Clove

Species: Syzygium aromaticum

Family: Myrtaceae

Related Genera: Eucalyptus, Myrtus, Pimenta

Names: Clove, Gewürznelken

History & Folklore: Cloves are the flower buds of a tropical, evergreen tree, native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia and the Southern Philippines. They were introduced to Europe by Marco Polo.

The name derives from Latin clavus, a nail, as the buds vaguely resemble small irregular nails. The Clove was once one of the world's most valuable and expensive commodities and provided an impetus for the Dutch colonialisation of Indonesia. In Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries, cloves were worth at least their weight in gold, due to the high price of importing them.

In early modern times Cloves were burnt in large amounts to help ward off the pest. They were also burnt together with Olibanum to attract wealth, cleanse and dispell negative energies and specifically to stop the spreading of rumours. Likewise Cloves (called clavos) are part of Mexican sahumerios, protective fumigations. Clove powder is often used as an aromatic ingredient in Indian, Tibetan and Japanese incense sticks and other traditional incense powders, e.g. when blended with Aloeswood, Elemi, Styrax, Benzoe and Olibanum. Such incense would repel evil spirits as well as bugs. Cloves are also a traditional ant repellent.

At the Chinese Imperial Court Cloves were chewn to freshen the breath and to enable consumption of large amounts of wine.

Common Uses: Cloves are used as a spice in cuisines all over the world. Cloves are also part of a cigarette called kretek in Indonesia. Kreteks have been smoked throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. In 2009, clove cigarettes (as well as fruit and candy flavored cigarettes) were outlawed in the US.

Medicinal & Toxicological: Cloves act anti-oxidant, carminative, digestive and antihelmintic. Clove oil is traditionally used against toothache. Its main agent is eugenol. The oil acts antiseptic and analgetic as well as warming and stimulating, e.g. it is sometimes rubbed on hypotonic muscles. Clove is further believed to strengthen the arteries and heal the liver and is also considered a mild aphrodisiac.

Sources: "Räucherstoffe, Der Atem des Drachen" by Christian Rätsch (ISBN-13 978-3038003021), Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German, Alchemy Works