Clove
Written By Lady Celestina
Latin Names:
Caryophyllus Aromaticus
Syzgium Aromaticum
Eugenia Carophyllus
Folk Names:
Carenfil
Mykhet
Gender:
Masculine / Hot
Planet:
Jupiter / Sun
Element:
Fire
History & Background:
What we know as the ‘Clove’ is actually the seed bud from a tropical, and highly aromatic evergreen tree. The 30 to 40 foot tree - part of the myrtle tree family - grows in the Molluccan Islands, which are part of the Phillipines. Cloves are also grown and imported from the East & West Indies, Mauritius and Brazil. At the start of the rainy season the long green buds first appear. The flowers have a refreshing & quite strong scent. Each berry has only a single seed. The trees begin to bear fruit around 8 to 9 years after planting. Clove trees absorb a great deal of moisture which makes them an ideal tropical or sub-tropical crop producing tree. Fraudulent spice dealers know this as they have been known to sell the powdered stems as pure cloves. The word ‘clove’ comes from the French ‘clou’ or ‘nail’ which the tiny little bud resembles. It takes 7 to 8 thousand of the little buds to make up a pound of dried cloves. During the drying process the cloves loose 2/3rds of their weight.
Over 200 years ago during the Han Dynasty in Ancient China - 207 BCE to 220 CE - anyone who addressed the Emperor were required to chew cloves to guard against ‘bad breath’. The tiny and humble clove arrived in Europe in the 4th century C.E. Because of the high costs of growing, processing and shipping as well as storage cloves were so valuable they were at one time considered a form of currency. Cloves were also valuable to both Chineese and Indian Ayurvvedic healers. In the 19th Century American doctors ‘discovered’ the clove and its many medicinal and therapeutic properties.
Storage & Handling:
Ground and dried cloves should be sored in a cool and dry location. Heat will dissipate and liquify the essential oils and moisture will cause caking. Containers should be labeled with the date so the oldest stock will be used first. Keep all containers tightly sealed and closed after each use.
Medicinal Healing with Clove:
Clove oil is used by dentists as an anesthetic. it is also used to clean out and disinfect infected root canals. Clove oil is the primary active ingredient in Lavoris mouthwash as well as Benzodent and Numzident topical dental ointments. Clove is also good for digestive troubles. The reason clove oil is medicinally effective is because it is 60 to 90 percent eugenol.
Magickal Healing with Clove:
From Scott Cunningham’s ‘Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs’ it is learned that - One of the more basic and primal uses of clove in magick is when it is worn around the neck to stop gossip and to drive off negative and hostile elementals and forces. A more specific magical use has cloves burned as an incense. Burning cloves attract riches, drive off dark, negative and hostile elementals and elements and other forces of the Dark. Used as an incense cloves produce positive spiritual vibrations and purify. Worn or carried cloves can attract the opposite sex and aid in the recovery of the bereaved. A necklace of cloves - made with red thread and a needle - can be used as a protective garland for infants or anyone else who might need it. Be sure to hang the garland out of reach of young or not-so-young grabbing and grasping hands!
“Working” with Clove:
Light a candle.
Pass the needle through the flame of the candle.
Hold the red thread before the candle.
Hold the cloves before the candle.
Thread the needle with the tread
and string the cloves on the thread.
“Goodess - Bless these cloves in Your Service.
“From the ground came these cloves.”
“From Your earth came these herbs.”
“Goddess - May these cloves guard and protect ____________________ .”
“So this is - So this be….”
Hang the cloves oout-of-reach of an infant or over a doorway in a household.
1) Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs.
2nd edition - 12th printing.
ISBN: 0-87542-122-9
© 1985 & © 2002 by the Scott Cunningham estate
2) Magical Herbalism
3rd Edition - 3rd printing
ISBN: 0-87542-120-2
© 1982 & 1983 by Scott Cunningham
© 2002 by the Scott Cunningham estate