Benefits of Clove
Posted by Molly McConnell on 09-11-2024
What are Cloves Good For?
Clove is a potent spice with many potential benefits. It is commonly used to help aid sluggish digestion, promote metabolism of sugars, relieve stagnation throughout the body, while also supporting oral health and comfort. It is said to bring clarity and invigoration.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Clove
Clove, also called Lavangaha in Sanskrit, has been a staple spice in the Ayurvedic paradigm for thousands of years. Ayurveda is the ancient healing science of India with more than 5,000 years of case studies proving its efficacy. According to this system, wellness grows when we orient toward balanced living and align ourselves with the rhythms of nature. The Ayurvedic approach focuses on diet, daily routine, and herbs to prevent and alleviate common wellness challenges.
With a deep commitment to understanding how various herbs impact the body and mind, Ayurveda has developed a system for determining the unique qualities that different medicinal plants offer us. Within this system, clove is considered to be light, sharp and unctuous. These are qualities that gently stoke digestive fire, causing a stimulating effect that may aid digestion especially when it comes to sugary foods and sweet treats. The sharpness of clove also helps promote clarity of the bodily channels by relieving blockages in the lungs, sinus and even the mind.
Clove exhibits pungent and bitter tastes. Ayurvedically speaking, the pungent taste is typically believed to activate warmth and the flow of energy. The bitter taste, on the other hand, is believed to promote cleansing (especially of the liver), dry up excess moisture, enhance mental focus, and even bring about insightfulness. With these energies in mind, clove is often used to enliven, energize and reduce stagnation.
With its warming nature, clove is most supportive for imbalances related to kapha dosha (brain fog, congestion, etc.), and vata dosha (gas, bloating, aches), though it can also be beneficial for pitta constitutions when used in moderation. Clove is uniquely classified as a cooling pungent, which basically means that it warms you up initially and then brings a cooling energy to the post-digestive experience.
Clove Health Benefits
#1 Oral Health
Not only is clove associated with stimulating fresh breath, but it is also commonly used in natural mouthwashes to help ward off bad bacteria and promote healthy gums.
#2 Digestive Strength
With its gentle heating nature, clove may help reduce stagnation and sluggish digestion.
#3 May Help Support Blood Sugar
A 2009 study found that, “supplementation with cloves significantly reduced blood sugar increases and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats and restored the antioxidant enzyme levels” in diabetic rats.*
*Shukri, Radhiah, Suhaila Mohamed, and Noordin Mohamed Mustapha. "Cloves protect the heart, liver and lens of diabetic rats." Food chemistry 122.4 (2010): 1116-1121.
Best Way to Consume Cloves
Clove powder makes a wonderful addition to sweet treats and baked goods, especially in the fall! Whole cloves can easily be added to seasonal soups, sweet or savory porridges, stewed fruits and spiced teas to evoke a warm and cozy feeling. Whether you’re using organic whole cloves or ground cloves, this potent spice is sure to enliven any culinary creation.
Best Time to Take Cloves
The best time to take cloves is between 6:00 am and 10:00 am, to counter the slow, sluggish energy that is present during the kapha time of the morning. Cloves are also great to have on hand during moments of seasonal challenges.
Side Effects of Taking Cloves
If taken in excess, cloves may increase pitta dosha. This can show up as heat, redness or irritability. When used for culinary purposes, the heating properties of clove are almost always balanced by the cooling properties of another ingredient, making it very unlikely to aggravate your internal fire element (pitta dosha). Generally speaking, Ayurveda always recommends pairing herbs in combination with those that bring about balance and synergy. Rarely is one herb recommended all on its own.
Where to Buy Cloves
Order your whole cloves and ground cloves directly from Starwest Botanicals, where we’re committed unwaveringly to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and supporting our communities from seed to shelf.
At Starwest Botanicals, we have a variety of different forms of clove available for purchase for personal care and available in bulk at wholesale pricing for businesses.
Start your search for organic cloves with Starwest Botanicals at www.starwest-botanicals.com to find:
- Cloves (organic)
- Cloves Powder (organic)
- Clove Bud Essential Oil (organic)
- Curry Powder Organic
- Sweet Curry Powder Organic
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (organic)
- Chai Tea (organic)
At Starwest, we offer an extensive, diverse, and carefully curated selection of premium-quality botanicals, organic herbs, delicious spices, tantalizing teas, and 100% pure essential oils. If you are passionate about highest quality ingredients and all the standards — from USDA Organic, to Non-GMO, Fairtrade, and more — you are in the right place.
Nature is filled with possibilities for wellness, discovery, and adventure — let’s explore together!
Bio
Molly McConnell is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner who is committed to cultivating collective wellness. Guided by curiosity, embodied listening, and the rhythms of nature, Molly’s approach to Ayurveda is intentional and intersectional. As the cofounder ofCultivate Balance, she supports purpose-oriented people to come home to their bodies and restore resilience through nourishment, ritual, and routine. For a more immersive experience,Connect with Molly 1:1 or check outThe Reset for Resilience.
Instagram/Tiktok
Website
