Syzygium aromaticum aka Eugenia caryophyllata buds, water distilled, from Singapore. It's water distilled (not steamed) and comes from a pyramid-shaped strongly aromatic tropical tree that can grow up to 50 feet high.
Aroma: Clove Bud essential oil smells spicy, warming yet slightly bitter, woody, reminiscent of true clove buds, but richer. A fruity fresh top note and a characteristic spicyness, and with aging, a wine like note develops. Delicately balanced with other oils it can create a transition from a fresh, fruity, spicy note to a warmer, more woody, but still spicy dry out. It can be combined with vanilla to produce a carnation like note.
History: The word clove comes from the Latin word clavus, meaning nail, since the shaft and head of the clove bud resembles a nail. Cloves and nutmeg were among the most precious of items of Europe of the 16th and 17th centuries, and they were worth more than their weight in gold.
Common Uses: Clove bud essential oil is an effective agent for minor pains and aches (particular dental pain), and is helpful when battling flus and colds. Possible Uses: Arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, sprains, strains, toothache. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 59-62.]
Constituents: Eugenol, eugenyl acetate, caryophyllene, isocaryophyllene. [B. Lawrence, "Major Tropical Spices - Clove," Essential Oils, 1977, 84-145, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 157.]
Colour: Golden Yellow/Brown
Consistency: Medium, Slightly Oily
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Cautions: Clove Bud oil can cause sensitization in some and should be used in dilution. It should also be avoided during pregnancy. It can cause skin irritation and should be avoided in bath blends.
Safety Information: Mucous membrane and dermal irritant. Avoid in alcoholism, in haemophilia, in prostatic cancer, with kidney and liver problems and if taking anticoagulants. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 131.]
Factoids:
~ Results of bioassays showed that clove oil was highly toxic against scabies mites. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0012079
~ Clove essential oil killed more than 60 types of bacterial strains, 15 strains of fungi plus several viruses. (Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2004)
~ Clove essential oil reduced Candida by 75% after 8 days - as effectively as Nystatin! Nystatin is the most common antifungal drug used to treat Candida. (Journal of Drug Targeting, 2005)
Diffusing a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary oils can kill 99% of airborne bacteria in 12 minutes? Incredible! (I can make you a customizable blend called Bandit's Blend - just order 10ml of the clove bud oil and tell me what you want and why in the comments with your order).
Clove oil is approved as a dental anesthetic by the many dental associations!
Clove has the largest antioxidant value of any single essential oil known. ORAC Value 1,078,700 µTE/100g Compare to spinach = 1,260
Photo thanks to tinofrey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
