Calamus Oil

Calamus-bannerOften acclaimed as an ideal herb for meditation and introspection, Calamus is recommended by saints, yogis and Ayurvedic philosophers for enhancing the functions of the brain, improving memory power, increasing intellectual capacity and for stimulating proper circulation to the brain.

The essential oil of Calamus is extracted from the root of the Calamus plant, scientifically known as Acorus Calamus or Sweet flag by steam distillation method.

The Sanskrit name of Calamus is Vacha, which means ‘speech’ and the primordial sages and religious Gurus have believed Calamus to facilitate human beings to articulate from their highest inner consciousness.

Ayurveda recommends Calamus herb for its power to fortify the adrenal gland and for its effectiveness in treating neuralgia, dysmennorhea or painful periods, memory loss, epilepsy, gingivitis, lack of stamina, lymphatic drainage, asthma, hysteria, deafness, sinusitis, lack of consciousness and trauma.

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Historical uses and importance of Calamus root and its essential oil:

Calamus is native to Asia and Europe and has been found growing across Australia, South Africa, North America, New Guinea and Reunion. It has its name mentioned in the Old Testament and was talked about in Exodus as an element of the sacred anointing oil of the Bible.

It was also denoted in the Chester Beatty papyrus VI, which approximately dates back to 1300 BC and Papyrus used Calamus with various other ingredients in preparing a bandage to appease stomach ailments.

Calamus has been a vital part of the traditional healing system of various countries for more than thousands of years in the treatment of numerous medical conditions.

The primeval Egyptians trusted Calamus root as a potent aphrodisiac for its effectiveness in augmenting the health of the reproductive system. Calamus was added to wine in Europe and it also forms a part of absinthe.

The Penobscot people believed that Calamus root helped in healing prolonged sickness that was plaguing the people for a long time. They also steamed all through the homes to ward off illnesses and the dried roots were strung together for preservation.

The people of the Potawatomi community used the dried Calamus root powder for treating catarrh. Indonesians use this aromatic root as a flavoring agent in the preparation of meat, sea foods and other vegetarian cuisines.

The warriors of Teton-Dakota applied the root paste on their faces for alleviating fear in the warfront. Calamus essential oil is also used in making perfumes mainly because of its therapeutic properties.

The traditional Turks used this herb for all kinds of infections and it is used in preparing cough drops. It is also been used in the Traditional Chinese medicine, Siddha and Ayurvedic healing systems for its carminative, laxative, sedative and diuretic properties.

Chemical constituents and healing properties of Calamus essential oil:

The primary chemical components of this oil are beta asarone, eugenol, calamusenone, corenone, alpha aselinene, camphone, alpha calacorene, shyobunone, beta gurjunene, calamendiol and iso shyobunine.

The therapeutic properties of Calamus oil are rejuvenative, circulatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-arthritic, cephalic, nervine, tranquilizing, stimulant, decongestant, anti-rheumatic, emetic, anti-periodic, memory boosting, carminative, stomachic, bactericidal and expectorant properties.

Calamus in Ayurvedic Preparations:

Numerous research reports have proved that Calamus is one the most commonly employed ingredient in plenty of Ayurvedic preparations, mainly because of the presence of essential oils in its rhizomes. Ayurvedic medications like kashayam, choornam, ghritham and tailam contain Calamus and are prepared by following the preparation methods mentioned in Sahasrayoga.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Calamus essential oil:

Calamus essential oil is habitually called as a tonic for the brain in Ayurveda. It has been mentioned in Vedas, the holy books as one of the exceptional medicines and Ayurvedic philosophers explored numerous healing benefits of Calamus apart from supporting the functions of the nervous system and brain, for which Calamus still exists as a vital part of various Ayurvedic medicines since 4,000 years.

Perfect health according to Ayurveda is a triangular structure with body, mind and soul as its edges. It is the oldest of all healing systems on earth and is the pioneer to other traditional and modern medicinal methodologies like Homeopathy, Siddha, Traditional Chinese medicine, Unani, Acupressure and Chiropractic.

The greatest thing about this ancient medicinal science is that its healing techniques are documented systematically since its first recordings in Atharvaveda, one among the 4 Vedas or the major sacred books of the Hindu mythology.

