Clove, it's not just for pumpkin pie!

Although most spices are an excellent source of antioxidants, cloves rank as the richest source of them all. The abundant health benefits of cloves have been well known for centuries. Antioxidants protect your cells against oxidative stress from free radical damage. Free radicals are highly-reactive oxygen molecules in your cells, created as a byproduct of your metabolism; a surplus of free radicals is considered to be the primary cause of the aging process.

Protecting yourself against free radicals with antioxidants is the most effective way to reduce the risk of many health problems associated with aging. Antioxidants are known to provide powerful protection against all types of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, and many more.

Antioxidants work together, synergistically, and each one has its own specific characteristics and benefits. One antioxidant may work in places in the body where another one can't go, and neutralize free radicals that other antioxidants miss.  Because of this, it is very important to get the widest variety of antioxidants into your system.  In this case variety really is the spice of life!

In addition to clove's benefit as an antioxident, it also works quite well as a curative for a variety of conditions.  Cloves can effectively cure many digestive problems like stomach ulcers, flatulence and dyspepsia, since they stimulate your body's enzymes and boost digestion.  Cloves are useful in relieving the symptoms of indigestion and nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, gastric irritability and vomiting.

Because of the antiseptic and germicidal benefits of cloves, Aromatherapists often use clove oil to treat the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. The aromatic clove oil, when inhaled, can help relieve certain respiratory conditions like coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis.

The analgesic property of clove oil can be used for treatment of various dental problems like tooth aches. Clove oil is also used to relieve pain from sore gums and improves overall dental health. The antiseptic properties of clove oil are why it's a common ingredient in various dental creams, toothpastes, mouth wash, and throat sprays.

Cloves also contain a variety of flavonoids which contribute to clove's anti-inflammatory properties. Clove and clove oil are antiseptic in nature and work as an effective remedy for some common problems such as cuts, fungal infections, burns, wounds, athlete's foot and bruises.

Finally, clove and clove oil boost the immune system by acting as a natural blood purifier. 

Clove truly is an antioxidant powerhouse!

So whether you put a drop of clove oil in your tea or use clove in your favorite pumpkin pie, know that you are doing your body well!