Inner Thought

Clove (Lavang) For Health

Lavang or Clove  for health are full of minerals, vitamins and fiber but the main element eugenol makes cloves very powerful for increasing immunity. Eugenol has been proven effective against many harmful bacteria and viruses and also is effective in fighting fungus’s. Cloves contain high amounts of antioxidants, which support the immune system with fight against oxidative damage. 

Table of Content

1) What Is Clove (Lavang) ?

2) Benefits of  Clove (Lavang)  For Health

3) Clove (Lavang) Nutrition

4) Clove (Lavang) Uses

5) Clove (Lavang) Side Effects

 

What Is Clove (Lavang) ?

Cloves (Lavang) are the unopened flower bud of the evergreen clove tree  known as Syzygium aromaticum.

Lavang or Laung or Cloves are dark, blackish-brown in color and shaped like a nail and due to its shape, it is known as clove, derived from the Latin word clavus which means nail.

Eugenol is cloves’ most active compound residing within its essential oil and is a big reason for its aroma and flavour. 

Benefits of Clove (Lavang) For Health

1) Clove (Lavang) help Immune Boosting 

• Ayurvedic medicine uses cloves extensively to boost immune system. The oil within this “nail shaped” flower bud contains polyphenols that can increase white blood cell count, resulting in stronger immune response against bacterial and viral infections.
• Cloves or Lavangs are filled with powerful antioxidants that help fight free radical damage and boost our immunity.
• Test-tube study found that eugenol stopped oxidative damage caused by free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant .
• Eugenol has the ability to fight against infections and disease-causing bacteria in the body.
• Study published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology which claims that consuming whole cloves can help boost the immune system.

 

2) Clove (Lavang) has Anti-inflammatory properties

• Cloves or Lavangs are enriched with antiseptic, antiviral and antimicrobial properties. The anti-inflammatory compounds help heal sore throats, cold ,cough and headache, reduces throat inflammation and helps to get rid of mucus.
• According to a study published in the journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, black peppercorn has antioxidant, antimicrobial and gastro-protective properties that help in building our immunity stronger.

 

3) Clove (Lavang) Reduce toothache

• clove is excellent or popular remedy for treating toothache, this is due to it’s wonderful anti bacterial, analgesic and anti inflammatory properties. People used clove to eliminate the discomfort or toothache by placing it above the annoying tooth.
• Clove or Lavang is Known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-septic properties.
• Cloves have several health benefits and are used to treat many disease.

 

4) Clove (Lavang) has Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties

• Cloves or Lavangs  have antimicrobial properties thus stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria.
• One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria along with E. coli bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
• The high amounts of eugenol, a compound with both anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, help to deal with infections ,reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
• Cloves also contain kaempferol and rhamnetin, flavonoids that share the same properties as eugenol.
• According to the Department of Periodontics at the KU Leuven University in Belgium, this natural mouthwash can improve gum health and reduce the amount of bacteria and plaque in the mouth after using it for only 21 days.

 

5) Clove (Lavang) promotes digestion

• Cloves or Lavang increase the secretion of digestive enzymes thus encourage the creation of gastric acids, which help in better digestion of food, treat indigestion and upper abdominal pain, cure upset stomach, reduce discomfort.
• Cloves nurture digestive health and prevent constipation due to filled with fibre.
• The best method to consume clove is powder form or with honey-roasted.

 

6) Clove (Lavang) Improves liver function

The eugenol present in clove oil improves liver function which is responsible for detoxifying and metabolizing process.

 

7) Clove (Lavang) make strong bones and joints

• Cloves or Lavang contain ingredients like flavonoids, manganese, and eugenol that make bone and joint strong.
• These substances increase bone density, help in creation of bone tissue and transport healthy minerals to our bones.

 

8) Clove (Lavang) Lower blood sugar

• Cloves act like insulin thus lower blood sugar in diabetic patients.
• It export the excess sugar from blood into cells and therefore restoring the balance of glucose.

 

9) Clove (Lavang) has powerful Antioxidants

• According to Bio Source Naturals, ‘Antioxidants offer powerful, effective protection for your body and cells against their oxidative stress, by blunting the damaging effects of free radicals’. 
• Study found that due to powerful antioxidant capacity it boost the immune system function and fight off free radicals.
• Cloves are fond of great dietary source polyphenols.
• Polyphenols are micronutrients that we absorb when we eat plants, and have great benefits to our body like lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve the function and flexibility of the arteries, and increase longevity.

