How are cloves used in dentistry?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

March 11, 2003

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Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & LM Perry. The flower buds have been part of the spice trade for thousands of years, originally caravanned across Asia from their homeland in the Molucca Islands.

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Clove flower buds have been part of the spice trade for thousands of years, originally caravanned across Asia from their homeland in the Molucca Islands. Spices of Nutmeg, Tumeric, Chilli, Cinnamon, Cloves, Star Anise & Cumin, Indonesia Framed Photographic Print by  Jerry Alexander Buy Framed Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

John Gerard wrote of cloves calling the trees, Caryophylli veri Clusij or the true Clove tree as determined by Clusius. Gerard recommended "Cloves strengthen the stomacke, liver, and heart, helpe digestion....The Portugall women that dwell in the East Indies draw from the Cloves when they bee set yet greene, a certaine liquor by distillation, of a most fragrant smell, which comforteth the heart, and is of all cordials the most effectuall. There is extracted...a certaine oile...wherewith the Indians do cure their wounds and other hurts..." (The Herbal or General Historie of Plants, 1633 edition)

The "certaine oile" of cloves is aromatic, its primary constituent is eugenol or 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol (Merck Index, 11th ed, 1989). The primary use of oil of cloves in medical history was to aid digestion and "settle" the stomach, allaying nausea and vomiting. The oil is an irritant; used medicinally as a counter-irritant, the oil creates an analgesic effect (pain relief). Oil of cloves became a topical treatment for toothache.

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Oil of cloves did not simply ease toothache; it proved to fight oral bacteria. The direction of dentistry changed from removing bad teeth to saving teeth. The Tooth Extractor Giclee Print by  Theodor Rombouts Buy Giclee Print at AllPosters.com

Oil of cloves did not simply ease toothache; it proved to fight oral bacteria. The Physicians Desk Reference (1998) states, "Clove oil is used for inflammation of the mouth and throat and mouth ulcers, and as a local analgesic and dental antiseptic." The direction of dentistry changed from removing bad teeth to saving teeth.

Eugenol refined from oil of cloves, is a constituent of dental paste. "Eugenol...mixed with zinc oxide...[is] used as the temporary filling to disinfect root canals from which the pulp has been removed during endodontic treatment prior to permanent restoration of the tooth." (Medical Botany, Plants affecting man's health, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, 1977, Wiley & Sons)

Pharmazeutische Biologie has posted Thomas Schoepke's Plant Image Gallery of the Myrtaceae. To view his photographs, click on the link:

http://pharm1.pharmazie.uni-greifswald.de/gallery/gal-myrt.htm

The links to individual images of clove trees (Syzygium aromaticum) are found at the bottom of his list.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

What color became the name of a flower? What's in a Name? - May 24, 2002
How did the Dutch control the Spice Islands? Plants that Changed History - January 13, 2004
What was the nail of the gillyflower? What's in a Name? - March 14, 2003
What was Alboquerque's reward? Plants that Changed History - December 16, 2003
Why did ladies use lavender water? Herbal Folklore - March 24, 2003
What was a pain-killer of last resort? Herbal Folklore - October 14, 2002

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