Clove Tea

Clove tea, prepared from crushed or ground cloves is a healthy herbal infusion richly loaded with vitamins and minerals, also having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, expectorant as well as other effective properties, that makes it to be used for medicinal purposes to treat an array of ailments.

History and Origin

Indigenous to the Malaku Islands of Indonesia, cloves are mostly harvested in several countries of Asia like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.

Cloves have a long and fruitful history. Besides being used as a spice, owing to its immense health benefits, it was used in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine to treat digestive disorders, nausea, dental problems, fungal infections and so on. Though its traditional utility as an oil was highly popular, it may have been ground to prepare an infusion since ancient times, to be consumed internally for getting relief from several health problems.

Health benefits of clove tea: What is it good for

 For digestion

Apart from boosting enzyme secretion for better digestion, cloves also have anti-carminative properties which help in minimizing gas formation, flatulence, and bloating. It also acts as a strong analgesic helping in combating acidity and heartburn.

The anti-inflammatory compounds of clove tea because of the presence of eugenol in it, helps relieving abdominal pain and cramps, while its anti-bacterial properties facilitate in minimizing bouts of diarrhea by combating the germs that may cause it.

If you have had a distressing meal or face problem in digestion, drinking a cup of this tea post lunch or dinner would make you feel better, also helping in increasing your appetite. On the other hand, if you have gone through a stomach upset then a cup of clove tea would soothe your digestive tract as well as help replace the lost fluids.

Relieves sore throat

The anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and anti-bacterial properties present in clove tea would make it useful in getting relief from a sore throat. You can even use it as a gargle to feel better.

For respiratory health

The presence of expectorant and mucolytic properties in clove makes it beneficial in loosening the phlegm, thus being effective in providing relief from respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis, also aiding in minimizing the severity of coughs.

Protects the liver

The hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of clove tea make it a strong liver detoxifier.

Fore headaches

The mucolytic and expectorant properties of clove tea as mentioned above help in opening up the sinus passages, thus minimizing the nasal congestion and headaches during sinusitis. The anti-inflammatory and anesthetic compounds on the other hand make it useful for reducing tension or other kinds of headache.

If you are troubled by regular bouts of sinusitis or migraine headaches, having this tea on a routine basis may minimize the frequency of your aches.

Diabetes controller

Studies have shown that clove extracts have the ability of overcoming insulin resistance as well as improper glucose distribution, thus being beneficial in balancing the level of glucose in our body. Diabetes sufferers can include this tea as a part of their diet for a better health. However, talk to your doctor regarding consumption of this tea if you are already on diabetes medication.

Prevents nausea

The anti-emetic properties of clove tea make it useful for lessening morning sickness or even feelings of nausea as well as vomiting.

Cancer preventing properties

Cloves fall under the list of spices that are said to possess anti-carcinogenic or cancer combating properties. Studies conducted on animals having lung cancer have revealed that the eugenol component of clove assists in restricting the multiplication of malignant cells. However, more research is needed on to confirm this piece of information.

Relieves toothache

The presence of eugenol, as mentioned earlier, gives clove anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anesthetic properties, helping in clearing your mouth from bacteria and other infection as well as works towards relieving pain of the teeth and gums.

You can drink or even gargle the warm tea to get relief from pan and swelling of the teeth and gums.

Fore bone health

The phenolic compound like eugenol as well as its derivatives such as flavonoids, flavones and isoflavones, help in preserving the mineral content of bones, also keeping the bone density in check. It even works towards enhancing the bone’s tensile strength. People prone to or suffering from arthritis or osteoporosis may get respite from he pain by including this tea as a part of their everyday diet.

You can even do a cold compress with this tea to lessen pain and swelling of your joints.

For yeast infections

Another benefit eugenol bestows upon clove is the anti-fungal properties, making it effective in killing the parasitic fungus Candida. A study conducted in 2001 has illustrated this fact further by showing its powerful effect on the yeast fungi.

Apart from drinking the tea, you can also use it as an enema to flush out the parasites from your bowels for which one part of the tea is to be diluted with four parts of non-chlorinated water.

In combination with the anti-fungal properties, clove tea also has anti-bacterial properties as already mentioned, that makes it effective in killing intestinal parasites. Therefore, having this clove infusion will be beneficial in stimulating the pin worms from the intestine.

Sleep inducing properties

The anesthetic and aromatic nature of clove tea makes it a good option for people suffering from insomnia or those having trouble in falling asleep.

Other Uses

• The antiseptic and antibacterial properties makes clove tea a great hand and mouth wash, helping to drive away germs at an instant.
• It acts as a great hair rinse after shampoo for those with dark hair also having red or auburn highlights.
• Clove tea can be cooled and applied on the skin as a wash to get relief from certain skin conditions like acne as well as cuts, wounds and scrapes.

How to make clove tea

• Grind a teaspoon of clove into a powdered form
• Mix it into a cup of boiling water
• Steep it for about ten minutes
• Strain the tea and have it hot

You can refrigerate it for future use or even pour the cooled clove tea over glasses filled with ice to get a clove iced tea.

A pinch of cinnamon can even be added along with the cloves for a more refreshing taste.

To make a flavored tea you may add peels from about half an orange to make a clove orange tea.

Safety Precautions

Side effects

Though it is not known to have any severe side effects, an overdose of clove tea may lead to stomach upset, vomiting or other adverse health conditions.

During pregnancy

Since clove tea is said to have labor inducing properties, pregnant women should refrain from having it.

Lactating or breastfeeding mothers should also keep away from drinking this tea.

Where to buy

You can buy powdered clove tea or tea bags online as well as in shops selling herbal teas.