A burning exotic spice is cloves. Useful properties and contraindications
Back in the 3rd century BC, it was customary in China to go to an appointment with the emperor with a piece of a burning plant in his mouth. Since then, many people have been interested in this mysterious clove spice, useful properties and contraindications that arise with its frequent use. Indeed, even then the Chinese understood the property of this plant to freshen breath and remove bad breath.
In the Middle Ages, European healers noticed the ability of the clove to positively affect the body during infectious ailments. They advised to string small flowers of a clove tree on a thread, make such a necklace for yourself and wear it constantly. And in case of direct contact with patients, constantly chew the miraculous plant. Time has shown that the beneficial properties of cloves and spice contraindications for the human body are really worthy of our attention. What do modern examples and facts say about this? Let's try to get to know this unique overseas plant better.
A treasure of useful substances available to all
In its natural environment, the clove tree has been found in the Philippine islands. Today it is grown in Malaysia and on the east coast of the American continent. The exotic tree reaches a height of over 20 meters and belongs to the Myrtle family. In appearance, the plant resembles a high pyramid, which is decorated with small grayish leaves. Between them are miniature brown buds that resemble carnations with a hat. Each of them contains a bottomless treasure of life-giving substances that have been used by intelligent people for several millennia.
Having considered the beneficial properties and contraindications of clove spice, everyone can decide for themselves the degree of its use. After all, the unopened flowers of an exotic tree have been used in cooking for a long time. They have an amazing aroma that can change the taste properties of even fairly simple dishes:
- fish with marinade and seasonings;
- homemade sausage and corned beef;
- meat, fish, mushroom and potato soup;
- filling for canning vegetables;
- in sweet desserts (compotes, pastries, pudding).
It is quite difficult to list all kinds of culinary masterpieces, where various spices are put in tandem with ground cloves. For example, in combination with allspice ground pepper, the seasoning adds an exquisite taste to meat products. To get a special spicy taste of tonic drinks, the plant is added to coffee, punch, mulled wine, cocoa and compote... The seasoning is widely used in the Russian food industry. For its excellent beneficial properties, cloves are put in various sauces and canned foods, which our compatriots really like.
To get an excellent dish, put cloves there at the very end of cooking. Otherwise, with a long heat treatment, it gives off bitterness.
It should be noted that dry clove buds have a pronounced aroma. They are able to kill the rest of the spices in the dish and even change its taste. The smell is contained in the miniature spice caps, and the pungent taste is in the stalks. Especially appreciated by gourmets - the medicinal properties of clove seasoning, which it possesses.This is one of the reasons why the seasoning is so popular in many countries around the world.
To check the quality of the bud, it is thrown into a container of water. If the spice has sunk or floats vertically with its cap up, then it is fresh and ready to use. It is better to buy it in its natural whole form. If necessary, you can grind, but immediately before preparing a culinary masterpiece. So its ability to influence the internal organs of a person is preserved.
Cloves and health
To understand how cloves are useful for the body, it is important to understand what valuable substances it contains. Among other things, I would like to note only a few valuable elements:
- vitamins of group B, A (retinol), E (tocopherol) and K (phylloquinone);
- vegetable fiber in the form of dietary fiber (if you take 100 grams of spice, then it will accordingly have 30 grams of fiber);
- natural ash (6 g of ash fall out per 100 g of buds);
- essential oil rich in valuable compounds;
- a set of trace elements (magnesium, selenium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc);
- glucose;
- all kinds of mucus;
- natural tannins;
- a series of fatty and non-fatty acids;
- carbohydrates;
- proteins.
Reflecting on the composition of an exotic spice, it becomes clear why cloves are useful for the body. As practice shows, regular use of spices in food helps to solve such problems:
- analgesic effect;
- antiseptic action;
- soothes nervous tension;
- kills pathogenic microbes;
- gives refreshment and tone to the body;
- promotes wound healing;
- removes fluid from the body;
- relieves internal spasms;
- effectively fights viruses.
Despite some contraindications in treatment, the beneficial properties of the spice clove far exceed its disadvantages. So the plant is used in the treatment of various diseases. Let's consider some of them.
Cleansing the body of parasites
No person can say with certainty that parasites do not live inside him. Such microscopic creatures as pinworms, giardia or roundworms can slowly "eat away" our body. Fortunately, there is a powerful weapon against them - the burning carnation. Thanks to the eugenol, which is part of it, the parasites are first neutralized, and then released outside with excrement.
The dried flowers of the clove tree effectively kill the eggs of parasites and larvae, preventing them from actively developing.
But a natural question arises: how to take cloves from parasites in order to see the positive effect? To do this, grind the spice buds into powder and swallow one teaspoon 3 times a day. It is important to drink the "medicine" with clean water, which is important to speed up the process of neutralizing pests. The treatment period is 21 days.
