Cloves explained

What are cloves?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree and have been used as a spice for centuries. The characteristic warm, spicy fragrance and flavour appear frequently in the kitchen, for example in gingerbread spice mixes, stews and hot drinks. Cloves are also sometimes incorporated into herbal blends and supplements.

In a food supplement, cloves usually appear in small amounts as part of a broader herbal formula. The form is measured according to the label, and is not the same as the loose spice from your kitchen cupboard. Cloves are not a miracle remedy; they can be part of a mindful, temporary routine, but they do not take over the body's natural processes.

Kitchen spice and traditional use

Many people know cloves primarily as a kitchen spice. As a seasoning it adds flavour and aroma to dishes and drinks, and in that form it is a familiar part of a varied diet. The fact that cloves are also traditionally used in herbal blends means something different from a medically proven effect: tradition speaks to habit and use over the years, not to demonstrated health effects.

It is worth keeping this distinction in mind. A spice you know from the kitchen may have a different emphasis and a different concentration in a supplement. Always read what a product is intended for and what role cloves play in it, rather than assuming what you know about the kitchen variety applies.

Difference between spice and supplement

The cloves in your spice rack and the cloves in a supplement are not simply interchangeable. In a supplement the amount is measured and often more concentrated than what you normally use in a dish. Always follow the label and do not use a supplement as if it were an ordinary kitchen spice.

What cloves can and cannot do

It is important to keep realistic expectations. Cloves, as part of a well-considered herbal formula, can fit within a mindful lifestyle and support normal bodily processes. What a spice in a supplement does not do is resolve complaints, fully cleanse the body, or address illness. The body has its own natural processes for processing and elimination, carried out by the liver, kidneys and intestines.

Do not expect a standalone effect from cloves. At best they work in a supportive role within a whole: a temporary, mindful course in combination with sufficient water, fibre-rich nutrition, exercise and rest. Those who expect more will be disappointed; those who use them soberly will maintain realistic expectations.

Safe use

If you are using a product containing cloves, first read the full ingredient list and the warnings on the packaging. Follow the recommended dosage and do not take more than indicated; more is not better. Treat a course as temporary and not something you continue indefinitely.

• Suitability: not intended for children and not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Medication use: consult a doctor or pharmacist first, as herbs can influence medication or sensitivities.
• Dosage: follow the label and do not exceed the recommended amount.
• Lifestyle: cloves fit within a healthy lifestyle and are not a substitute for food or medical advice.

If you would like to know how to sensibly build up and wind down a course of herbal formulas in general, read our guide on using a detox course safely.

When not to use?

A product containing cloves is not suitable for everyone or in every situation. Do not use it for children and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you have a known allergy to cloves or related spices, you should of course avoid it. If you have digestive complaints, a chronic condition or use medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Stop if you experience unwanted or unexpected reactions and contact a doctor or pharmacist. Also, do not combine herbal supplements with each other without advice. When in doubt, the rule always applies: consult first, then decide.

Cloves in our products