This ancient citation was followed by Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, known as Ayurvedic encyclopedias written by the most respected Ayurvedic philosophers Charaka and Sushruta respectively.

“The three – body, psyche, and soul – act as a tripod. The world stands upon them, and within them, the world abides”, says Charaka Samhita. Ayurveda rightly means ‘the knowledge of life’ and this time-honored remedial method assists in providing the consciousness about life and health in every individual.

Ayurveda states that nature is made up of five fundamental elements namely water, earth, fire, air and space and it is also said that everything in nature is also built up with these five energies. When a person’s health is in balance with nature, absolute health prevails and imbalance with nature owing to food, climatic conditions and lifestyle changes causes illnesses.

Being a holistic curative system, where every person is regarded as a special part of nature with a unique individual constitution just like the fingerprints and it consists of three imperative dynamic energies called as doshas. They are vata, pitta and kapha and are nothing but a representation of any two elements of nature.

Vata dosha is a combination of air and space, and is responsible for respiration, circulation and for the functions of the nervous system. Kapha signifies earth and water, and is in charge for sustenance, physical structure, movement of fluids in the system and the reproductive health.

Pitta symbolizes fire and water and is accountable for body temperature and metabolic functions like digestion, absorption and excretion. Stability between these three doshas signifies perfect health and inequality causes sickness.

Ayurveda recommends natural remedies including herbs, essential oils, simple physical exercises, yoga, prayers, meditation, Pranayama, Ayurvedic routine, Panchakarma (Ayurvedic techniques for detoxification) and Ayurvedic massaging with natural essential oils.

These remedies are prescribed in such a way to correct the unevenness between the doshas. Calamus essential oil is known to aggravate pitta and pacify kapha and vata dosha.

The Ayurvedic health benefits of Calamus oil are:

Calamus-broucher1. Triggers the mind and promotes positive thoughts:

Calamus herb and its essential oil have been witnessed by numerous herbalists and Ayurvedic physicians as an endlessly safe and useful natural remedy for activating the mind and improving the power of thinking.

It is popularly known as a boosting herb for meditating Yogis and Saints, where Calamus is said to help them stay focused and concentrated in their long lasting meditation known as yagna.

Calamus was used in the preparation of tea in the ancient period and was also used in neti pot as a powerful remedy for treating brain conditions. Adding 1 to 2 drops of Calamus essential oil in diffuser, vaporizer, burner or a tissue paper and inhaling the uplifting aroma of this oil can aid in opening the mind, promoting clarity, enhancing the concentration power, mental stability, attention, and the power of positive thinking along with organization of speech.

Learned Ayurvedic research scientist Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa says, “The yogic name, Vacha, means “speech” and refers to its action on the fifth chakra and its propensity to help you speak from your highest consciousness. The complementary energetics makes the combination suitable for a wide variety of people.”

Swami Thirtha calls Calamus as “one of the best mind herbs”, mainly for its effectiveness in fostering sadhaka pitta through which it fortifies the mind’s ability to obtain information and evoke from the memory. The essential oil of Calamus has an invigorating effect on the brain with its warm, woody and medicinal aroma with increasingly sweet after-tones.

Inhaling the therapeutic fragrance of this oil helps in activating the neural pathways and has also been proved powerful in treating neurotic problems. You can also add 2 drops of this oil to warm bathing water for refreshing your mind. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend Vacha oil to persuade positive thoughts.

2. Stimulates the nervous system:

Calamus falls under the ‘sattvic herb’ category in the Ayurvedic medicinal system. All the sattvic varieties are known to enhance and empower the ‘kundalini’ energy or the ‘vital life force’. By this way, Calamus and its essential oil acts as a revitalizing nerve tonic that augments the functioning of the brain.

Massaging your system with 5 drops of Calamus oil mixed with 2 drops of Lavender oil, 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 drops of Yarrow oil, 2 drops of Cinnamon oil and 2 drops of Patchouli oil along with 10 ml of Virgin Olive oil can aid in rejuvenating your brain and the entire nervous system. This assists in stimulating the cerebral functions, support self-expression and overall nervous health. This massage also assists in promoting peaceful sleep and treating insomnia.

