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Todays post is about Cloves, some of their health benefits and uses!

Health benefits when added to the diet:

They contain a very potent amount of Phenols, a strong branch of antioxidant that helps protect the cells of the body from damage particularly from free radicals which are known to cause cancers and speed up aging. It also works as a natural preservative in meals due to actions such as slowing down the oxidation of fats in the food.
Adding them to your diet can help keep coughs and colds at bay due to antibacterial properties and the Eugenol oil that they possess, similar to Menthol in it’s aroma and aromatic flavour it is strong in fighting throat & chest infections. This combines to give it strong expectorant properties which makes it easier to cough up phlegm.
They are a great source of Vitamins C, K, B-6, B-1 and B-2. They also include Potassium and Sodium, valuable electrolytes. All of these are needed by the body for optimum function and can be added to the diet by seasoning with ground Clove powder or adding whole cloves to a meal such as a soup and taken out before serving.

Remedial uses:

1. Clove tea for fighting infection (especially in the chest & sinuses), aging and poor digestion -

First add a tablespoon of whole Cloves to a Pestle & Mortar and bash them down into small pieces but do not grind them as they need to be strained afterwards.
Next add the Cloves to a cup of boiled water in a mini cup strainer or tea infuser and allow them to steep for 10 - 20 minutes. The longer they are left the greater the potency but the flavour will become more bitter/pungent.
Strain the Cloves out and now you can flavour the tea with lemon/lime juice or honey/stevia depending on your preference.
You can also add a black tea bag for the last 3 minutes of steeping to get a form of spiced tea that may be more to your taste.

This tea should not be taken too often as the warnings below will explain, but taken twice a week can have a tonic effect on overall health due to the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

2. If you are suffering from a toothache or a sore throat you can suck/chew on a Clove to release it’s anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic properties. This will not only reduce the pain greatly but help to fight the cause if it is infection based.

3.Quick facial mask for fighting acne causing bacteria and reducing oil buildup -

Use a Pestle & Mortar to bash & grind a tablespoon of whole cloves down into a fine powder.
Add a teaspoon of water or honey and muddle the mixture together.
Add a few drops of Lime juice.

Apply to the worst effected areas and let it sit for 20 minutes, rinsing off with cool water. Doing a facial steam with a bowl before hand will increase the effectiveness!

This not only kills excess bacteria but helps to reduce inflammation. This mask should not be used too regularly otherwise it can cause irritation due to the potency of the Eugenol oil.

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Cautions -

If you have any allergies to Cloves or similar aromatic Spices then don’t use them in anyway.

If you have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinning medication don’t drink the tea or add them to your diet in any great number as they have blood thinning properties.

If you have a kidney or liver disorder you should not consume Cloves without checking with your Herbalist or Doctor.

Anyone with blood sugar problems such as Diabetics or Hypoglycemics should be very wary of using Cloves as they lower blood sugar levels.

If pregnant it is always best to avoid trying new things in your diet without checking with a professional first.

Always take a sensible approach to the amount of a Spice you add to your diet as anything taken in excess can be harmful.

Lastly, always check with a trained Botanist, Herbalist or Doctor if you are unsure about anything.

Hope you are all well and have a good day!

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