Herbs Guide

Clove

Family Name: Myrtaceae

Botanical Name(s): Eugenia Caryophyllata

Popular Name(s): Eugenia Aromatica, Clavos, Caryophyllus

Parts Used: Undeveloped flowers.

Habitat: Molucca Islands, Southern Philippines.

Description: Clove trees are small, bushy and evergreen, with shiny, leathery, lance-like leaves. Fragrant, pink-white flowers that fall on opening and a tuft of yellow stamens are produced in late summer, followed by purple berries.

Uses: It is used for digestive problems, helping the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract to relax. Cloves also kill intestinal parasites and act as an anti-microbial agent against fungi and bacteria. It has also been suggested that cloves have an antihistamine action as well.