Benefits of Cloves & Where to Buy It In Nigeria (Cheap!)

If you already know of all the wonderful benefits of Cloves and just searching for where to buy Cloves in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt or anywhere else in Nigeria, then Click HERE.

However, if you want to discover more Cloves, then keep reading...

What Is Cloves & How Is It Produced 

Cloves is a spice gotten from dried flower buds of the clove tree (also called Syzygium aromaticum)

Fun fact: The name "Cloves" comes from a Latin word "Clavus" , which means 'Nail' (as dried Cloves looks like a nail)

Cloves originated from Indonesia, however, it's a popular spice used in preparing stew, sauce, soups, meats, beverages, cookies, cakes and even rice in different parts of the world.

Cloves are very versatile, they are also ingredients in popular condiments (like ketchup) and some perfumes too. That's not all 

In addition, cloves have been used as traditional medicine for years now. And in recent years, Scientists have started looking into the potential health benefit of cloves. 

We will discuss more on the benefit later in this post.

Local Name For Cloves Nigeria

Cloves are grown in few areas in Nigeria, so not all tribes have a local name for Cloves. 

Cloves in the Yoruba language: kanafuru.

Cloves in the Hausa language: Not available.

Cloves in the Igbo language: Not available.

Nutritional Facts Of Cloves

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database [1], 2.1 grams (g) or 1 teaspoon of ground cloves contains:

Calories: 6 kilocalories (kcal)

Carbohydrates: 1.38 grams (g)

Fat: 0.27 grams (g)

Manganese: 30% of the RDI

Vitamin C: 3% of the RDI

Vitamin K: 4% of the RDI

Fibre: 0.7 grams (g)

In addition to the nutrients listed above, ground cloves contain small amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamin E [2].

NB: RDI means Recommended Dietary Intake. And note the RDI values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Where To Buy Cloves In Nigeria

You can buy Clove whole or ground in:

- Most Major Supermarket in Nigeria (Check the spice section)

-  You can buy it on Jumia

- You can buy it from local vendors on JIJI

Health Benefits Of Cloves & Uses

Here are some of the health benefits Cloves may offer you;

1. May Reduce Body Fat

Consuming Cloves may help reduce body fat.

A Scientific research study on mice found that mice that were giving clove extract showed a significant drop in body weight, decrease in abdominal fat and decrease in liver fat compared to the mice control group not given cloves[3].

If you're interested to learn more about losing weight then here is a free resource below:

2. Loaded With Antioxidants

Cloves is rich in Vitamin C and a compound named eugenol, both of which acts a natural antioxidants in the body. By the way, Antioxidants are compounds that fight against free radicals, which can cause damage and development of chronic disease in the body [4,5, 6]

Test tube studies have shown eugenol (found in cloves) to be about 5 times more effective than vitamin E (another strong antioxidant) in neutralising the harmful effect of Free radicals [7].

In essence, add cloves to your diet alongside other antioxidant-rich foods can help improve your overall health.

Clove is said to help aid digestion by  stimulating the release of digestive enzymes

Also, Cloves are recommended for relieving flatulence because they help eliminate gas that accumulates in the digestive tracts.

In addition, ground/powder cloves mixed with honey has long been used as a  home remedy for various stomach disorders.

So, adding cloves to your meal not only boost taste but may also help in the digestion process. 

4. Effective For Oral Health

Clove oil is showing promise as a potent ingredient for oral health.

A study carried out on a herbal mouth wash (containing clove, basil, and tea tree oil) with an essential oil mouthwash discovered that...

Although both types of mouthwash were effective on gingivitis, plaque and bacteria in the mouth. However, the mouth wash containing cloves reduced the number of harmful bacteria more than the essential oil mouth wash [Researchers]

5. Helps With Youthful Skin

Cloves may help your skin stay looking youthful because it contains compounds that battle against harmful free radicals that can lead to premature ageing and wrinkles.

6. May Reliefs Headaches

Cloves may provide a quick relief to your headache because they contain the eugenol compound, which can act as a painkiller. And what makes it better is that it doesn't come with most side effects that come with using orthodox medication.

When next you have a headache, use cloves to make a tea and that might solve the problem.

7. Antibacterial Effects

One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil was effective at killing off three common types of bacteria, including E. coli, a strain of bacteria that can cause cramps, diarrhoea, fatigue and even death (8).

What’s more, the antibacterial properties of cloves could even help promote oral health.

In one test-tube study, the compounds extracted from cloves were found to stop the growth of two types of bacteria that contribute to gum disease (9).

Another study in 40 people tested the effects of a herbal mouthwash consisting of tea tree oil, cloves and basil.

After using the herbal mouthwash for 21 days, they showed improvements in gum health, as well as the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth (10).

In combination with regular brushing and proper oral hygiene, the antibacterial effects of cloves may benefit your oral health.

8. May Fight Diabetes

A couple of studies on animals show that clove to be promising in helping  to keep blog sugar under control.

