Eugenol

Posted on January 21, 2026 by AyurvedicOils

Eugenol is a polyprophene with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂O₂. It is known by various other names such as Eugenic acid, caryophillic acid and allylguaiacol.

It is the major constituent of Clove oil. Eugenol is extracted mainly from the essential oils of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil and bay leaf. Clove is the rich source of Eugenol and in Clove bud oil, it exists to an extent of 80-90% and in Clove leaf oil, it is present to an extent of 82-88%.

Eugenol is also present in the plants wormwood, lemon balm, turmeric, hyssop, oregano, Japanese star anise, dill, vanilla, Bay laurel, Pimenta racemosa, greater galangal, marjoram and celery.

Attributes of Eugenol:

Eugenol is a colorless to light yellow viscous liquid and owns a strong spicy smell, which is indigenous to clove.

As a fragrant and flavoring agent:

It is used to enhance fragrances in perfumes. Eugenol is used in cosmetics as a fragrant additive and denaturants. It is also used in formulation of soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, bath products, after shave lotions, skin and hair care products. Eugenol also serves as a flavoring agent.

As a food preservative:

Clove is used as a food preservative and the ability of clove to prevent the food from spoiling is mainly due to the presence of Eugenol in it. The activity of Lactobacillus sakei and Listeria Monocytogenes present in food are greatly reduced by Eugenol.

Therapeutic uses:

Eugenol has many therapeutic uses as it exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.

As an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory:

As Eugenol is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, it is used in dentistry to destroy the germs and relieve the pain in teeth and gums during tooth extractions, fillings and root canal treatment. It is combined with zinc peroxide to form a filling in root canal treatment and is also used as a local anesthetic in dentistry.

According to the study titled,” Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of eugenol in experimental animal models”, it had been found that eugenol has anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema tests in rats.

Anti-microbial and antifungal properties:

Eugenol possesses antimicrobial and antifungal properties and so it fights against bacteria and reduce the growth of various fungi including Candida albicans. So it is used to fight numerous fungal infections in the skin, ears and vagina. Further, it is also mainly responsible for the antifungal activity of clove oil.

According to a study named,” Eugenol (an essential oil of clove) acts as an antibacterial agent against Salmonella typhi by disrupting the cellular membrane”, the antibacterial property of Eugenol against the bacteria Salmonella typhi was evaluated. Eugenol when treated on Salmonella typhi completely inactivated the bacteria within 60 minutes of exposure.

In the study “Antimicrobial activities of Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde against the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori”, it was found that Eugenol is very efficient against the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for gastric diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric malignancy.

According to the study titled “Investigation on mechanism of antifungal activity of eugenol against Trichophyton rubrum”, the antifungal activity of eugenol against Trichophyton rubrum was examined and it was found that eugenol inhibited the growth of Trichophyton rubrum, mycelia growth and conidial germination.

Thus, eugenol is effective against Trichophyton rubrum which is responsible for dermatophytosis.

Anti-cancer properties:

In the research article, “Eugenol Enhances the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Gemcitabine and Induces Anticarcinogenic and Anti-inflammatory Activity in Human Cervical Cancer Cells “, it was made clear that Eugenol exhibits anticancer properties.

Anti-ulcerogenic properties:

In the study” Preventive effect of eugenol on PAF and ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage”, the anti-ulcerogenic effect of eugenol was examined and it was found that eugenol pretreatment inhibits platelet activating factor and ethanol that were induced on Gastric ulcers. Eugenol reduces the number of ulcers and the gravity of lesions.

Anti-oxidant properties:

Eugenol is a very effective fat-soluble anti-oxidant which inhibits the fat peroxide to accumulate in red blood cells and helps the anti-oxidant enzymes of the body to act at normal level.

In the research article” Assessment of antioxidant activity of eugenol in vitro and in vivo”, the antioxidant activity of eugenol was examined and it was found that it exhibits antioxidant activity by granting protection against free radical mediated lipid peroxidation.

Prevents Cardio-vascular diseases:

Due to its strong antimicrobial properties, Eugenol is one of the efficient blood purifiers. It inhibits the abnormal clotting of blood platelets and it protects the body from cardio-vascular diseases.

Insecticide:

Eugenol serves as an insecticide to destroy pests found mainly in homes and gardens.

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Best Christmas Gift Idea 2012: Adoring Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Posted on January 21, 2026 by AyurvedicOils

Are you thinking ‘What is wrong with me?’ wondering what’s the need for Christmas gift idea now, while there are still 4 full months for December 25^th to knock your door? Come on! This is scorching summer season and to think about something that will enchant your mind, chill your senses and hearten your spirits will certainly be a brilliant idea and nothing else other than Christmas Eve has the glory to splash such joy on you. Sounds great now….. Right!! This is the right time to start your Christmas count down. Every year Christmas is exceptional in its special way. This year, you make it out of the ordinary by gifting your loved ones with warm and healing Ayurvedic essential oils rather than your usual gifts.