Ayurvedic healing system describes this oil as a nervine tonic and a psychotropic remedy, mainly for its positive effects on learning, boosting memory, recovering from shock and treating depression and anxiety. Calamus herb and its essential oil are recommended by Ayurvedic physicians for confiscating the negative effects and toxic residues of drugs (including the heavy use of marijuana) from the fatty tissues left within brain, liver and the nervous system.

By strengthening the nervous system, this oil is also used in recovering from trauma, post-surgery effects, hysteric attacks, epileptics and certain other nervous problems. Due to its potential to contract the blood vessels and decrease pressure on the Ninth cranial nerve, Calamus oil is used in treating neuralgia.

3. Treats memory loss and augments the intellect:

For its memory-enhancing properties, Ayurveda prescribes Calamus oil as an effective psycho-pharmacological agent and the as one of the best natural remedies for treating epilepsy, mental retardation, syncope and stupor, while augmenting memory power and for retrieving people from traumatic problems.

Calamus is used in Ayurveda to counteract the side effects of hallucinogens. This essential oil has been proved to enhance blood circulation, stimulate neurons and nerves, aiding the body to attain steadiness and attentiveness.

4. Alleviates arthritic and rheumatic pain: According to the Ayurvedic philosophy, excess of kapha dosha is responsible for stagnation of toxic substances known as ama, water deposits, salt, uric acid and other fluids in the body, especially in the joints causing pain and inflammation associated with rheumatism. Calamus essential oil is a known Ayurvedic remedy for reducing excess kapha dosha and helps in lessening pain, inflammation and redness by eliminating stagnated fluids and toxic remains through urine and sweat.

Mix 2 drops of Calamus oil with 2 drops of Ginger oil and 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil along with 3 ml of coconut oil and massaging it gently on the painful area helps in promoting blood circulation, alleviating pain, strengthening the muscles, stimulating the nerves and reducing swelling and other symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.

Few other notable health benefits:

With its pungent and bitter taste, Calamus oil is said to have excellent benefits to the respiratory system, nervous system and the digestive system. This oil strengthens the digestive system and treats intestinal worms, abdominal pain, flatulence, loss of appetite, chronic gas trouble and loss of taste. Vacha is used in many Indian homes to treat colic in newborn babies since the primeval times. Calamus essential oil effectively treats sinusitis, cold and bronchitis.

Disclaimer:

This information is only for the purpose of education and is not intended to cure, prevent or diagnose any medical condition. It is not directed as a substitute for any prescribed medication or expert medical advice. We are not medical professionals and this data is shared only for the purpose of throwing light on the ancient healing wisdom or the knowledge of life known as Ayurveda.

Never use essential oils internally and ensure that you use them in a diluted form for external use, as pure and organic essential oils are highly concentrated liquids. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and it is always recommended to do a small patch test on your skin with the diluted essential oil. Speak with your healthcare expert or your Ayurvedic physician before choosing the appropriate essential oils for your unique individual constitution or prakriti and health condition.

Calamus Essential Oil – Possible Skin Issues:

calamusGreener Life Diamond – Bio-Healthy Score => 3 – Possible Skin Issues:

See => http://www.essentialdepot.com/GreenerLifeDiamond.html

The essential oil of Calamus should be strictly avoided during pregnancy as it has the potent to stimulate contractions in the uterine cavity and induce menstruation, being an emmenagogue and might lead to miscarriage or abortion. It is also advisable to restrict the use of Calamus oil during breastfeeding.

Many studies suggest that Calamus oil may have carcinogenic or cancer causing effects and might be toxic when used in excess. The prime chemical constituents responsible for its adverse effects are β-asarone (about 78.4%), α-asarone (about 6.8%) and methyleugenol (about 2%) in Acorus Calamus oil, which is of Indian origin. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have witnessed the negative potent of β-asarone in inducing the growth of malignant tumors.

The European Council files β-asarone as “substances which are suspected to be genotoxic carcinogens and therefore no MDI can be set”. According to the 1988 European Community Council, both the European Union and the United Kingdom ‘Standard Permitted Proportion’ of beta-asarone in food flavorings must be 0.1mg/kg.

