December is time
for the holidays, time for family get togethers and sitting around a
lovely fire with a cup of hot Chai tea. One of my favorite
teas is Chai tea and one of its ingredients is this month’s Herb of
the Month – Cloves, Eugenia aromatica.
Cloves, the dried
buds of the Eugenia aromatica tree, originated in Southeast
Asia and have hence been cultivated in wet, tropical climates.
While many of us have used cloves for culinary purposes (quite
delicious when poked into your baked ham), some may not be
familiar with the medicinal qualities of this aromatic herb.
As I mentioned, I
include it in my Chai tea for its unique flavor as well as its
ability to aid digestion, prevent flatulence and increase
circulation. Cloves are antiseptic and mildly anesthetic. You
might have used clove oil, or the dried clove itself directly on a
tooth for a toothache. Cloves are also used to allay nausea
and vomiting.
This little
aromatic bud can be used as a stimulant, to increase one’s
circulation and help with digestion and digestive disorders.
So when thinking of spicy, aromatic herbs for the holidays, think of
cloves, not only to decorate or embellish an orange, but consider
its many long term medicinal uses.
