Eugenia caryophyllata and Syzygium aromaticum have both been used as the Latin name for Clove. Clove, an evergreen tree that grows up to 12 meters tall. It is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is native to Zanzibar, Madagascar, Java and Sri Lanka. At the start of the rainy season long buds appear with a rosy-pink corolla at the tip. As the corolla fades, the calyx slowly turns deep red. These are then beaten from the tree and dried.
A pale yellow essential oil with a sweet, spicy aroma is steam distilled from the flower buds. A dark amber liquid with a harsh dry odor is steam distilled from the clove leaf. A pale yellow liquid reminiscent of clove bud oil is steam distilled from the clove stem. Clove buds yield 15 -18% essential oils and consists of 60 – 90% Phenols (eugenol, isoeugenol, aceteugenol)and 5 – 12% Sesquiterpens ( beta-caryophyllene, humulenes).
Clove oil has antihistamine, antiseptic and spasmolytic properties. It has been shown to exhibit broad antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and acid-fast bacteria and fungi. Clove bud oil has traditionally been used in dental care and also as a fragrance component in dentifrices, soaps, detergents, creams, lotions and perfumes. It is also used in the flavoring of many food products. In traditional medicine, cloves have been used as a carminative. Clove tea is used to relieve nausea, and in Chinese medicine clove oil is used for diarrhea and bad breath.
Psychologically, Clove Bud can be used for fatigue as it stimulates mind & memory. It may help with depression and can dispel lethargy and tension.
On the physiological level Clove Bud can be helpful for pulmonary infections. It is useful for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscular aches and pains and can stimulate circulation.
Contraindications: Use in low concentrations on the skin as this oil can cause skin irritations.
Leung and Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, John Wiley & Sons, 1996
Beverley Hawkins Aromatherapy 201 Course 1999 revised 2000…..2010