IFRA (International Fragrance Association) suggests that beta-asarone and alpha-asarone should not be used as fragrance ingredients and the safe level of use of Calamus oil in consumer products should not exceed 0.01%. It also recommends that the highest concentration of methyleugenol in leave-on products like body lotion should not exceed 0.00004%.

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances and must be used in a diluted condition with safe carrier oils like coconut oil. It is meant only for topical application and it is not recommended to take essential oils internally.

Ingestion of Calamus oil may end up in creating hallucinations, convulsions and potent toxicity. Acorus Calamus is one among the 30 unsafe herbs listed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

According to the studies conducted in 1976 and 1977, Calamus oil is non-phototoxic and non-sensitizing when tested (patch testing with 2% Calamus oil) on 200 consecutive patients with dermatitis.

This warning is relevant to leave-on skin care products like creams, body lotions, massage oils and balms and not for wash-off items like shampoos and soaps.

Reference Links Substantiating the Possible Skin Issues of Calamus Oil:

  1. Acorus Calamus: Scientific Validation of Ayurvedic Tradition from Natural Resources Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Venkatesan Kumar, Mainak Mal & Peter J. Houghton, published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology
  2. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF ACORUS CALAMUS Kumar Amit, Vandana, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, published in the Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics
  3. Acorus Calamus by Examine.com
  4. Effects of asarone and β-asarone on conditioned responses, fighting behaviour and convulsions by P. C. Dandiya and M. K. Menon, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy
  5. Calamus by Drugs.com
  6. Toxicity of Acorus calamus rhizome powder from Eastern Nepal to Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) by R.B. Paneru , G.N.J. le Patourel , S.H. Kennedy published in Science Direct
  7. Acorus Calamus: An overview R. Balakumbahan*, K. Rajamani and K. Kumanan, Horticultural Research Station, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Pechiparai, TN,  India, published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
  8. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals By Robert Tisserand, Rodney Young

Thought for the day:

Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole.  

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Suggested Reading:

  1. Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization by Dr. David Frawley
  2. Herbal Vade Mecum: 800 Herbs, Spices, Essential Oils, Lipids, Etc.-Constituents, Properties, Uses, and Caution by Gazmend Skenderi
  3. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications
    by Christian Ratsch, Albert Hofmann
  4. The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World’s Oldest Healing System by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Michael Tierra
  5. New Choices in Natural Healing: Over 1,800 of the Best Self-Help Remedies from the World of Alternative Medicine by Doug Dollemore

Reference Links:

  1. Acorus Calamus by Wikipedia
  2. Detection of Acorus Calamus in Ayurvedic preparations by Europe PubMed Central
  3. Vacha: Brain Tonic by Dr. R. Vatsyayan, Ayurvedacharya
  4. Clarify Your Communication with Calamus by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa published in 3HO
  5. Herb of the season, Vacha (Calamus, Acorus calamus) by Sai Ayurvedic College
  6. Vacha (Acorus Calamus Linn.): A Valuable Medicinal Plant, published in the International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research


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Clove Leaf Oil

Clove-leaf-bannerAre you on a voyage to turn over a new leaf in your drowning health regimen? Then step into the room of fitness by switching to Clove leaf and its rejuvenative essential oil. Used as a culinary and healing herb across the world, Clove leaves and its unopened flower buds steal the show in treating enormous health conditions.

With the botanical name Syzigium aromaticum (Eugenia caryophyllata), Clove is known in the world of Ayurveda as “Devapushpa”, meaning sacred flower and as “Devakusum”, which means flower of Deities.

Commonly called as Laung in India, Clove leaf and its essential oil have been noted as Vaktra kleda daurgandhya nashana, means it is used medicinally for treating bad breath and problems in the oral cavity.

It is also used in various Ayurvedic treatments of halitosis, sciatica, lumbago, rheumatic problems, tonsillitis, indigestion, bronchitis, asthma, osteoporosis, breathing difficulty, sore throat, premature ejaculation, diabetes, impotence, toothache, gingivitis, periodontitis and few other oral conditions.

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Historical uses and importance of Clove leaf oil:

Clove is an evergreen tree, which is found growing in plenty in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Singapore, Mauritius, Pakistan, Tanzania, and India (Kerala and Tamilnadu). It is indigenous to the celebrated Spice Islands, the Moluccas Islands in Indonesia.

