Clove is the name for a small evergreen tree of the myrtle family (Syzygium aromaticum) and for its unopened flower bud, an important spice. The buds are reddish-brown in color and have a strong, aromatic flavor and aroma. The cloves are gathered by hand, dried, and marketed either whole or ground for culinary purposes. Clove may have aphrodisiac properties. Clove oil is widely used in synthetic vanilla and other flavorings as well as in perfumes. Clove oil is often considered medicinal and antiseptic.

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Cloves Recipe
Cloves are an important ingredient in the spice blends of North India. They are used in garam masala, biryanis, and pickles. In the U.S., cloves are used in meats and salad dressings. Clove helps the flavor of ketchup and Worchestershire sauce seasoning blends.

Clove Research Update
Aphrodisiac effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) on sexual behaviour of normal male rats. ( nutmeg )
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 Nov 5;4(1):17
The flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. ( clove) has been used in Unani medicine since ancient times as an aphrodisiac for the treatment of male sexual disorders. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of 50% ethanolic extract of clove on general mating behaviour, libido, potency along with its likely gastric ulceration and adverse effects on sexually normal male albino rats. The suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg / kg, to different groups of male rats (n=6) once a day for seven days. The female albino rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were determined and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. The probable gastric ulceration and adverse effects of the extract were also evaluated. Oral administration of the extract significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency; Intromission Latency, Erections; Quick Flips, Long Flips as well as aggregate of penile reflexes and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. The most appreciable effect of the extract was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg. The test drug was also found to be devoid of any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects. The results indicated that the 50% ethanolic extract of clove produced a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects. Thus, the resultant aphrodisiac effectivity of the extract lends support to the claims for its traditional usage in sexual disorders.

Essential oil poisoning: N-acetylcysteine for eugenol -induced hepatic failure and analysis of a national database.
Eur J Pediatr. 2005 May 14; [
We present a 15-month-old boy who developed fulminant hepatic failure after ingesting 10 ml of clove oil. After 24 h, the ALT level was in excess of 13,000 U/l, with blood urea and creatinine of 11.8 mmol and 134 micromol/l respectively. The hepatic impairment resolved after intravenous administration of N-acetylcysteine so that 6 h later, the ALT level was approximately 10,000 U/l. His liver synthetic function and clinical status improved over the next 4 days. This is the first such case report of its kind in Europe. Analysis of a national database revealed a 14-fold increase in home accidents related to aromatherapy from 1994-1999. Clove oil has important hepatotoxic effects. Conclusion: Recent growth in aromatherapy sales has been accompanied by an unfortunate increase in accidental poisoning from these products. Clove oil warrants special attention. Ingesting as little as 10 ml causes hepatotoxicity which can be treated with N-acetylcysteine.

Clove leaf oil