Extracted from a plant is an essential oil known as Clove Oil. This oil is derived from a plant known as “clove” belonging to the “Syzygium aromaticum” species in the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil is used in aromatherapy as well as used as a flavouring agent in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, this oil is also used as an anesthetic agent to anesthetize a laboratory fish. It is also said that this oil does possess several properties that can have beneficial effects on health. However, there is no sufficient evidence available suggesting that this oil does comprise of a number of therapeutic properties.
A. Chemical constituents of Clove Oil:
This oil is derived from “clove” plant which belongs to the “Syzygium aromaticum” species within the plant kingdom. In addition, this oil can be extracted from three parts of the plant and they are as follows:
- Bud oil: This oil is derived from the bud of the “Syzygium aromaticum” plant and comprises of organic compounds such as eugenol, acetyl eugenol, caryophyllene, and other constituents.
- Leaf oil: This oil is extracted from the leaf of the “Syzygium aromaticum” plant and consists of organic compounds such as eugenol, eugenol acetate, and other minor constituents.
- Stem oil: This oil is extracted from the stem of “Syzygium aromaticum” plant and comprises of organic compound such as eugenol mainly.
B. The uses and benefits of Clove oil:
There are a number of benefits to health that one can reap if this oil used appropriately. However, one should also consider the adverse reactions or side effects reported from its use:
- Antiseptic: This oil contains properties that are capable of inhibiting the growth of disease causing organism, and thereby help in the treatment of open wounds.
- Digestion: By “maintaining a normal GI system” when used this oil helps resolves issues related to digestion.
- Anti-cancerous: This oil also comprises of properties capable of inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells, and thereby serving as an “anti-cancerous” agent.
- Insect repellant: This oil comprises of a strong “odour” that helps in driving out many insects, and thereby serve as an “Insect repellant”.
- Flavouring agent: This oil comprises of properties that can add rich flavours to food, and thereby serve as a flavouring agent.
C. The adverse effects of the Clove Oil:
Along with the benefits there are a number of adverse effects that the use of the oil also entails. They are as follows:
- The inappropriate use of this oil could lead to stimulation of abnormal bleeding, and hence must be handled with care.
- This oil if not used in the proper dosage could also lead to teeth damage, and hence the necessary precautions must be taken before using it.
- The use of this oil could also lead to skin rashes especially in those individuals who have sensitive skin.
