Description

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) in Indonesia. Cloves were first traded by the Austronesian peoples at around 1500 BC. Cloves were also present in records in India, China, Sri Lanka, Persia, and Oman by around the third century to second century BC. Clove oil is perhaps best known as a remedy for toothache and dental pain. Cloves are used in the cuisine, lending flavor to meats, curries, and marinades, as well as fruits. Clove is also used for flavoring or fragrance in consumer products, such as toothpaste, soaps, or cosmetics. Clove oil is used to kill parasites and repel insects as it contains eugenol, a powerful germicide, as well as caryophyllene, which has antimicrobial properties.