Your 2011 Christmas might not have been the same as your 2008 Christmas. You might have missed your loved ones or there might have been a new member to your family last year (baby!), much more adventure and a variety of gifts and that is what Christmas is all about. Make your 2012 Christmas outshine all the other festive seasons that you’ve passed in your lifetime with a wonderful pack of sensational essential oils that can take your entire family out of this world. Yes! There are certain mind-blowing Ayurvedic essential oils that suit everyone and can be used all through the year till the next Christmas comes by your way. Such enlivening essential oils are:

Lavender essential oil: According to me ‘Lavender is the queen of all essential oils’ and is my all-time favorite. How can anyone keep themselves away from this magnificent oil with a mystique fragrance in it? Fill your love in a bottle full of Lavender essential oil that can uplift the spirits and refresh the mind. Wow! The wonderful color, the exuberant aroma, immense health benefits and numerous therapeutic properties like nervine, sedative, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, anti-convulsant and many more make Lavender very special at all the good times and sick times too!
Ylang Ylang essential oil: Nothing can be so very romantic, tender, quixotic, passionate and magical like the transfixing fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil. This oil has emmenagogue, sedative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hypotensive and antidepressant properties that alleviates pain, supports mood fluctuations, controls high blood pressure, aids in frigidity problems, brings down rapid heartbeat and treats your senses.
Rose essential oil: Shakespeare rightly said that ‘Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose’. Very popularly known as the symbol of love all around the universe, Rose essential oil can give you the joy of being together in a garden full of fresh, fragrant roses. Rose oil has been proven effective in treating various health conditions with its aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antiviral, antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, uterine, bactericidal and nervine properties.
Grapefruit essential oil: Grapefruit oil with its light and fresh aroma is trusted to have great effects in shedding the extra pounds of the body. Any weight loss program with essential oils cannot get fulfilled without Grapefruit essential oil. It is also an excellent skin toning agent and natural skin purifier.

Apart from these essential oils, you can also include Peppermint essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil, Sweet orange essential oil or Jasmine essential oil as per the preference of your near ones.

Love is known only when it is shown. Express your unconditional love this Christmas season with the never-ending bliss of these Ayurvedic essential oils gift pack. There’s nothing to get surprised if the love of your life asks for one the next Christmas also. Wait and watch!!!

Merry Christmas and let it be a Mesmerizing Christmas as well.

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Ayurvedic Remedies For Weight Loss: Where Obesity Turns Obsolete Naturally

Posted on January 21, 2026 by AyurvedicOils

Obesity has become a common phenomenon and is spreading like forest fire among the younger generation. Numerous studies have revealed that unhealthy and irregular eating habits and lack of physical exercises are the two major reasons sowing the seed for the tree of obesity to attain its fuller growth. If unchecked and treated at the initial stage, obesity can spread its harmful roots and give its love to other health complexities like diabetes or high blood sugar, liver disorders, heart attack resulting from stroke, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis and other joint disorders, sleep apnea, increased blood cholesterol, gallstones and difficulty in accomplishing tasks than the person with normal body weight.

Many of us confuse obesity and overweight. Overweight may be due to the increased weight of bone, muscle, excess fat or water whereas obesity indicates the surplus amount of body fat. Both the terms share the common meaning of excess weight in a person’s body than the actual weight he/she is supposed to be according to their BMI (Body Mass Index).

Ayurvedic remedies for weight loss: Obesity is treated using various therapies in Ayurvedic treatment. Initially you will be facilitated to take up your first Ayurvedic consultation with the Ayurvedic practitioner, where your pulse, eye sight, breathing mechanism, palm and tongue are tested to trace out your doshas also known as psychosomatic structure. After which the complete medical history of you and your family as well your customary habits and emotional stability are drawn.

It is at this stage, the Ayurvedic expert explores the actual root cause for your obesity or overweight based upon on the findings of your first consultation. Ayurveda trusts in uniqueness of an individual and suggests a healthy diet, meditation, regular physical exercises and yoga for your complete robustness along with the relevant Ayurvedic medication.

A hearty eating habit: Even before prescribing the medicines for your condition, Ayurveda highly insists on practicing a healthy eating habit with fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, Ayurvedic drinks like ginger tea with lemon and more. This divine science directs you to take small portions of meal instead of single hefty meal and always remember to take rich food items during the lunch as the fire for digestion is at its fullest potential during noon. Chew your food thoroughly instead of blind swallowing as it encourages easy digestion restricting the unused particles to get stored in your body.

Water is your best mate and obesity’s worst fate: Drink as much as water you can as this elixir of life has the power to remove the unwanted materials and toxins from your body, allowing it to glow naturally.

Ayurvedic medication: Ayurveda suggests the use of herbal medications made with garcinia, licorice, ginger, rhubarb, coriander, triphala, cumin, shilajit, fennel, guggulu, turmeric, bhibitaki, tulasi or gokshura seed based upon your predominant dosha types. Most of the above herbs work in a way to augment the digestive fire (Agni) and support quicker and complete digestion essential for weight loss. Apart from these herbs the Ayurvedic professional may also prescribe the use of Ayurvedic essential oils like Bergamot oil, Grapefruit oil, Peppermint oil, Cypress oil, Rosemary oil, Thyme oil, Lemongrass oil, Orange oil, Fennel oil and Juniper oil for fighting the general fat deposits in your body and prevent the future fat deposits also.

There’s nothing to weep or worry. First understand that obesity is a universal condition and you are not its unique victim. It’s time to pack up the problems that obesity has presented you and give it ten times back to the environmental forces that made you feel shy and uncomfortable in your day to day living. Yes! The ready redeemer for all these burning problems is Ayurveda, the incredible science of human life.

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