Cloves

Cloves are a unique and very useful spice. These little flower buds have been used for centuries in cooking, for medicine and even in ritual and for religious purposes. Cloves also known by there Latin Syzygium aromaticumone of hundreds of aromatic evergreen trees. The family that cloves comes from is Myrtacea, which is also the same family that myrtle and eucalyptus comes from. The buds are harvested pink before they bloom and left to dry. It is after they have dried that you get the volatile oil.

Metaphysically Cloves have been used to bring forth love and money. A more common use, cloves is for them to be burned to remove negative vibrations and to keep people from gossiping about you. An excellent incense with high vibrations to remove negativity is equal parts angelica root, cinnamon and clove. Use this as an incense on charcoal or sprinkle it on a burning intention to remove obstacles. Not only will it remove any negative vibes it will also have a pleasing sent of apple pie.

Cloves have a monumental amount of uses in the kitchen. The famous clove studded ham at holidays, or the small amount in pumpkin pie spice. Cloves have and are used in many different ways in the kitchen. Pickling, brine's, spice mixes just to start. Mulling spice is a classic mixture to use in warmed wine or apple cider. Chi spice for tea and sweet curry is another common use. Cloves as mentioned above are used to cook a ham and to brine meats. Pickling spice has cloves in as well. You can also use a small amount in your baking for pumpkin and apple pie. If you make tomato jelly put one or two cloves in per cup. This will give your jelly a classic country taste.

Cloves contain the volatile oil eugenol which is the reason for its aromatic aroma. Another constituent is methyl salicylate this is the reason for cloves painkilling abilities. A very common use for cloves is in temporary relief of a toothache. You place a clove or clove oil near (with the oil it can be on) the affected area and you will have temporary pain relief. The Chinese have been using cloves since the Han dynasty (207B.C.E. to 220 C.E.)if not before. Cloves have been used for indigestion, diarrhea, hernias, ringworm and several fungal infections.

Today Cloves are still used much as they have for centuries. You can use them in your cooking, to take care of a toothache. Or if you wish to make an incense to remove unwanted energy from you life. Cloves are among one of the most versatile spices available. I hope you make room in your home for such a wonderful prize. If in fact you haven't already done so.