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Clove was nicknamed “nail spice” by ancient Romans because of its shape, it is one of three spices that hailed exclusively from the islands of Indonesia, resulting in them being a valued herb. Along with nutmeg and mace, these three spaces made the Maluku islands a target for Western powers, who fought for control over the monopoly. It wasn’t until a successful smuggling by Pierre Poivre that seeds were able to make it off the islands to be be cultivated elsewhere
BOTANICAL BREAKDOWN
BOTANICAL NAME - Syzygium aromaticum
AKA - Nail spice
PARTS USED - Dried flower bud
BOTANICAL PROPERTIES OF CLOVE
Clove as a spice refers to the dried, unopened flowers of the clove tree, a tropical evergreen growing in volcanic soil. Clove plants are slow to begin production, taking up to five years to begin producing the spice. Due to its strong, pleasant aroma, it is used widely in cooking across numerous cultures.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CLOVE
| This article is not medical advice, it is just a description of how this herb has been used and is for informational purposes only. Many herbs may have adverse or even dangerous effects when misused. |
Clove is often used in pickling is small quantities because of its reputation as a natural antiseptic. It is also commonly used in traditional medicine, particularly for tooth-related issues. This is due to its high concentration of eugenol, one of the primary chemicals, alongside caryophyllene, that contribute to its distinct flavor profile. In fact, though you can also find eugenol in other spices, such as true cinnamon, clove has the highest concentration of eugenol of any spice.
CLOVE AS A CULTURAL STAPLE
Now grown more widely, the majority of Indonesia’s local clove supply is used to create kretek - clove and tobacco cigarettes so named for the crackling sound they make as the cloves burn. In Indonesia, more than a quarter of the adult population is estimated to smoke, with around 90% of them preferring kretek.
They can also be found in the addictive narcotic of betel quid - when betel nuts are combined with spices such as clove, slaked lime, and betel leaves, to be chewed. This practice is predominantly found in South and Southeast Asia.
Even before this expanse of cultivation, however, clove had made itself a cultural staple in other countries. In Han Guan Yi, an etiquette book from the Han Dynasty, ministry officials were instructed to suck on cloves before speaking to the Emperor, to ensure their breath smelled good.
It was also used during the late middle ages in Europe as an embalming herb and could be included in a pomander in Victorian England to express warm feelings.
MAGICK & MYTHOS
ELEMENT - Fire
PLANET - Jupiter
MOON PHASE - Waxing
TAROT - N/A
CHAKRA - Root
DEITIES & ENTITIES - Aine, Apollo, Asmodeus, Astarte, Babalon, Bai Mudan, Baron la Croix, Daikokuten, Freyja, Hedone, Inanna, Ishtar, Jupiter, LAkshmi, Min, Oshun, Pan, Priapus, Rati, Turan, Tyche, Voluptas
MAGICKAL USES OF CLOVE
Clove can be burned as an incense, worn/carried as a sachet , or consumed in food or tea. It is a masculine herb linked with passionate endeavors, such as love, success, protection, and exorcism. It is thought to be able to attract those desirable things such as fortune and love while driving away hostile and negative forces.
A few ways to use clove in spellwork:
- Anoint a space with clove oil to prepare it for love or sex magick
- Incorporate into a sachet to attract love and wealth
- Burn cloves as an incense to stop others from gossiping about you
- Offer clove to someone who is mourning to bring comfort during their bereavement
- Drink clove tea prior to rituals around love, fortune, and sex to enhance psychic power.