The word ‘clove’ is from the Latin word for ‘nail’ – clavus. The clove is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia. It is cultivated in Brazil, the West Indies, Mauritius, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka and Zanzibar.

The Chinese have recorded about cloves as early as 400 BC. In 200 BC of courtiers kept cloves in their mouths to avoid offending the emperor while addressing him. Arab traders delivered cloves to the Romans.

Cloves are the immature unopened flower buds of a tropical tree. When fresh, they are pink, dried, they turn to a rust-brown color.

They measure 12 to 16 mm (1/2” to 5/8”) long. They resemble small nails, with a tapering stem. The large end of the clove is the four-pointed flower bud.

Cloves are attributed with several medicinal properties:
1. Clove can cure stomach ulcers, vomiting, flatulence and stimulate the digestive system.
2. It has powerful local antiseptic and mild anesthetic actions.
3. Clove contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that eventually causes cancer.
4. Sucking cloves helps to curb the desire for alcohol .
5. Clove has Anti fungal and anti microbial properties.
6. Is an aphrodisiac.
7. Clove is a mouth freshener and controls tooth aches.