Cloves are a mainstay in my elderberry syrup recipe for their terrific anti-inflammatory benefits. Why is that important? Keeping your body free of inflammation now means less chronic illness and disease later. You can find bulk cloves (and other elderberry syrup ingredients) on Amazon..
Cloves are dried flower buds from tries indigenous to Asian countries like Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and even areas of East Africa.
Ever since the 13th and 14th centuries, cloves have been extremely expensive. Such a valuable spice that both the Dutch and Portuguese tried to control the monopoly of the trade and waged war with locals as a result. Today, clove continues to be the 4th most expensive spice in the world behind saffron, vanilla and cardamom.
2 major benefits of clove in my elderberry syrup blends so powerful:
1. Cloves are anti-inflammatory. Clove can help our bodies deal with this issue because of the high amounts of eugenol. When our inflammation is out of control, chronic illness and disease set in. Eugenol is also antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral so it’s a 3 for 1 compound!
2. Cloves boost immune function. Cloves are nutrient-dense with a ton of antioxidant properties (antioxidants protect our cells from damage and prevent things like chronic disease and illnesses)! Minerals in cloves include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and zinc. The vitamins found in them include vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin K. And because of eugenol (reference in #1), we are supported in antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal ways. Cloves also contain flavonoids like kaempferol and rhamnetin which have similar properties to eugenol.
Can you taste the cloves in my blend? Tell us over in our Facebook community!
Best in health,
