Cloves

http://altmed.creighton.edu/Cloves/Research.htm

Studies in laboratory animals suggest cloves help reduce fevers.

Clove and clove oil have been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before taking clove or clove oil for any unproven use.

Resources

Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Selected Scientific Studies: Clove

Natural Standard reviewed more than 235 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

• Burt SA, Reinders RD. Antibacterial activity of selected plant essential oils against Escherichia coli O157:H7. Lett Appl Microbiol 2003;36(3):162-167.

• Chami F, Chami N, Bennis S, et al. Evaluation of carvacrol and eugenol as prophylaxis and treatment of vaginal candidiasis in an immunosuppressed rat model. J Antimicrob Chemother 2004;54(5):909-914.

• Choi HK, Jung GW, Moon KH, et al. Clinical study of SS-cream in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Urology 2000;55(2):257-261.

• Consolini AE, Sarubbio MG. Pharmacological effects of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) aqueous crude extract on rat’s heart. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;Jun, 81(1):57-63.

• Damiani CE, Rossoni LV, Vassallo DV. Vasorelaxant effects of eugenol on rat thoracic aorta. Vascul Pharmacol 2003;Jan, 40(1):59-66.

• Dragland S, Senoo H, Wake K, et al. Several culinary and medicinal herbs are important sources of dietary antioxidants. J Nutr 2003;May, 133(5):1286-1290.

• Eisen JS, Koren G, Juurlik DN, et al. N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of clove oil-induced fulminant hepatic failure. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2004;42(1):89-92.

• Elshafie AE, Al-Rashdi TA, Al-Bahry SN, Bakheit CS. Fungi and aflatoxins associated with spices in the Sultanate of Oman. Mycopathologia 2002;155(3):155-160.

• Friedman M, Henika PR, Mandrell RE. Bactericidal activities of plant essential oils and some of their isolated constituents against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. J Food Prot 2002;Oct, 65(10):1545-1560.

• Grover JK, Rathi SS, Vats V. Amelioration of experimental diabetic neuropathy and gastropathy in rats following oral administration of plant (Eugenia jambolana, Mucuna pruriens and Tinospora cordifolia) extracts. Indian J Exp Biol 2002;Mar, 40(3):273-276.

• Guynot ME, Ramos AJ, Seto L, et al. Antifungal activity of volatile compounds generated by essential oils against fungi commonly causing deterioration of bakery products. J Appl Microbiol 2003;94(5):893-899.

• Huss U, Ringbom T, Perera P, et al. Screening of ubiquitous plant constituents for COX-2 inhibition with a scintillation proximity based assay. J Nat Prod 2002;Nov, 65(11):1517-1521.

• Jadhav BK, Khandelwal KR, Ketkar AR, et al. Formulation and evaluation of mucoadhesive tablets containing eugenol for the treatment of periodontal diseases. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2004;195-203.

• Juglal S, Govinden R, Odhav B. Spice oils for the control of co-occurring mycotoxin-producing fungi. J Food Prot 2002;Apr, 65(4):683-687.

• Kalemba D, Kunicka A. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oils. Curr Med Chem 2003;May, 10(10):813-829.

• Kim EH, Kim HK, Ahn YJ. Acaricidal activity of clove bud oil compounds against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae). J Agric Food Chem 2003;Feb 12, 51(4):885-889.

• Li Y, Xu C, Zhang Q, et al. In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori action of 30 Chinese herbal medicines used to treat ulcer diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98(3):329-333.

• Pallares DE. Link between clove cigarettes and urticaria? Postgrad Med 1999;106(4):153.

• Sanchez-Perez J, Garcia-Diez A. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from eugenol, oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves in a physiotherapist. Contact Derm 1999;41(6):346-347.

• Soetiarto F. The relationship between habitual clove cigarette smoking and a specific pattern of dental decay in male bus drivers in Jakarta, Indonesia. Caries Res 1999;33(3):248-250.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/337268-the-health-benefits-of-clove/

Antioxidant

Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, which participates in causing several different diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. The ACS reports that clove oil does demonstrate antioxidant activity in laboratory experiments. The antioxidant actions of cloves have not been confirmed in animal or human studies.

Painkiller

MedlinePlus states that clove oil, when applied topically to the gums, reduces pain from toothaches. A study in the July 2009 issue of the journal “Pain” reports that eugenol blocks pain reception in nerves and may be a useful local anesthetic for other pain conditions in addition to its widespread use in the dental clinic.

Anti-Bacterial

Diluted clove oil is often used as an antiseptic to clean minor wounds. A study in the November 2009 issue of “Phytomedicine” reports that eugenol synergizes with antibiotics to destroy bacteria. The ACS notes that clove oil also prevents the growth of fungi and molds in laboratory experiments. No clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of clove oil for treating bacterial or other types of infections in humans.

Digestion

In Chinese medicine, clove oil is used medicinally to treat indigestion, nausea and vomiting. A study in a Brazilian journal notes that clove oil is effective in treating ulcers in rodents. MedlinePlus reports that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether clove oil is effective in treating digestion problems.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/337268-the-health-benefits-of-clove/#ixzz1Mq3bDeUZ

References

• MedlinePlus: Cloves

• PubMed: Molecular Mechanism for Local Anesthetic Action of Eugenol in the Rat Trigeminal System

• PubMed: Synergistic Interaction of Eugenol With Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacteria

• PubMed: Essential Oil Poisoning: N-Acetylcysteine for Eugenol-Induced Hepatic Failure and Analysis of a National Database

• American Cancer Society: Clove Oil

• PubMed: Gastroprotective Activity of Essential Oil of the Syzygium Aromaticum and Its Major Component Eugenol in Different Animal Models