Clove tree - Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et L. M. Perry
Myrtle family (Myrtaceae)
The centre of origin of the clove tree is a volcanic island chain, located west of New Guinea, where even today there are still wild clove trees. From there it went south to the Ambon and Seram islands where it was gradually domesticated. Today, the clove tree is grown as a crop in many tropical countries. The epithet aromaticum describes the intense, aromatic scent of the leaves. The evergreen clove tree is 20m high, bears leathery, glossy leaves and whitish-pink flowers in three triple-forked cymes.
The dried flower buds ("cloves") with its distinctive scent, which is clearly perceived when rubbed, are used. An essential oil is created ("clove oil"), located in major oil chambers in the flower tissue. The commercially available drug, which is also used as a flavouring, is from Madagascar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Zanzibar, Pemba, Sri Lanka and South American imports.
Cloves contain an essential oil ("clove oil"), with its aromatic odour of eugenol (main component), as well as flavonoids and tannins.
The quality of the following drugs or drug preparations is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur):
Just the essential oil and the eugenol isolated from it are used for medicinal purposes. Clove oil is used locally for inflammatory lesions of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and in dentistry for local analgesia (Commission E).
Prepared drugs: see package insert;
Otherwise, rinse the mouth several times daily with diluted mouthwash; undiluted clove oil is used as a local analgesia in dentistry.
Undiluted clove oil can cause tissue irritation.
Not known
Commission E, WHO (Vol. 2)
Wichtl: Teedrogen und Phytopharmaka, pg. 154
Schilcher: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, pg. 106
Van Wyk: Handbuch der Arzneipflanzen, pg. 315
Kommentar zum Europäischen Arzneibuch (Cloves, no. 0376)
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