Clove is not only a famous spice. These fragrant flowers of clove possess many healing properties that are successfully used in traditional and traditional medicine. It is worth buying whole clove buds, as a rule, ground spice is inferior in quality. Crushed spice loses flavor faster, so grinding the buds is best just before cooking.
Unusual spice
First, the clove has antiseptic properties, so many housewives use spice exclusively for canning. Spice can increase the shelf life of any product, so it is impossible to imagine marinating without cloves.
Secondly, besides salting vegetables, it will help soften the meat and will not let the fish boil out quickly. The use of this spice will reduce the cooking time, which means that vitamins will be preserved in the product better.
Thirdly, cloves can be used to make hot flavored drinks. For example, mulled wine or tea. It is easy to create a cozy festive atmosphere with it, if you stick the buds in an orange or bake cookies with the addition of this spice.
What is useful cloves
Clove is not only a delicious seasoning for different dishes, but also an excellent antiseptic. And if there are a lot of sick people around, the scent of clove oil will help not to get infected. For those who have already caught a cold, they will ease the symptoms of a cold and will shorten the time of illness by a third. In addition, the clove relieves toothache, facilitates breathing in diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The main advantage of spices is a large amount of antioxidants. These substances reduce the effect of free radicals, which cause oxidative processes in the body, provoking both early aging of the skin, and the development of diabetes and cancer.
Fragrant carnation buds:
- Indispensable for typical symptoms of a cold: runny nose, sore throat (substances contained in spices can mobilize the body’s internal forces, increase blood circulation and speed recovery).
- They will help to lose weight, as the spice activates the metabolism and improves the processes of digestion.
- Reduce the risk of cancer. Clove antioxidants actively block the oxidative processes leading to the development of oncology.
The composition and therapeutic properties of cloves
There are many vitamins in spices C, A, PP, group B. It is a natural remedy for treating colds and asthma. Clove removes excess fluid from the body, is rich in iron, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, and all these elements are very good for the heart.
Chemical composition:
- essential oils;
- tannins;
- cellulose;
- vitamins B1, B2, A, C, PP;
- iron salts, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus.
Energy and nutritional value in 100 grams of dried flowers:
- 320 kilocalories;
- 6 g of proteins;
- 20 g of fat;
- 27 g of carbohydrates.
In small buds of a carnation the set of biologically active components contains. The most valuable element is antioxidants that can reduce the risk of developing oncology. Antioxidants can help maintain healthy skin, prevent wrinkles and acne.
The use of cloves in traditional and traditional medicine
Cloves, in addition to its taste, has also healing properties. It is an excellent antiseptic, an excellent anesthetic, antiviral and diuretic. For medicinal purposes, the spice is applied in the form of butter, whole or ground into powder.
For the prevention of colds, the doctor may recommend anti-cold ointments or balms with cloves, so as not to get sick or recover faster. For those who have a stuffy nose, a strong cough, steam inhalation with clove oil will help. To obtain a therapeutic effect, it is enough to add a few drops of oil to the boiling water.
Clove has long been successfully used in traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated diseases. With a dry cough, you can chew dried clove bud. In many cases, it effectively reduces the intensity of coughing, replacing pharmacy syrups.
When the first symptoms of angina appear, you need to take milk with a clove. To do this, rub five dry buds, pour 250 ml of hot milk, cool. Drink as usual milk to enhance the effect, it is better to delay for a long time every sip of milk in the mouth.
If the cold is accompanied by a severe runny nose, headache, traditional medicine recommends making a pill from cloves. Dilute a teaspoon of mashed spice in warm water (a teaspoon) until smooth, apply a “pill” for 10 minutes to the temples, forehead, maxillary sinuses.
How to Cook and Use Essential Clove Oil
All useful properties, taste qualities of spices are stored in oil. To prepare it, combine 100 ml of olive oil and a tablespoon of clove flowers, send it to a fire, as soon as the oil boils, you need to turn it off. Prepack cooled clove oil in clean glass bottles. Store on the shelf of the refrigerator, use if necessary.
How to use
Oil will bring many benefits to the cold season. Steam inhalations with it will relieve quickly from cough, runny nose, nasal congestion. To reduce toothache, you need to moisten a cotton pad with oil, then attach it to the aching tooth. Relief comes quickly.
Clove oil is recommended to add to the massage cream. This mixture effectively relieves joint pain. Oil helps with skin infections, acne, promotes early healing of wounds and stimulates cell regeneration. To do this, apply to the affected skin a bandage moistened with oil.
The aroma of cloves is an excellent stress reliever. If you no longer have the strength to hold back emotions, you need to put a drop of clove oil on your palm, rub your hands so that they can warm up. Then bring the palms to the nose, take two or three deep breaths.
It is interesting to know that clove oil is actively used in the cosmetic industry, adding it to nourishing creams, toilet water and balsams.
What is useful tea with cloves
Clove tea contains many antioxidants, has a mild flavor. Drinking freshly brewed tea with spices is very useful. A quick variant of its preparation is to throw 2-3 buds in the teapot. Awesome aroma and many benefits guaranteed. This spice is perfectly combined with cinnamon, ginger. With them tea will turn out even tastier and healthier.
Regular intake of tea with spice will help the body resist a cold. Moreover, the consumption of the drink will not only significantly reduce the risk of catching a cold, but also help when it was not possible to avoid the disease. Scientists have proven that this spice prevents the reproduction of viruses that provoke the development of a cold, so recovery is faster.
This information is taken up by official medicine. Most recently, Moscow’s anti-epidemic service strongly recommended the use of dry spices, including cloves, to prevent colds and flu.
How to make fragrant tea
Using a clove during the cold season will help one of the easiest and most effective ways - you need to make fragrant tea with it.
It will take:
- 3 glasses of water;
- 1 teaspoon black tea;
- 4 dry cloves;
- 2 pinch ground cinnamon.
Cooking:
A few minutes to boil water with clove buds, then add cinnamon, brew, infuse tea for 3-4 minutes. To taste add sugar or natural honey. Drink healthy tea three times a day in small sips.
Cooking Application
Cloves are often used in canning. It is a permanent component of marinades and sauces. Vegetable, mushroom or meat marinades, it gives a spicy aroma and taste. Ensures the preservation of pickles during storage. This spice is part of almost all pastry baking.
Spice does not tolerate long cooking, so long boiling will deprive the clove of the flavor, and the dish may have a bitter taste.
Possible side effects and contraindications
Enough to drink drinks, eat confectionery with cloves 2 times a week. You should not get carried away, any product has contraindications and side effects. Reckless use leads to dangerous complications. The reason most often is in existing diseases, but healthy people also need to take some caution.
Contraindications:
- age up to 2 years;
- coronary heart disease;
- gastritis with high acidity;
- pregnancy.
Basically, clove buds are very beneficial for the body - hardly anyone would argue with that. Natural medicine relieves nervous tension, soothes perfectly, has a beneficial effect on the immune system, helps with colds.
