Clove: More Than Just a Spice

Most of us know cloves as the 'spices' blessed on Motzei Shabbat. Sometimes it is used as a tasty spice or as part of Indian chai masala. But does it also have health benefits? The answer is yes. It contains a high amount of dietary fibers, as well as a high amount of various vitamins, primarily B vitamins. It contains a very high amount of vitamin C, vitamin E, and even a very high amount of minerals, such as iron, a very high amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and more. Cloves are also a source of a less familiar mineral - manganese. So much so that in one teaspoon of clove, there is about 33% of the daily recommended amount of manganese. Manganese is very essential for brain and nervous system functions. It helps in coping with Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, Parkinson's, and more. Manganese has many roles, such as playing a crucial role in the creation of thyroxine - a thyroid gland hormone. It's essential in the creation of melanin - the fatty substance wrapping the nerve cells. In its deficiency, a person may experience memory loss, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, schizophrenia, and more. Manganese can also be found in root vegetables, nuts such as walnuts (interestingly, the shape of a walnut resembles a brain) avocado (very rich), and more.

Cloves can also help soothe pain, especially gum and tooth pain, thanks to an antioxidant called 'eugenol' found in them. You can even chew the cloves. Chewing clove grains also helps to eliminate bad breath. Cloves can help with various digestive disorders, such as gas, nausea, and vomiting. Cloves have strong antiseptic properties and are therefore effective in treating various infections, mainly fungi like candida. Cloves can also reduce the level of sugars and fats in the blood.

The antioxidant previously mentioned – eugenol along with another antioxidant isoeugenol, grants cloves another property – anti-inflammatory effects. These properties impact the prevention of cancer cell development by slowing the ability of cells to divide. Especially in the cold winter, it's pleasant to drink a warm infusion containing cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper or ginger. These plants have a warming nature, which strengthens the body's warmth on a cold morning. Those suffering from ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome should avoid consuming cloves as they increase gastric acid secretion (hydrochloric acid), which can intensify pain and worsen the ulcer.

Eliahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist