Eugenia caryophyllata – nail powder

This very fine powder is ideal for flavoring sauces, pastries, spice blends, or comforting infusions. It is also used in some natural healing traditions as an aromatic powder to be incorporated into poultices or homemade mouthwashes.

Description

Dark brown, very fine powder with a warm, pungent, spicy aroma characteristic of cloves.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Clove, cloves
• Latin name: Eugenia caryophyllata (syn. Syzygium aromaticum )
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Part used: Flower bud (nail)
• Form: Powder
• Origin: Madagascar, Indonesia, Comoros
• English name: Ground clove
• Name in German: Gewürznelkenpulver
• Name in Spanish: Clavo molido
• Name in Italian: Chiodi di garofano in polvere
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق القرنفل (Masḥūq al-Qaranfoul)

Main virtues

Clove powder is known for its invigorating, stimulating, and aromatic properties. It can be used in small amounts to enhance dishes, flavor infusions, or create natural treatments with warming notes.

Main constituents

Eugenol (essential oil), eugenyl acetate, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per cup, infuse for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Cooking: in pastries, curries, stews or sauces.
• Traditional use: mouthwash or diluted local application (external use only).

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Very concentrated, dose with caution.
• Not recommended for pregnant women without professional advice.
• May irritate mucous membranes when used neat: always dilute or mix.

History and origin

Ground cloves have been a prime spice since the Middle Ages, both for their aromatic power and their ancient medicinal uses. Originally from the Moluccas, they are now a staple in cuisines around the world.

Miscellaneous information

• Packaging: kraft bag, airtight box or glass jar.
• Storage: dry, away from heat and light.
• Appearance: dark brown powder, very fine.
• Smell: powerful, warm and spicy.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Global Aromatic Corpus
• Phytogastronomy Manual
• Culinary and ethnobotanical herbalism

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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