A dried flower that is also a wonder spice, did you know that clove, also known as laung or lavang, offers a wide range of clove health benefits—from supporting cancer management and immunity to gut issues, candida overgrowth, bacterial infections, oral, skin, hair, bone health, and more?

Clove has been used in different forms of medicine and nutrition for years. The dried flowers of the clove tree find their origin in Indonesia. Over the years, the fragrance and fair healing properties of cloves have made them a popular culinary spice across the globe.

Let’s dive into the top health benefits of cloves and how to use them in your daily life.

The benefits of cloves and clove oil have been medically and scientifically documented for years.

Cloves for cancer

Scientific papers show the anticancer and anti-tumor properties of cloves. It contains eugenol which has been shown in labs to reduce the size of the tumor and prevent the spread of cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis (where an infected cell self-destructs).

In most cancer patients, cell apoptosis does not work anymore because the entire immune system is out of whack.

When this happens, the body’s intelligence is compromised and cancer spreads. Does this mean that consuming cloves will take your cancer away or put it in remission? No. But can exploring the use of clove in your diet help its management and prevention? Yes. Make the best use of its anti-carcinogenic compounds, which are part of the powerful cloves benefits for disease prevention.

Cloves as a powerhouse of antioxidants

Many of you may wonder – are antioxidants overhyped? But the reality of the times that we live in is this. Among the many clove health benefits is its potent anti-inflammatory action, which plays a key role in reducing lifestyle disease risk. The more free radicals in our body we have, the more inflammation there will be. While inflammation is a crucial immune system response, when it is chronic and uncontrolled, it can make you vulnerable to a host of inflammatory diseases and lifestyle conditions like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular issues, autoimmune disorders, and so on.

Having foods rich in antioxidants can help us reduce inflammation and keep it under control. One of the most important cloves benefits is its ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation at a cellular level. The more free radicals you have, the more antioxidants you need. Add cloves to your meals.

Being rich in antioxidants, also makes cloves the superstar of anti-aging. It also helps reduce the formation and occurrence of ulcers.

Did you know Lawang also works as a super stress-smoother that can make you feel relaxed and peaceful?

From gut support to oral care, clove health benefits are widespread and backed by traditional wisdom as well as modern science.

Cloves as an antibacterial

Clove is also highly antibacterial, which can help break down and kill bad bacteria in your system. 1 out of 3 people have gut issues because our gut microbiome is imbalanced. When the number of bad gut microbes overpowers good ones, it paves the way for bloating, acidity, indigestion, flatulence, and other issues, by upsetting your entire microbiome.

You may notice that when you are down with a stomach bug, infection, or gut issue, you may be prescribed antibiotics to kill the bad bacteria. But what most people do not realize is that in the process of doing this, these powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics can also wipe out good gut bacteria which your body needs. This is why it is essential to pair a probiotic or a B-complex when taking antibiotics. These clove health benefits are why clove is often used in traditional remedies to balance gut flora. And one underrated chewing clove benefit is its ability to subtly support oral-gut microbial balance, especially when used consistently after meals.

Cloves as antiseptic

Did you know that many toothpastes have eugenol as an extract? You get eugenol from cloves, nutmeg, and bay leaves too. Cloves have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. If your toothpaste has clove or its extracts, you know it’s a good choice. It is highly antiseptic and antibacterial, two qualities that a good toothpaste must contain.

Many people in villages chew cloves after meals—a simple practice that reflects the powerful chewing cloves benefits for oral hygiene and digestion. One of the lesser-known benefits of keeping clove in mouth is that it can help manage bacteria buildup and freshen breath naturally. You can try this too. Take one or two pieces of clove and just keep it between your teeth. It can be bitter too but you will get used to its taste. You can also opt to just suck on it. It freshens your breath.

Dipping into childhood memories, your grandmother or mother often suggested holding a clove between the molars to take care of niggling toothaches. They were right. You can use a clove as a pain reliever, by sucking on it, not chewing.

The juice takes care of the bacteria inside the mouth that creates bad breath, possibly indigestion, and even goes beyond oral health. Cloves calm the respiratory tract and keep the bacteria at bay, preventing their entry into the lungs.

Cloves to regulate blood sugar levels

Having cloves after meals can help regulate your blood sugar levels. When you chew on them after a meal, it not only helps freshen your mouth but also kills bacteria. The more you bite on it, the more extract gets out of that clove and into your system, helping you with your blood sugar levels—one of the many lesser-known health benefits of cloves.

Clove for skin and hair

The anti-bacterial component of the clove also makes it a great anti-acne warrior. If you’re getting too many pimples and zit breakouts, try consuming laung. It is readily available in your kitchen. The antifungal properties of laung work their magic on your hair too, by boosting blood circulation in your scalp. If you’re losing hair, chew on it.

Cloves for bone health

Laung is a mineral carrier. The unique content of manganese, together with flavonoids and eugenol, makes the spice encourage better bone health. One of the lesser-known chewing cloves benefits is that it releases compounds like manganese and eugenol into your saliva, aiding in nutrient absorption and bone health. The manganese content of cloves helps in regulating your blood sugar level, too.

Clove for your liver

Scientific studies point toward the health benefits of cloves in supporting better liver function and reducing markers of liver damage. Trials have shown that the eugenol found in cloves can help reduce signs of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease and boost overall liver function.

The bottom line

When it comes to spices, the cloves benefits are truly unmatched—from gut health to glowing skin. Cloves are loaded with medicinal properties. When used the right way, the health benefits of cloves can support your immunity, digestion, oral health, and more.

How can you use cloves? Here’s your laung guide:

• Ensure to source ethically grown good quality clove. Shop here.
• Did you know in the olden days, in the absence of refrigerators, people would put cloves in dishes to preserve them? Adding cloves to fresh food can help improve its shelf life.
• Grind it into a powder. Add this to your food preparations like rice, pulao, sabzis, curries, and so on. Season dishes, sweet and savory, with this powdered spice.
• You can also add it to your beverages. When you are brewing your tea, add a couple of cloves. My favorite way to grind dried clove into a powder and add a dash of it to my green tea, regular chai, or even coffee.
• You can also chew on one or two cloves after your meals. One of the benefits of keeping clove in mouth is that it continuously releases essential oils like eugenol that support oral hygiene and digestion.
• Use cloves with basil in a homemade mouth rinse to keep your teeth and gums healthy
• Keep whole cloves handy with you to curb errant coughs. One of the benefits of keeping clove in mouth is its ability to calm the throat and support the respiratory tract through slow aromatic release.
• You can also buy and use clove essential oil or extracts but be very careful. Use it under supervision. If you overdo clove oil or extract, it can be extremely toxic for your liver. If you have an existing condition, consult your doctor before using it.

There are different ways to add cloves to your meals. What is crucial is we recognize the power of this spice and use them the right way.

All the bioactive compounds, polyphenols, and minerals in different spices go toward building our cell health and immune system and enhancing the intelligence of our body. This can do all the magic for our overall health and wellness.

How do you add cloves to your meals or lifestyle? Share your ideas in the comments so everyone reading this can benefit from it.

Disclaimer: None of what is mentioned in this blog is replacement for any medical advice, medicine, or treatment. Always keep your medical expert in the loop before trying anything new especially if you are on any medication or treatment. 

ALSO WATCH: Holistic Living from Home | Health Benefits of Clove

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