For example, a study carried out on diabetic mice revealed that clove extract and nigericin (a compound also found in cloves) helped decrease insulin resistance, enhance glucose tolerance and insulin secretion [11 ]

So in essence, taking cloves in addition to a balanced diet can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

9. May Enhance Liver Health

Some studies have suggested that Cloves may have a liver health-enhancing effect. 

Firstly, cloves are antioxidants-rich. So they can help in reducing oxidative stress, which could help in preventing liver diseases  [13].

One animal study showed that eugenol, a chemical compound found in cloves, helped reverse the signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis in the animals [13]

Another rat study revealed that clove extract helped in enhancing liver function, reducing oxidative stress and decreasing inflammation in rats suffering from fatty liver disease [14]

That said, there are very few human studies on the liver enhancing effect of eugenol and cloves.

Unfortunately, research on the liver-protecting effects of cloves and eugenol in humans is limited.

Also, excess eugenol is toxic to the liver. One study involving a two years old boy revealed  that 5mL to 10 mL of clove oil lead to serious damage to the liver (15).

10. Reduce Effects Mutation

Cloves are made up of chemical compounds, like phenylpropanoids, which are well known to decrease the negative effects of  mutagens. In essence, cloves may help to prevent  alterations in the genetic makeup of the DNA.

11. Boost Immune System

Cloves have long been known in Ayurvedic medicine to help boost the body's immune system. Cloves help encourage the production of white blood cells and can help particularly to fight against bacterial infection. 

12. Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Research studies have shown Cloves has an anti-inflammatory effect because of the presence of the chemical compound, eugenol. Eugenol has also been found to reduce the feeling of pain by stimulating receptors.Enter your text here...

13. Treat Wounds

Clove is priced for its analgesic and antiseptic property. So it's used in treating wounds like bruises and scrapes. Also, it is good for swellings due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

14. May Relief Stomach Ulcers

Various studies suggest that cloves can help in treating stomach ulcers. 

For example, one study on animals revealed that essential oil from cloves was shown to increase mucus production in the gastric, which aid in preventing the destruction of the stomach lining from digestive acids [16] [17].

Another animal study showed that clove extract had a similar effect to various drugs for treating ulcers (17).

That said, more human studies are needed to further test the ulcer-fighting effects in humans. 

15. May Promote Bone Health

Clove has shown promises in helping preserve bone health in some animal studies.

For instance, a study done on animals found that clove extract high in eugenol helped improve bone strength and density [18].

Also, cloves contain a high amount of manganese ( About 2g or 1 teaspoon of cloves has 30% of the daily recommended amount [19]). And manganese is an important mineral for bone formation.

Again, more human studies are needed to ascertain the bone-benefit of clove to humans as most available studies are on animals.

16. May Shield Against Cancer

Cloves are promising cancer-fighter due to their high antioxidant content. The antioxidant helps to reduce cell damage that could lead to cancer. 

A lab study revealed that clove extract was able to slow down the growth of various types of cancer cells in humans.  Also, it increased the death of cancer cells in the colon. [20].

Another study found that eugenol found in cloves was potent in killing cervical cancer cells [17]

That said, most of these test-tube studies make use of very high concentrated amounts of clove extract, clove oil and eugenol. All of which are toxic in high amounts to humans.

So more research is still needed.

17. Helps Relief Respiratory Issues 

Cloves have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine in relieving Cold and flu.

Also, cloves have an  expectorant-like effect which may help relieve congestion and other respiratory tracts issues.

18. May Relieve Stress

Cloves are priced for their calming properties. They can help calm down your nerves when stressed by encouraging the stimulation of hormones that improve mood and reduce stress. 

19. Could Clears Acne

Cloves are helpful in clear acne and pimples due to their antibacterial properties.  Also, the antibacterial characteristic of clove extracts can help reduce other skin problems and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and swelling on the skin.

Side Effects Of Cloves And Risk

Clove is likely safe for most people when taken in food quantity by mouth. Little to no studies show  the safety of taking cloves by mouth in larger medicinal amounts.

Clove oil or cream is possibly safe when applied directly to the skin. However, application of clove oil in the mouth or on the gums can sometimes cause damage to the gums, tooth pulp, skin, and mucous membranes

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, multiple hazards are associated with clove oil. It may cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, or an allergic reaction on the skin. It is also flammable and could be fatal if it is swallowed and goes into the airway.

Children: In children, clove oil is LIKELY UNSAFE to take by mouth. It can cause severe side effects such as seizures, liver damage, and fluid imbalances.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Clove is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cloves in medicinal doses if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Eugenol chemical found in clove oil seems to slow blood clotting.  So it might cause bleeding during or after surgery. Stop the use of clove  oil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Conclusion

Cloves are a promising plant that has many potential health benefits mentioned above. Also, it has some notable side effects especially with children and people who are about to go for surgery.