 

10) Clove (Lavang) Act as Expectorant

• Cloves or lavangs helps to thins and loosens phlegm, breaking up the congestion and clearing the phlegm from the airways. This makes it easier to expel phlegm via coughing.
• It helps to bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. 
• The high Eugenol content of cloves has been proven to fight against liver disease as well as against inflammation. 

 

11) Clove (Lavang) Treat Stomach Ulcers

• Studies of animal shows cloves restrict the production of gastric mucus and prevent erosion of the stomach lining from digestive acids.
• Another animal study shows clove extract helpful in treating stomach ulcers and several anti-ulcer medications.

 

Clove (Lavang) Nutrition

Clove (Lavang) buds contain very good amounts of vitamin A and beta-carotene levels. It is good source of vitamin-K, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), vitamin-C and riboflavin. This food is very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Calcium and Iron, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber.

Uses of  Clove (Lavang)

1)As an insect repellent 

Cloves is a wonderful insect repellent and clove extract can be used as a safe natural insect repellent in the house. To make insect repellent, take 2 to 3 cloves and pound it a mortar and pestle along with a handful of neem leaves. Now boil a cup of water and add the pounded ingredients to it. Once the color of the water changes, switch off, let cool and strain. Use this mixture as an insect repellent.

2)For aiding weight loss & digestion related problems

Take 2 small cloves, 1/4 tsp of cumin seeds along with a pinch of Himalayan salt and boil along with a cup of water till it reduces in half and strain. You can have a cup of this mixture weekly twice or thrice. This mixture also will helps treat all digestion related problems really really well.

3)For toothache

Put 2-4 drops of Clove oil onto a cotton ball. Now place this cotton ball on the affected area and keep it for 30-40 minutes. Repeat 1-2 times a day to get relief from toothache.

4)For pimples

Mix 2-5 drops of Clove oil with 1 teaspoon water. Apply on the affected areas with the help of a cotton swab before going to bed at night. Wash with lukewarm water in the morning to manage painful pimples. or 

Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Clove powder. Mix it with honey and apply on the skin. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water. Repeat once a week to control pimples

5)for reducing arthritic pain and inflammation

Clove oil mixed along with a base oil is used 

6)Cloves are traditionally used in India as a mouth freshener. It is used to make chai, which is a mixture of tea, spices, and milk.

7)In manufacturing, clove is used in toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and cigarettes. In foods and beverages, clove is used as a flavoring. Perfumes use cloves for the aroma and clove oil is sold for use as an essential oil. Clove and clove oil are used for intestinal gas, nausea, and vomiting.

How To Make Clove Tea for Immune Boosting

Take 1 tsp of cloves ,1 small bark of cinnamon,½ teaspoon of ginger powder, 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon honey(optional)

Take a vessel, pour a cup of water and bring it to boil. Now add clove, cinnamon and ginger powder to the water and boil it for 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat. Strain the tea , add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten the tea if wants and enjoy the immune boosting spices tea.

Clove (Lavang) Side Effects

1. Increases Bleeding

Overconsumption of clove can thin out blood and increase the risk of bleeding. The spice contains a chemical named ‘eugenol’, which being a blood-thinning agent, can decelerate the process of blood clotting, promoting abnormal bleeding.

It is advised that you stay away from eating too much of clove while suffering from bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, or taking drugs with anticoagulants. 

2. Lowers Sugar Level In The Blood

Those who have lower than normal blood sugar level should reduce their consumption of clove immediately. It has been found that the herb can decrease the amount of glucose in our bloodstream significantly, which might be extremely harmful for hypoglycemia patients. Therefore, adjust clove intake accordingly your sugar medicine or dosage.

3. Toxicity

Clove can also impose serious toxic effects. Whether you eat improperly stored clove or use large doses of its raw extract, the chances are big that you will end up developing several symptoms like nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, sore throat, sedation, fluid imbalance, kidney disorders, liver disorders, and so on.

4)Surgery

Cloves contain chemicals that might affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control or cause bleeding during or after surgery.  Therefore it is advised to stop the intake of clove, a couple of weeks prior to undergoing a surgery.

5)Pregnency

Pregnant women are advised to avoid using it in large amount.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction as difficult breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using clove and call your healthcare provider at once if after using it in large amount , severe burning, redness, pain, or swelling  on the skin.

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