Clove (Laung, Lavanga)

During the 16^th and 17^th centuries, Portuguese, French and Dutch, all fought to control the trade of this amazing spice. The Arabs tried to keep the origins of their Clove cargo a closely guarded secret. Columbus sailed west in search of this aromatic spice and found the West Indies. Few years later, Vasco da Gama sailed around Cape of Good Hope to India searching for this same spice.

That’s the power of Cloves.

Cloves are unopened flower buds of a very attractive evergreen tree. Clove buds are picked when they reach the full size and just about to turn pink. Once picked, the buds are dried in the Sun, at which point they turn reddish brown in color. Cloves derive their name from Latin “clavus” meaning “nail”. To me it looks more like an engagement ring with some clasps . In Sanskrit, it is aptly called “DevaKusuma”, meaning divine flower.

Cloves work as an astringent, a stimulant, a rejuvenator and an aid to digestion. They help stop nausea and are used to cure cold and cough. They are considered good for eyes and hiccups. Cloves increase blood circulation and also is sometimes used to relieve stomach pains.Cloves are well known for their antiseptic properties and are used is making toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Clove tea is used as a stress buster and for treatment of depression. Steep some cloves in hot water to make Clove tea. This aromatic and warming tea is used to get relief from nausea during travel and it also encourages the body to sweat which is helpful in fever.Clove tea compress is also used to get relief from sore muscles.

One of most attractive avatar of Cloves is Pomanders (also called Clove Oranges. It’s the most aromatic, easiest and natural potpourri that you can make in 15 min. It’s a nice project for kids, a perfect gift for anyone, anytime.

Béchamel sauce one of the mother sauces in French cuisine, is traditionally made with something called Onion piqué (pee-kay). Onion piqué is simply a peeled, raw onion that is studded with bay leaves and cloves. Onion piqué is a simple way to flavor sauces and soups.

It’s amazing how much flavor and aroma Mother Nature has packed in this tiny, unopened flower. Mother Nature sure is very humbling and awe-inspiring.