Background: Cloves originated from the Southern Phillipines and the Molluca Islands of Indonesia. Taken from the dried flowers of the clove.
While they are mainly known in the West as a spice, cloves have been used throughout Southeast Asia for thousands of years.
Clove has been used to make bitter herb preparations more palatable for centuries. It has also been a powerful aphrodisiac used in India.
During the reign of the Han dynasty, anyone who planned to address the Chinese Emperor was expected to put cloves in his or her mouth in order to improve bad breath.
While it has roots in Asia, the growth of cloves has extended to Brazil, the West Indies, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
Description: The clove tree is an evergreen tree that grows up to 50 feet. The clove tree is pyramid-shaped and strongly aromatic. Twice each year unopened flower buds can be picked and dried. The dried flower buds are called cloves. Leaves and stems can be used, but the flower buds contain the most essential oil.
Safety: Medicinal amounts of clove should not be used by anyone with a history of cancer because of the unclear affect of eugenol on cell growth. Medicinal amounts of clove should always be used under the supervision of a health care professional.
Powdered clove is considered nontoxic for otherwise healthy people. Stomach upset can be the result of high amounts of cloves. Clove used on the skin may also cause a rash.
