Pharmacological Action of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Abstract

Syzygium aromaticum or Clove has been used traditionally as a spice for thousands of years, and provides a rich and spicy addition to our favourite recipes. Cloves are also essential in the manufacturing of herbal medicine such as Indian Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese medicine. Phenolic compounds such as eugenol show antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity. Constituents of the oil also include methyl amyl ketone, methyl salicylate, α and β-humulene, benzaldehyde, β-ylangene and chavicol.