The most popular herbalist, Hildegard of Bingen suggested Clove for treating swelling of the intestines, gout, hiccups and nasal congestion. The Western herbalism used Clove leaf and its flower buds in the treatment of erectile problems, tooth decay, poor circulation, vomiting, bad breath and sluggish digestion.

The use of Cloves in the TCM or the Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back to 207 B.C. Called as Ding xiang, this miraculous herb is being used for alleviating infections in the kidneys, digestive disorders, impotence, nausea, hernia and various skin problems like ringworm and certain other fungal infections. With its warm and acrid properties, Clove was indeed used as a trusted Chinese remedy for fortifying the functions of the spleen, kidneys and the stomach meridians.

The tea prepared with Clove leaf and buds have been used in the Tibetan and other traditional medicines for multiple sclerosis, inflammation and certain autoimmune disorders. The essential oil is also recommended for treating hypnotic muscles, arthritic pain and rheumatic conditions.

Clove is one among those prized natural remedies in Ayurveda and is used topically for treating toothache, oral cavities, chest congestion, improper blood circulation, slow metabolism, bloating, sore throat and cough.

Chewing the fresh leaves and buds of the Clove tree were used as natural breath freshener and is a folklore remedy for fighting against germs, bad breath, intestinal infections and gum problems.

An herbal infusion prepared with Clove leaves and buds powder along with powdered black pepper, dry ginger, and borax is a proven herbal remedy for relieving bronchitis and asthmatic attacks.

Therapeutic properties and chemical constituents of Clove leaf oil:

The essential oil of Clove leaf contains eugenol (about 82 to 88%) as the major ingredient, which contributes to its numerous healing values. Other major chemical components of Clove oil are vanillin, caryophyllene, acetyl eugenol, crategolic acid, beta-caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, bicornin, eugenitin, gallotannic acid, eugenin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, oleanolic acid, rhamnetin, monoterpenes, ketones, aldehydes and certain sesquiterpenes.

The primary therapeutic properties of Clove leaf oil are analgesic, carminative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, digestive, anesthetic, stimulant, appetizing, diaphoretic, aphrodisiac, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic and blood cleansing.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Clove leaf essential oil:

“Knowledge of life” is all the word ‘Ayurveda’ means. Being a holistic healing approach, the wings of Ayurveda covers everything for addressing a human to be healthy, including his physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The most renowned Ayurvedic philosopher Charaka quotes, “The three – body, psyche, and soul – act as a tripod. The world stands upon them, and within them, the world abides.”

Ayurveda regards human body as a temple and trusts that the pure soul dwells in. It aims at maintaining the purity of the soul by keeping the mind, body and spirit clean with clean habits, healthy food regimen, yoga, meditation and prayers for nurturing the mind and the spirit.

The root of Ayurveda is vested with India, the land of the richest and oldest historical values. It is said to be in existence for about 5000 years. This ancient healing methodology states that everything is a part of Mother Nature and is made of the five fundamental elements of nature, including fire, earth, water, air and space.

Ayurveda is a comprehensive healing science that regards every individual as a unique entity, as it strongly believes that no two persons are same in physical, emotional and spiritual aspects. With this firm foundation, Ayurveda prescribes unique remedies for each individual based on their unique individual constitution or doshas (combination of the elements of nature).

The three doshas are vata (air and space), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (earth and water). Every individual is created with a unique combination of these doshas. According to Ayurveda, absolute health means striking perfect balance with nature and sickness or ill-health is an indication that a person is out of balance with nature due to irregular eating routine, change in weather conditions and behavioral changes.

Ayurveda recommends natural medications including Ayurvedic essential oils, Ayurvedic routine, Pranayama or the balanced breathing technique, herbal remedies, Panchakarma or the art of Ayurvedic detoxification, yoga, meditation and prayers based upon an individual’s unique constitution and for treating doshic imbalances.

Clove leaf and its essential oil with the warm and soothing properties assist in augmenting pitta energy and pacifying kapha and vata doshas in excess.

