Cloves

Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the family myrtaceae syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia but it is an important spice product used in cuisines all over the world. Cloves are a very common type of spices that are extensively used for cooking and other purposes. It is also prominently used in Cigarettes to add flavour. It is used to make oil, as an antiseptic and even for other medicinal purposes. Its flavour is due to the presence of a compound called Eugenol (composition varies from 70 – 90%) which has a very strong aroma. Apart from the seasoning benefits, Cloves are also well known for their health benefits and have been traditionally used as a component in preparing remedies for many diseases.

Cloves provide relief from toothache (1) and this is one of the main reasons why you will see them listed as an Ingredient in 99% of toothpastes.

Clove oil is a colorless or slightly yellowish liquid becoming darker with age and exposure to light.it has a numbing effect in mouth tissues. Cloves are also used in Indian ayurvedic medicine, Chinese ayurvedic medicine and western herbalism and dentistry where the essential oil is used as an anodyne (pain killer) for dental emergencies.

Cloves are considered a minor export agriculture product in Sri Lanka.it is cultivated primarily in the central and sabaragamuwa provinces of the country. The srilankan cloves season begins in November and lasts for an year relying on the quantity. The average annual total output on a good season is estimated to be around 4000-5000mt.