Description
Since the late Middle Ages, cloves have garnished, flavored and preserved food. It has long been a sought-after spice from Indonesia, and the flower buds on this tropical evergreen tree are what hold the flavor-packed, pungent spice.
However, cloves hold much more than their characteristic Christmassy smell and taste. Clove was found to exhibit antimicrobial, larvicidal, antiviral, anesthetic, insecticidal, antioxidative and free-radical-scavenging activities in a 2021 study published in Plant Archives. Clove also has a vast array of antimicrobial benefits, so it can be useful for patients with bacterial overgrowth, viral infections, and Lyme.
Some studies have explored using clove as an alternative to antibiotics. The administration of cloves displayed synergistic modulation effects on immunity and gut health, which would be a welcome alternative to antibiotics that are generally hard on the stomach’s microbiome. Clove has been shown to improve microbiota composition and enhance immunity in various studies, along with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and polyphenolic compound content.
Why We Love clove, the powerhouse spice
My (Dr. Warren’s) particular love for this product comes from its antilarval and antiparasitic properties. Parasites often come as a co-infection of Lyme, Babesia being the most prominent. Clove is useful against both Lyme and parasites (such as Babesia, Nematodes or any other parasite) and tends to be well tolerated. It causes fewer side effects than cinnamon, making it usable for a larger percent of our patients.
References
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Rani R, Jena MK. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Beneficial Effects on Human Health: A Review. Plant Archives. Published 2021; 21(1):1967-1972. e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online), ISSN:0972-5210. http://plantarchives.org/SPECIAL%20ISSUE%2021-1/320%20(1967-1972).pdf. Accessed January 18, 2022.
- Muzolf-Panek M, Kaczmarek A, Tomaszewska-Gras J, Cegielską-Radziejewska R, Majcher M. Oxidative and microbiological stability of raw ground pork during chilled storage as affected by Plant extracts. International Journal of Food Properties. Taylor & Francis Online. Published February 21, 2019; 22(1):111-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2019.1579834. Accessed January 18, 2022.
- Gole M, Manwar SJ, Chaudhary SP, Kawitkar SV, Khose KK. The impact of feeding clove essential oils and organic acids on immunity, gut health and economics of broiler production. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. Published 2020; 9(3):1417-1422. https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2020/vol9issue3/PartW/9-3-148-545.pdf. Accessed January 18, 2022.
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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