Explore the health benefits of cloves, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-boosting properties.
But the benefits of cloves dont end there.
Heres why you should give cloves a try.
11 key benefits of cloves
1.
Fortunately, cloves check the box in this department.
For a spice, cloves have an impressive amount of fiber, says dietitianAmy Gorin, RDN.
registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition
One teaspoon of cloves provides close to a gram of fiber.
Clove oil has been investigated as anantibacterial agent1, per preliminary research, Gorin says.
In fact, one study found that clove oil can help relieve tooth paincaused by dry socket.
Cloves have anti-inflammatory properties
Another main benefit of cloves is their anti-inflammatory properties.
Past studies have indicated that the eugenol in cloves could helpreduce the bodys inflammatory response.
To do so, she recommends chewing on the cloves directly (but not swallowing them).
you’re able to also brew them into tea and serve them with honey.
Pro tip: Poon suggests adding manuka honey for added antibacterial and antiviral benefits.
Cloves may support skin health
Cloves as skincare?
registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition
You heard that right.
According to Poon, topical applications of clove oil may support skin health too.
Cloves also possess antibacterial properties, which can make them useful for treating acne resulting from bacteria.
To reap the benefits, she recommends brewing a tea with cloves and ginger.
Then sip and enjoy.
Additionally, it can help decrease gas while improving the rate of digestion, Shapiro says.
Basically, moderation is everything when it comes to cloves.
Do cloves have side effects?
There can be potential risks to consuming larger amounts of cloves, Gorin says.
Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid taking clove oil or clove in medicinal doses.
In children, clove oil may cause seizures, liver damage, or fluid imbalances.
Those taking certain medications should also be wary of introducing cloves into their routines.
As such, less can, in fact, be more.
What are cloves good for when it comes to the kitchen (and elsewhere)?
Now that youre up-to-date on all the benefits and risks of cloves, youre probably thinking: Sounds great!
Buthowdo I actually use cloves?
Ahead, find some creative ideas to get you started.
8 creative ways to use cloves
1.
But if youre not so much of a tea drinker,coffee with spicesis a heavenly combination, too.
Add cloves to your smoothies
One quick way to add flavor to your smoothie is with cloves.
Use cloves in your baked goods
Adding cloves to your baked goods instantly amps up the cozy vibes.
Most fall baking spice mixeslike apple and pumpkincontain cloves.
These balls release a natural, invigorating scent that can uplift your space and energy, she says.
To make it, youll need an orange and a bag of whole cloves.
Stick the cloves into your orange, one by one, she says.
Then, you could either fill the entire outside of the orange or create a fun design.
The choice is yours.
Dress up desserts with clove syrup
Yes, clove syrup is also a thing.
Yes, yes, and yes.
This clove-infused herbal tincture can help relieve digestion:
Hu, Qiao et al.
Progress on the Antimicrobial Activity Research of Clove Oil and Eugenol in the Food Antisepsis Field.Journal of food sciencevol.
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