The most predominant Ayurvedic health benefits of Clove leaf oil are:Clove-leaf-broucher1. Excellent support for oral conditions:

The antibacterial and anodyne properties of Clove and its essential oil make it an excellent cure for administering dental emergencies and oral problems. This formula is used in mouthwash liquids, toothpastes and dental creams for fighting against germs, bacteria and other micro-organisms that affect oral health.

A 2006 study conducted by the Kuwait University have witnessed that a medication prepared with Clove is as effective as a benzocaine gel when used as a topical anesthetic for intraoral injections.

The pain-relieving or analgesic properties and numbness or anesthetic properties of Clove leaf oil is attributed to the presence of eugenol component. Numerous research studies conclude that eugenol reveals pharmacological actions on all parts of the human system as it possess anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects.

A recent research based in Argentina has proved that the essential oil of Clove is an effective antiseptic and antimicrobial agent for oral infections and fights effectively against Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus and certain other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Gargling with a cup of warm water infused with 2 drops of Clove leaf oil can help in reducing toothache, discarding bacteria, germs and other hazardous micro-organisms in the mouth. This is an excellent natural remedy for refreshing your breath daily.

Treating your tooth pain even before visiting your dentist is as simple as biting a Clove bud in the painful tooth. You can also add 1 drop of Clove leaf oil in a small cotton ball and keep it on the painful area. This helps in reducing the pain by causing numbness in the painful area.

2. Promising digestive aid:

Clove leaf and the essential oil extracted from these magical leaves is a powerful natural remedy for assisting proper digestion. Being an effective carminative and anthelmintic, Clove leaf oil has the power to enhance the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and support bowel movements along with peristalsis.

Ayurveda states that indigestion is the root cause of many health conditions as it permits the toxic substances to remain in the system thus deteriorating their normal functions. Clove has numerous remedial benefits in Ayurveda for treating digestive disorders.

It is called as chardi for treating vomiting, shula for relieving colic pain in the abdomen, adhmana for its potent against abdominal gaseous distension and bloating, paachana and deepana for augmenting digestive power and ruchya for enhancing taste and relieving tastelessness.

Massaging your abdomen with 2 drops of Clove oil blended with 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil and 1 drop of Ajowan essential oil along with 2 ml of sesame oil can help in stimulating the secretion of bile, hydrochloric acid and other gastric juices responsible for digestion.

This assists in alleviating intestinal gas, abdominal pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting, intestinal worms, sluggish digestion, constipation and bloating. Inhaling the warming aroma by adding 1 drop of Clove leaf oil to a hankie or your wrist especially before eating can support quicker digestion.

3. Heals an extensive range of skin problems:

Clove leaf oil has antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and blood cleansing properties that elates its stand as an excellent remedy for skin problems. Again, eugenol compound plays a vital role in treating skin problems with its antiseptic and antioxidant properties.

The essential oil of Clove is effective against fighting fungi, virus, bacteria and other harmful foreign bodies. Blending 2 drops of Clove leaf oil and 1 drop of Lavender oil with 2 ml of Almond oil or a mild skin care cream and applying on the affected parts can help in treating athlete’s foot, ringworm, acne, wounds, cuts, prickly heat, bruises, scabies, insect stings, stretch marks, puffy skin and wrinkles.

4. Relieves respiratory infections:

Ayurveda beckons Clove as Shwasa for its effectiveness in treating breathing difficulties, asthma and wheezing problems; Kasa for relieving cough and cold and as Kshaya for administering chronic respiratory conditions.

Kapha dosha is a combination of water and earth elements. Excess of which leads to stagnation of water deposits in the system leading to flu, cold, bronchitis, headache, fever and accumulation of phlegm and mucus deposits in the lungs, nasal area and the bronchial passages.

Get ready for an energizing steam inhalation with 2 drops of Clove leaf oil, 1 drop of Ginger oil and 1drop of Spearmint oil for loosening the phlegm accumulation, clearing the blocked nasal and bronchial passages, relieving pain associated with migraine and sinusitis.

Add that extra spice to your vaporizing ointment by adding 2 drops of Clove leaf oil, 1 drop of Citriodora oil, 1 drop of Basil essential oil and massage the chest, throat, back and temples for a quick relief from runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat and headache.

