Spices, Plants and Natural Remedies >>Clove

Clove (laung) is an expensive spice. It is highly valued for its medicinal value. It is excellent for chest congestion, cold and cough. A few cloves mixed in tea water, is good remedy for headaches. Clove oil is antiseptic in nature and brings relief to pain in teeth and gums. It cures stomach cramps and digestion problems. It is used as a condiment to flavour tomato ketchup and soups.

It is generally added to lend a rich taste to vegetable gravies.

• Take a few pieces of clove and wrap in a thin muslin cloth. Tie the mouth with a thread. Sprinkle a few drops of water on this small bag. Suspend this bag near the rim of the soup or vegetable you are cooking. This will lend a pleasing, clove flavor to the dish.
  
• Add clove while cooking halwa, kheer and other sweet dishes.
  
• Clove makes a good beauty aid. It clears pimples and blemishes. Crush a few cloves and mix with rose water. Apply the paste thinly over face and let dry. Splash cold water and pat dry. Regular use will clear the skin and also tone it up.