If I ask you about cloves you may come up with the reply that apart from flavor, spicy and pungent taste it does not have any other noteworthy specialty. Wait! If you analyze its characteristics, you would find that it has powerful identifying properties that make it a unique one from the rest. For not only being spicy, but also as Ayurvedic medicines it is gradually gaining popularity. Once people considered it as the most important and valuable product of the world.
Clove
Clove is a bud of flavored flower, not fresh, but a dry one. The height of the plant ranges from eight to 12 meters and green, in color. The leaves of the plants are bigger in size while the flowers are found in groups. Though the bud remains grayish in the earlier stage, but later it changes into the color green. Finally, when the color changes to red, it gets ready for plucking. History states that its birthplace is in one of the islands of Indonesia. Gradually, it spreads itself to the different regions of the world. Now, it enhances the flavor of different dishes cooked with fish, meat, etc. Its usage in the famous Mughal dish, Biryani, is still popular among the masses. Its usage in preparing sweetmeats for the last few years have been significant.
Usage
Scientific studies claim cloves comprise of a chemical product to enhances the taste and flavor of foods around 85 percent. Therefore, only a nominal usage is enough to get the desired result. There is a notion that once in Indonesia it was once used in cigarettes for its spicy flavor. Later, this usage become popular in other parts of the globes like Asia, America and Europe. For its spicy flavor and benefits it is still in use as an ingredient in preparing pans (betel leaves which people chew). Besides, it usage favors in soaps, perfumes, etc., these days for its attractive flavor. Traditionally, it usage as a vital spice is popular in cooking different tasty dishes in the kitchen. As a spice, it has several other important benefits. Generally, spreading over the food after cooking keeps its flavor and benefits for long.
Medicinal properties
Not only as a good spice, but also in medical science, its contribution is equally significant for its unique characteristics. It helps in the proper digestion of foods. Its usage is popular in curing tummy related problems. It helps by increasing the hydrochloric acid in the intestine. Besides, massaging of this oil over the tummy speeds up the digestive process including the digestive enzymes of the body. It controls vomiting and increases blood circulation. Its oil massage relieves one from the problems of muscle pains. Moreover, it helps in the proper functioning of the heart muscles and keeps it healthy. The presence of potassium and magnesium control the blood pressure. Besides, it also has the Vitamin A, to improve the eyesight.
It comes in the rescue during dental problems. Application of its oil on the gum relieves from aches. It also helps in controlling blood sugar, but this theory needs further extensive research. During coughing and cold, one may keep one of two pieces of salted cloves to get instant relief from throat irritation and cough. There are many more benefits of cloves which would surface in the future, but it is true that it helps us in living a healthy and balanced life.