5. Alleviates rheumatic and arthritic pain:

As seen earlier, vitiation of kapha dosha ends up in amassing of water deposits along with the remains of uric acid, toxic substances and salt. This leads to renal calculi or kidney stones and water-borne problems like obesity and rheumatic conditions.

Clove leaf oil has detoxifying and diuretic properties with its power to pacify kapha dosha, which eliminates the toxic remains and excess water deposits by increasing the frequency and quantity of urination.

A gentle massage of the painful parts with 5 drops of Clove leaf oil with 2 drops of   Citronella oil and 2 drops of Peppermint oil along with 50 ml of Coconut oil can work wonders in reducing pain, redness, muscular soreness, swelling, inflammation, irritation and other symptoms related to arthritis and rheumatism.

The most astonishing Ayurvedic truth is that about 70% of toxic substances in the body are eliminated through exhalation and only an average of 30% remains is discarded through sweat and urine. Ayurveda prescribes the practice of Pranayama or the art of balanced yogic breathing for getting rid of the toxic remains in the system.

6.Checks cancerous growths and controls the spread of free radicals:

Clove is called as the Champion of all herbs in fighting against cancer for its high free radical scavenging capacity. Clove oil has antioxidant property that controls the growth of free radicals responsible for cellular damage and cancerous growths.

Generally, the antioxidant capacity of any particular component is measured by its ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity). Amongst all the other essential oils in the world, Clove oil has about 10 million ORAC, which makes it the best antioxidant and is 400 times effective than the leading antioxidant fruit, wolfberry.

When diagnosed in the initial stages, Clove oil has the power to support the treatment of various types of cancer including lung cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer. Adding 3 drops of Clove leaf oil in warm bathing water every morning can help in checking the growth of free radicals.

Massaging your body with 10 drops of Clove leaf oil along with 2 drops of Cinnamon oil, 2 drops of Geranium oil along with 100ml of Apricot Kernel oil can help in controlling the growth of free radicals, delaying the process of aging and enhancing the immune power of the system.

Other health benefits:

Clove is used along with saffron, sandalwood powder and mercuric chloride for treating syphilitic attacks. It has been recommended for treating immune deficiency syndrome, diabetes, dysmennorhea, depression, impotence, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunctions, epilepsy, cholera, sty, stress and parasitic infections. It is also used as a traditional air freshener and an insect repellant for killing household dust mites and red fire ants.

Disclaimer:

This article is only for the use of education and is not recommended as a substitute for prescription medicines or for the advice of a medical professional. We are not healthcare practitioners and this information is shared only with the ultimate idea of spreading the richness and magnificence of Ayurvedic treatment, the mother of all healing methodologies on earth.

Always use essential oils in diluted form for topical application only. Ingesting essential oils is not recommended, as 100 percent pure and organic essential oils are extremely concentrated substances and may harm the skin, the most sensitive and the largest organ of the body.

It is always good to talk with your Ayurvedic expert or medical practitioner before deciding the most appropriate essential oils for your Prakriti or unique individual constitution and your health condition.

Keep essential oils away from children and take special care and medical advice while using essential oils during your pregnancy or nursing period.

Thought for the day:

“Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction”. -By E.O. Wilson.

Suggested Reading:

  1. Cloves by Marian Kim
  2. Clove Oil! Discover The Essential Oil Of Cloves Health Benefits For Toothaches, Acne, Hair & Much More: A Book On Clove Oil Secrets (Natural Health Books Series 1) by Tina Cody
  3. The Green Pharmacy: The Ultimate Compendium Of Natural Remedies From The World’s Foremost Authority On Healing Herbs by James A. Duke
  4. Herbs for Detoxification by C.J. Puotinen
  5. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, Mika Ono

Reference Links:

  1. Clove by Wikipedia
  2. The Healing Properties of Clove Essential Oil by Health Impact News
  3. Antioxidant activity of Clove – A Powerful Antioxidant Source by İlhami Gülçin, Mahfuz Elmastaş, Hassan Y. Aboul-Enein, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
  4. Clove: A Champion Spice by Parle Milind and Khanna Deepa, Pharmacology Division, Dept. Pharm. Sciences (Accredited by NBA), Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India.