It is not uncommon to see the holiday ham studded in clove buds. So why do they do it? Is it for flavoring or something else? Well it may not have been so much about the spicy flavor as it was to preserve the meat. It turns out that cloves are a natural preservative. They may have started doing it to make the meat last longer. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC/articles/PMC5486105).
While clove oil can come in either leaf, stem, or bud distillation in aromatherapy we use only the bud (Syzygium aromaticum). This is because the others are too high in Eugenol. Eugenol is a chemical found in Clove Oil, it is a Phenol and as such is a skin irritant and an effective bactericidal treatment. This makes it too strong for most skin applications.
The use of clove spice goes back to 3rd century BC in trade accounts of Hang China. Clove is a well- established remedy in Chinese medicine for over two millennia. As an oil it gives us a sweet woody fragrance that can readily transcend deep into the body’s core. It has been used for alleviating toothache, and also for the prevention of the spread of contagious diseases such as plague. It is still widely used today in modern pharmaceuticals.
Since this oil has a strong bactericidal and analgesic activity it should be used sparingly for topical blends. It can cause irritations and sensitization. It should never be used in baths or for massaging. Best to use with blends and never more than 0.5 to 1% strength for this reason.
Also be careful if taking certain medications as it can inhibit blood clotting and should never be used on people with epilepsy.
In Chinese medicine it is used to tonify Yang, warms the kidneys and strengthens the Shen and libido. It warms and harmonizes the stomach, descends rebellious Qi and relieves vomiting and pain. It warms and harmonizes the middle warmer, and relieves pain and distension. Warms and activates the lower warmer, breaks up stagnation, promotes menstruation and relives pain.
Some popular uses: analgesic, antispasmodic, stimulating, antiviral, bactericidal, raises blood pressure, antioxidant, strong air antiseptic, stimulates secretions, tonic, uterine tonic.