Latin names : Syzygium aromaticum, (Eugenia caryophylla : old name) French names : Girofle, Giroflier, Clou de Girofle, Griffes de Girofle Other English name : Clove bud Extracted from : Clove bud : dried buds - Clove : leaves
Clove bud is the name of the dried bud (flower bud before hatching, sun-dried). Clove leaf is ... the leaf! Those two are dealt with together here as the both having a similar chemotype, similar properties and contraindications. Any difference will be notified.
Toothache? Dental infection? A drop of clove on it to soothe the pain and control the infection.
Balconies and gardens: you can associate it with nutmeg to treat plants infested with larvae.
A drop of clove under the feet for someone who needs to act rather than procrastinate.
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The plant, its legends and its botany
Clove tree belongs to a tropical family of healer trees: the Myrtaceae. Rather thin, it is covered in an abundance of foliage and thus does not show any weakness. 3.5 ft. tall and a pyramidal shape. Young leaves and shoots are bright red. It is during the rainy season that they come out.
It provides a spice that was the reason a bit of rivalry due to its therapeutic and market value. (Like
many plants in India which provide essential oils... so sorry for the
repetition! But the sub-continent is so rich ...) We will not repeat
the stories about those ships sunken for the trade of spice and the fight between the colonising countries to get more influence over it. Let's leave this same old history and have a look at other facts. Besides, clove encourages one to be brief and concise so let's be that too!
Its first Latin name: Eugenia is a nicer story. Eugenia is the patron saint of midwives. And it is one this plant's area of expertise as it was used by many midwives to strengthen contractions. But ... the funny part of it is that, its name was actually given in honour of Prince Eugene of Austria.
But, to us, its scent rather brings us back to dental practices. Indeed, it is an outstanding dental disinfectant. How often are we given clove dental paste? Always would be a most satisfying answer (at least by conscientious dentists)
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Energetic properties
Act ! Ignite actions ! Start and stop procrastinating ! Diminishes any form of stillness. Eases decision-making. Dynamises and gives energy. Perfect to take 'the bull by the horns'. Abolishes feelings of victimisation : makes you take responsibility and deal with things. Stimulates mental. Encourages to take care of others.
Strongly dermocaustic. No other known contraindications within physiological dosage. Dilute highly for both external and internal use. Keep children out of reach. Children: no other known contraindications within physiological dosage. Pregnant women: do not use (uterotonic). It was thought to be hepatotoxic due to its phenols but it is eugenol and not thymol or carvacrol.
