rheumatism and arthritis. For toothache the outer jaw can be massaged with this oil.
Use a low dilution of less than 1%.
In cream or lotion
When used in a cream or lotion, the positive effects of clove oil are the same as those of a massage oil and can furthermore help to sort out leg ulcers and skin sores.
Use in low dilution of less than 1%.
Mouthwash
Clove oil can be included at a low rate as part of a mouthwash for toothache.

PROPERTIES
Analgesic, antiaging, antibacterial, anticlotting, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antiviral, carminative, expectorant, insecticide, stimulant

BLENDS WELL WITH
Allspice, basil,  bay, benzoin, bergamot, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, mandarin, palmarosa, rose, sandalwood, vanilla, ylang ylang

OF INTEREST
Clove oil will darken or thicken with age and exposure to air.

A native of Indonesia and the Malacca Islands, it is an evergreen tree that grows to about 10 meters (30 feet) tall and has bright green leaves and nail-shaped rose-peach flower buds which turn, upon drying, a deep red brown. These are beaten from the tree and dried.

The Latin word 'Clavus' means nail shaped, referring to the bud.

It was often used by the Greeks, Roman and the Chinese, to ease toothache and as a breath sweetener, especially when talking to the Emperor. It has antiseptic properties and was used in the prevention of contagious diseases, such as the Plaque.

It was an important commodity in the spice trade and is still used in perfumes, mulled wines and liqueurs, love potions, dental products and, stuck in an orange as pomade, an insect repellant.








SAFETY DATA
Avoid while pregnant and in liver and kidney conditions. May cause skin irritation.