According to Wikipedia, Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) in Indonesia and are commonly used as a spice, flavoring or fragrance in consumer products, such as toothpaste, soaps, or cosmetics.
Clove is called different names in various languages such as ding xiang (Mandarin Chinese), laung (Hindi), clavo (Spanish), clou de girofle (French), chiodo di garofano (Italian), qurnafl (Arabic), and nelke (German). In Nigeria, the Yoruba tribe call Cloves, Konafuru, the Igbos call it Nchara, kloovu, while the Hausas call it kanumfari.
Cloves can also be in the form of garlic. Garlics are tiny lobes, in different segments, called cloves. Each segment is called clove, while the whole bulb of a certain number of cloves, is called a garlic.
The garlic plant is from the Allium (onion) family, and it is closely related to onions, shallots, and leeks.
A single clove or lobe (3 grams) of raw garlic contains the following;
Manganese: 2% of the daily value (DV)
Vitamin B6: 2% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin C: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
Selenium: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
Fiber: 0.06 grams
Garlics also contain 4.5 calories, 0.2 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbs, and other nutritional content.
Ginger, on the other hand, is a reddish-brown pungent aromatic rhizome, used as a spice, as a stimulant, and as an acarminative. Ginger is a rhizome, that is to say, it is like the combination of a tuber and bulb plant, and it grows underground. Ginger is often used as an acarminative, as it prevents the development of gas in the digestive tract, causing bloating. Ginger is called “Ata-ile”, in the Yoruba language, it is also called “Jinja” in the Igbo dialect, while it is called “Chita”, in Hausa.
One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains;
Calories: 6
Carbs: 1 gram
Fiber: 1 gram
Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin K: 2% of the Daily Value (DV)
The following are the health benefits of incorporating the ginger, garlic and clove combo, in one’s tea.
Ginger and cloves are potential fat-burners, in different parts of the body. These spices promote feelings of fullness, thereby causing one to eat less frequently. These combinations in one’s tea aid digestion, as I have stated earlier, Ginger is often used as an acarminative, as it prevents the development of gas in the digestive tract, causing bloating. These combinations further increase thermogenesis, which reduces the constant feeling of hunger, as the body generates heat, thereby causing one to eat less.
Studies in humans and rodents like rats show that this combo help in significantly reducing markers of Oxidative stress, that overwhelm one’s body, and thereafter it boosts the levels of defense enzymes.
Ginger, garlic, and cloves help in relieving menstrual pain. Based on a study, more than 60% of women felt that consuming ginger helped to lessen their pain.
Incorporating these wonders into one’s tea has proven to benefit brain health by protecting against cognitive decline and improving cognitive function, based on the research conducted in China, in 2019.
Ginger and garlic may help to reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood lipid levels and, also help to protect against heart diseases.
According to some research, consuming ginger and garlic may improve the blood flow to the testis, thereby improving the level of testosterone.
Gingers, garlic, and cloves help with diabetes, as they help in reducing the blood sugar level, of diabetic patients.
Garlic and ginger may benefit the immune system by decreasing inflammation and enhancing the function of the immune cell. Even at that, this concept is not totally proven, as research in this area is limited and scientists need to conduct more studies on humans.
They are also used in treating illnesses like colds, flu, high cholesterol, and even fatty liver.
Ginger, garlic, and cloves have been noted to boost ovulation, which is the rate at which the ovaries release eggs. It also helps to keep menstruation in check. Therefore, ginger, garlic, and cloves are perfect combinations for fertility. With them, a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant increase. Apart from its benefits for women, it also helps in improving the sexual stamina of men.
Incorporating gingers, garlic and cloves help the liver in detoxification, that is, breaking down harmful substances in the body, to be passed out as waste.
Gingers, garlic, and cloves appear to improve erectile dysfunction.
Other benefits include being used as spices when cooking, and they can also be used for their antiseptic qualities, in treating skin conditions, especially their oils.
Some of the disadvantages of this combo in one’s tea include the following;
The tea when taken close to a lady’s period date, can cause heavy menstrual flow.
The combination of these, in one’s tea, can induce miscarriage, in a pregnant woman.
This combination gives a PH higher than 5, therefore it is acidic and can worsen Ulcer conditions.
This mixture can further cause allergic reactions, such as vomiting, anxiety, restlessness, drop in blood pressure, and among others.
Consuming ginger water can cause burning sensations in one’s mouth.
The sulfur compound component present in garlic, gives the consumer of this combo, a mouth odor.
The intake of ginger can increase the risk of bleeding if there is an underlying bleeding disorder.
