Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, लौंग, लवंग)

by Dr. Hema D. Sane

Syzygium means paired, the leaves and the branches are in pairs hence the genus Syzygium – having aroma so the adjective aromaticum.

Clove is the french name means nail, having short stalk and globular head.

Cloves are actually the unopened buds, the stalk like part is partly stalk the lower region while, while the upper portion is ovary. Soak the clove for an hour and then cut lengthwise you will find a chamber and a tiny undeveloped ovule inside. The four triangular appendages above are the four calyx teeth, the globular structure between these are crumpled petals and even the number of stamens enclosed.

Molluca Islands is the native place of clove, from this motherland it came to India and Dutch took it to Africa. Zangibar is now the record producer of cloves. The clove plants are trees. It is said that inorder to flourish “The tree must be able to see the sea.” In the coastal areas and also in the nearby regions of Kerala and Karnataka clove is one of the plantation crops.

Once upon a time clove trade was a monopoly of Molluca islands the island known as spice island. From here the the French officials took it to Zingiber – an Island near east coast of Africa is the largest clove producer of the world. Molluca islands were first under the control of Portugal, later on were taken up by Dutch. French stole the saplings and took them to Africa, Zanzibar.

Uses: Clove is one of the ingredients of curry powder. It is as pungent as chilli. Rather more pungent, hence the most pungent form is called “Lavangi Mirchi” लवंगी मिरची.

– Cloves are used as medicine, specially in toothpaste as the clove oil i.e. Eugenol is antiseptic and antibacterial.

– In Indonesia cloves are ingredient of Cigarettes.

– In microscopic preparation, clove oil is used as clearing agent.

– In religious functions specially in पूजा i.e. worshiping cloves are required. They are called श्रीपुष्प.