Kainat Bibi
The clove, Syzygium aromaticum is a shade loving plant and requires a humid climate. Cloves are the dried flowers of the clove tree.
Indonesia, being the largest producer of cloves, is also the largest consumer in the world. Indonesia consumes around 90% of its own clove production.
In 2019, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Pakistan were some of the major export destinations for Indonesian cloves. The flowering season varies from September- October in the plains to December-January at high altitudes.
People use the oils, dried flower buds, leaves, and stems to make medicine. In manufacturing, clove is used in toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and cigarettes.
Clove cigarettes, also called kreteks, generally contain 60% to 80% tobacco and 20% to 40% ground clove. Cloves can be used whole or ground.
People often include ground cloves in spice mixes and whole cloves in recipes to add depth and flavour to a wide variety of foods.
These small dark brown pods are used to spice up curries, season meats, enrich sauces and even flavour spiced baked goods.
Clove is used in small amounts to prepare pulao, biryani, as well as dals, meat curries and soups, for their invigorating fragrance and mildly tangy taste. They also provide some impressive health benefits.
Cloves are inherently low in calories, making them ideal for weight loss, besides supplying ample amounts of fibres, to facilitate smooth digestion.
Cloves are a rich source of manganese, a key trace mineral for optimal brain functions and strengthening bones, along with calcium and phosphorous. Consuming cloves at night will help relieve stomach problems like constipation, acidity, diarrhea.
In addition, the digestive system also works properly. Cloves are rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. It contains a certain type of salicylate that can help with acne.
If you have worms in your teeth, consuming cloves with warm water will get rid of it. It also helps relieve toothache. Consumption of cloves kills bacteria causing odor to vanish from the mouth.
Along with this, it helps to clean the bacteria off the tongue, and upper part of the throat as well. It helps get rid of the sore throat and pain.
If you are facing the problem of trembling hands and feet, you can consume 1-2 cloves with lukewarm water before bedtime. You will get benefit in a few days.
If your immunity is very weak, then start consuming cloves daily. To get rid of the problem of cold, cough, viral infection, bronchitis, sinus, asthma etc., you should consume cloves daily. Clove is a healthy addition to your diet.
Consuming pure clove oil can be toxic and lead to symptoms such as dizziness or even coma.
It is also flammable and could be fatal if it is swallowed and goes into the airway.
The writer is associated with Food Science and Technology Department, Govt College Women University Faisalabad