Often experts advise to prepare a "medicine" from a mixture of plants such as cloves, tansy and wormwood. The crushed herbs are mixed into a homogeneous powder and taken 1 teaspoon before an evening meal. In this tandem, cloves from parasites act much faster, which contributes to effective cleansing of the body.
Since a lot of useful substances are lost when a spice is exposed to high temperatures, it is better to use cloves in dry form. In addition, decoctions from medicinal plants are absorbed in the small intestine, without reaching the place of accumulation of parasites.
Hot spice throat treatment
Often, due to hypothermia of the body, an unpleasant pain appears in the throat area, which you want to get rid of immediately. A burning exotic spice comes to the rescue. It is sold at any grocery store in the form of dried brown buds.
Many people have noticed positive effects when using cloves to treat throat. For this, a simple tincture is prepared. Put 3 or 4 cloves in a glass of boiled water. Cover with a tight lid, wrap with a towel and leave for an hour and a half.The finished tincture should be used to gargle a sore throat. In addition, the broth should be drunk in small portions within 3 hours. Such an uncomplicated recipe for cloves for sore throat is quite easy to prepare at home.
It is advisable to do the procedure no later than 18 hours, since the broth has a tonic effect. The course of treatment is carried out for 6 days.
Sometimes the illness becomes chronic and it may take more effort to get rid of it. The use of a decoction of cloves for angina in adults also gives a positive result. Pour half a teaspoon of chopped spice with boiling water, add a pinch of sea salt there and leave for an hour. Gargle the throat with a solution twice a day after meals. Do not stop the procedure until the disease is completely eliminated.
Carnation and pregnancy
Every woman expecting a baby tries to monitor her diet. A large amount of vitamins and beneficial trace elements are never superfluous. Is it possible to enjoy the taste of cloves during pregnancy? Some experts do not see anything wrong with this, the main thing is to use it in moderation. Other doctors say the spice affects a woman's nervous system, causing agitation and anxiety. As opinions differ, the decision is made on an individual basis.
You should not neglect the advice of a specialist. After all, a carnation is a burning spice and may not suit everyone, especially a pregnant woman.
Carnation and chic figure
In our age of electronic technology, people move little, so they gain extra weight. An excellent means for losing weight is cloves, a hot Asian spice. It is used as a fragrant tea, strong tincture or essential oil. When added to food, it is better absorbed. Low-calorie foods taste great, making dieting enjoyable.
In addition, if you know how to take cloves for the benefit of the body, the process of losing weight is accelerated. Moderate consumption of the spice promotes better digestion and breakdown of fats. This is a sure way to lose weight.
Natural chewing gum with excellent taste
Probably everyone has tried chewing gum at least once in their life. It turns out that there is a burning and useful plant in nature. Someone might ask: why chew on dried cloves? The answer is simple - it brings considerable benefits to the body.
Since the spice is capable of destroying pathogenic microbes in the oral cavity, it is used to treat various dental ailments. In case of toothache, the gums are rubbed with powder from ground plant buds. Another option is to put the spice in your mouth and chew slowly. Over time, the pain should go away. It is not surprising that those who have not used this method think: is it useful to chew a clove with a spice for dental diseases? It's simple - you should experience it yourself.
To prevent tooth decay, some herbal aficionados regularly chew dry cloves. Thanks to its components, the body receives the necessary vitamins, oils and microelements.
The beneficial properties of dried cloves help to strengthen and whiten teeth. As a result, you can find a beautiful smile and forget about the unpleasant odor from the mouth.
Objective assessment of the benefits and harms of hot spices
Often people have different opinions about the health benefits and harms of cloves. The thing is that we are all different. Therefore, one and the same treatment may be effective for someone, but not help another at all. This also applies to the buds of the clove tree, which contain a huge amount of valuable elements.
Individual intolerance to the constituent components of the spice often harms the body. Despite the beneficial medicinal properties of cloves and contraindications, it is widely used in cooking. But nevertheless, it should be carefully eaten by patients with gastritis and those who have increased stomach acidity.
It is not recommended to chew the spice for gastrointestinal ulcers.
It is contraindicated to get carried away with a burning spice during natural feeding of a child. Cloves will affect the taste of breast milk and lead to food diathesis in the baby. Worse, he may refuse to breast, which will adversely affect his health.
It is not advisable to give the plant to children who have not reached the age of three. It is forbidden to eat it for hypertensive patients and people with mental disorders. In this situation, the medicinal properties and contraindications of the clove will bring little benefit to humans. Only by taking a wise approach to treatment and health care can you enjoy a fulfilling life. And let the exotic spice exude its unsurpassed aroma for all connoisseurs of natural gifts.