Clove

The clove is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The plant is a 20 m high, pyramidal shaped evergreen tree whose white flowers are in triple-branched

Parts used:

Clove (dried flowerbud), leaf, stem

The word ‘clove’ is from the Latin word for ‘nail’ – clavus.

Botany

The clove is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The plant is a 20 m high, pyramidal shaped evergreen tree whose white flowers are in triple-branched cymes.

Constituents

Clove is rich in volatile oils principally eugenol (70-90%), eugenyl acetate (17%) and B-caryophyllene as well as flavonoids, galloytannins, phenolic acids and triterpenes.

Possible Interactions

Herb - None documented. Drug - For preparations of clove oil to interact with other medicines administered concurrently, particularly those with similar or opposing effects, should be considered.

Comments

Approved by the German Commission E for cough and dental analgesic and inflammation of mouth and pharynx. The anodyne and mild antiseptic properties documented for clove oil have been attributed to eugenol. Clove oil has antihistaminic and antispasmodic properties, most likely caused by eugenyl acetate. Eugenol, a major constituent of clove oil, inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.

➥ Pharmacopoeia and Other Monographs

German Commission E, BP 2007, Ph Eur 2007