Clove by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Clove
2. Folk Name(s): Mother Clove, Clou de Girofle (French), Caryophyllus
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Syzygium aromaticum (formerly Eugenia caryophyllata)
4. Family: Myrtaceae
5. Plant Type: Evergreen tropical tree
6. Botanical Description: A medium-sized tree (25–40 feet tall) with glossy, leathery green leaves and crimson new growth. Produces clusters of small, unopened flower buds that turn from green to bright red—these dried flower buds are harvested as cloves. Flowers are followed by small purple fruits.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA Zones 11–12; thrives in hot, humid, tropical climates.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Coastal tropical regions near the equator (e.g., Indonesia, Zanzibar, Madagascar, India).
9. Habitat & Range: Native to the Maluku Islands (“Spice Islands”) in Indonesia; now cultivated across tropical Asia, Africa, and parts of South America.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Requires deep, rich, loamy soil with good drainage and high humidity. Prefers partial shade to full sun.
2. Propagation: Grown from seed or cuttings; seeds must be fresh as they lose viability quickly.
3. Companion Planting: Often intercropped with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice in spice plantations.
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Flower buds are harvested by hand when they turn crimson but before opening.
5. Drying/Preservation: Buds are sun-dried until they turn dark brown and brittle, then stored airtight. Essential oil is distilled from dried buds.

Traditional & Historical Uses

1. Cultural Significance: Cloves were central to the ancient spice trade and highly prized in Europe and Asia. Used in incense, perfumes, and medicines for over 2,000 years. In China, courtiers chewed cloves to freshen breath before addressing the emperor.
2. Traditional Medicine: In Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani, cloves were used for digestion, pain relief, and infections.
3. Symbolism: Associated with wealth, love, protection, and purification.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Essential oils (up to 20%), chiefly eugenol, eugenyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes.
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Analgesic—clove oil is famous for easing toothaches.
4. Antimicrobial—effective against bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
5. Digestive aid—relieves gas, nausea, and indigestion.
6. Circulatory stimulant—warms the body and promotes blood flow.
7. Respiratory support—used for coughs, colds, and asthma.
   
8. Preparation Methods:
   
9. Infusion/tea (from whole buds).
10. Tincture or capsules.
11. Essential oil (for topical/external use, diluted).
12. Incorporated into poultices and liniments.
    
13. Dosage & Guidelines: Tea—1–2 whole buds per cup, steep 10 minutes; 1–2 cups/day. Tincture—1–2 mL up to 3x/day. Essential oil—1–2 drops diluted in carrier oil, external use only.
14. Safety/Precautions: Strong oil can irritate skin/mucous membranes; avoid undiluted use. Excessive internal use may cause nausea or toxicity. Avoid large doses during pregnancy and use caution with blood-thinning medications.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Fire
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Jupiter (prosperity, expansion), Sun (vitality, purification). Associated with deities of abundance and protection.
3. Magical Correspondences: Protection, prosperity, love, purification, banishing negativity, mental clarity.
4. Ritual Use: Burned as incense for purification; carried in sachets for love, wealth, and protection; used in prosperity jars and spells. Hung in the home to repel negativity and attract abundance.
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Dreaming of cloves may symbolize incoming prosperity, improved health, or the need for protection from draining influences.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Trees produce flowers that attract insects, though buds are harvested before blooming.
2. Wildlife Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds in tropical regions.
3. Culinary Uses:
   
4. Used whole or ground in savory dishes, curries, spice blends (garam masala, Chinese five-spice, pumpkin spice).
5. Flavoring for baked goods, mulled wine, liqueurs, teas, and sauces.
6. Studded into citrus fruits (pomanders) as natural air fresheners and protective charms.
   

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses: Toothache relief, spice for cooking, protective incense, air freshener.
2. Notable Traits: One of the most powerful natural analgesics and antiseptics.
3. Special Notes: Historically so valuable that wars were fought over clove-producing islands.

Supporting Notes

1. References:
   
2. Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal
3. Chevallier, A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
4. Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism
5. Cunningham, S. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
6. Dalby, A. Dangerous Tastes: The Story of Spices