A native of Indonesia and the Malacca Islands. 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.
Description of Clove bud essential
oil:
A slender evergreen with a smooth gray trunk, up to 12 meters high. It has
large bright green leaves on short stalks. At the start of the rainy season
long buds appear that have a rosy-pink corolla at the tip. As the corolla
fades the calyx turns deep red and then provide the cloves. Clove bud oil
has a sweet, rich, warm, spicy and penetrating aroma with a fruity top note
and a woody base note. Clove bud oil lifts depression and is recommended as
an inhalation when feeling weak and lethargic. It's excellent as an
antiseptic because of the high proportion of eugenol.
Appearance: Clear liquid
Aroma : Spicy, warming yet slightly bitter, woody,
reminiscent of true clove buds but richer
Color Light Golden Yellow
Chemical constituents: Clove bud oil has various chemical
compounds that include Eugenol, eugenyl acetate and caryophyllene.
Extraction:It is extracted by steam distillation of buds.
Clove bud oil Therapeutic Effects:
The essential oil is an antiseptic and stimulating oil used in mouthwashes
and for gargling. Comforting rubbed onto gums, traditionally used to relieve
toothache. Its antibiotic and antiviral properties make it a natural
infection fighter. It proves to be very useful in the treatment of
arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, sprains, strains and toothache.
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.
Aromatherapy uses :
It acts like antiseptic ,antihistamine, antioxidant, aphrodisiac,
antifungal, anti-viral, powerful bactericidal-large spectrum, antiparasitic,
anthelmintic, antiemetic, expectorant, cicatrizant, spasmolytic, splenetic,
stimulant (general, digestive, sexual) and tonic(nervous, hypertensive).
Pharmaceutical uses :
In ancient Persia, clove was used in love potions. In Chinese medicine, it
is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties and used for
diarrhea, hernias, bad breath, bronchitis, skin infections and to ease the
pain of childbirth. Ayurvedic medicine uses clove to treat fevers,
respiratory, and digestive complaints. As a folk remedy, it was used for
headaches when mixed with apple cider vinegar. Clove oil was also used to
disinfect large places like theaters.
Flavor and fragrance
Clove oil is also made from the leaves and stems of the tree and is not
considered aromatherapy grade, as it is harsher. Clove leaf oil is mainly
manufactured for the extraction of phenol eugenol. Clove stem oil is used by
the perfume industry, as it is cheaper and has more eugenol than clove bud.
Because of this, it is not considered therapy grade. Clove bud oil is used
as an ingredient in food, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. It is also
used in the production of printing ink, glue, and varnish. Clove is reported
to stop nicotine addiction.
Incence and candle:
Clove oil is also used in making Emu essential oils and as carrier oils.
Used along with blending other essential oils for making candles. Also used
as bee-wax emulsifiers, orange peel wax, cocoa butter, stearic acid. It is a
very good stabilising agent.
