Syzygium aromaticum

Scientific name: Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry

Synonym: Caryophyllus aromaticus L.

Synonym 2: Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb.

Botanical family: MYRTACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

clavo dulce, clavo de olor

Other vernacular names

Dominican Republic:

Clavo dulce

Guadeloupe:

Girofle

Haiti:

Jiwòf
Klou jiwòf

Geographical distribution

Native to the Maluku Islands, widely cultivated.

Botanical description

Tree of up to 10 m. Lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate leaves, 10 to 25 cm, acuminate. Pale-purple flowers, few in number and in terminal corymbs; 1 cm turbinate calyx tube, long, rounded lobes; glandular petals from 1 to 1.5 cm. Round or oval fruit 3 to 6 cm long, pale yellow.

Voucher(s)

Germosén-Robineau,10-92,JBSD

toothache

flower bud*, mashed, applied locally¹*Flower buds or "sweet cloves" are imported in the Dominican Republic.

toothache

flower bud, applied locally, frequently used jointly with garlic¹

toothache

flower bud, mashed, in mouth washes, chewed¹

The Syzygium aromaticum clove is a condiment of relatively widespread human consumption.

For toothaches:

Chew 1 to 3 dried flower buds (cloves) and apply them locally for a few moments near the painful tooth. Repeat 3 times a day.

According to the information available:

The use for toothache is classified in the REC category based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the scientific information published.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or if the toothache persists for more than 3 days, seek odontological attention.

It must not be ingested.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 7 years of age.

The flower bud administered in the diet (2%) of mice for 10 days was not genotoxic¹².

The aqueous extract of the flower bud in the diet (1%) of dogs was non-irritant to the gastric mucosa¹³.

The essential oil orally in mice had an LD50 = 1.82 g/kg¹⁴.

In humans, ingestion of the essential oil (4.9 ml/person) produces severe toxicity with central nervous system depression, urinary abnormalities and acidosis¹⁵.

In humans, the accepted daily ingestion of eugenol is up to 2.5 mg/kg¹⁶.

Repeated application of the essential oil may result in gum damage¹⁶.

Eugenol causes contact dermatitis, facilitated by regular and repeated exposure to plant parts¹⁶.

Cloves are classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in “GRAS” category (Generally Regarded as Safe)¹⁷.

There is no information available documenting the safety of medicinal use in children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The flower bud contains essential oil (6.1%)²: eugenol² (80- 90%)³, β-caryophyllene, -caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene and -humulene oxide².

The plant also contains triterpenic acids, catecholic acid, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, lactones, flavonoid aglycones and an ellagic tannin: eugeniin⁴.

Proximal analysis of 100 g inflorescence⁵: calories: 323; water: 6.9%; protein: 6%; fat: 20.1%; carbohydrates: 61.2%; fibre:

9.6%; ash: 5.9%; calcium: 646 mg; phosphorus: 105 mg; iron:

8.7 mg; sodium: 243 mg; potassium: 1102 mg; carotene: 318 µg; thiamine: 0.12 mg; riboflavin: 0.28 mg; niacin: 1.45 mg; ascorbic acid: 81 mg.

The powder of clavo dulce (2 g/l) in vitro was active against Staphylococcus aureus⁶.

The methanolic extract from the cloves (0.8 mg/disc) in vitro was active against Streptococcus mutans, but the aqueous extract was inactive⁷. The hydromethanolic extract (50%) was active against Candida albicans⁸.

The powder of clavo dulce (3 g/kg), orally in mice, decreased the level of the conditioned nociceptive responses and spontaneous activity; it had a tranquilising and anticonvulsant effect. At 10 g/kg the action of barbiturates was enhanced and had an anticonvulsant effect⁹.

Eugenol is attributed with antiseptic, local anaesthetic and dental analgesic activity^10-11.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984

Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

ZHENG G, KENNEY P, LAM L, 1992

Sesquiterpenes from clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) as potential anticarcinogenic agents. J Nat Prod 55(7):999-1003.

NEWALL C, ANDERSON L, PHILLIPSON J, 1996

Herbal medicines: A guide for health-care professionals. Syzygium aromaticum. London, Great Britain. Pharmaceutical Press, p79.

NOMAKA GI, HARADA M, NISHIOKA I, 1980

Eugeniin, a new ellagitannin from the cloves. Chem Pharm Bull 28:685-687.

DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986

Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press. p367.

NES F, SKJELKVALE R, OLSVIK O, BERDAL BP, 1984

The effect of natural spices and oleoresins on Lactobacillus plantarum and Staphylococcus aureus. 12th Int. IUMS-ICFMH Sym, Norway, Microb. Assoc. Interact. Food, 435-440.

NAMBA T, TSUNEZUKA M, BAE KH, HATTORI M, 1981

Studies of dental caries prevention by traditional Chinese medicines (Part I). Screening of crude drugs for antibacterial action against Streptococcus mutans. Shoyagaku Zasshi 35(4):295-302.

GIRON LM, AGUILAR GA, CACERES A, ARROYO GL, 1988

Anticandidal activity of plants used for the treatment of vaginitis in Guatemala and clinical trial of a Solanum nigrescens preparation. J Ethnopharmacol 22(3):307-313.

SHUKIA B, KHANNA NK, GODHWANI JL, 1987

Effect of Brahmi Rasayan on the central nervous system. J Ethnopharmacol 21(1):65- 74.

NEGWER M, 1987

Organic chemical drugs and their synonyms (an international survey). 6th ed. Berlin, Germany: Akademie Verlag, 1 & 2.

REYNOLDS JEF, 1993

Martindale the extra pharmacopoeia, 30th ed. London, Great Britain: The Pharmaceutical Press.

KUMARI M, 1991

Modulatory influences of clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus, L.) on hepatic detoxification systems and bone marrow genotoxicity in male Swiss albino mice. Cancer Lett 60(1):67-73.

SANCHEZ-PALOMERA E, 1951

Concept of the mucous barrier and its significance. II. Changes in the gastric mucosa produced by the local actions of spices and other irritative agents. Gastroenterology 18:269-286.

14 OHSUMI T, KUROKI K, KIMURA T, MURAKAMI Y, 1984

Study on acute toxicities of essential oils used in endodontic treatment. J. Kyushu Dental Soc. 38(6):1064-1071.

LANE BW, ELLENHORN MJ, HULBERT TV, McCARRON M, 1991

Clove oil ingestion in an infant. Human Exp Toxicol 10(4):291-294.

SEETHARAM VA, PASRICHA JS, 1987

Condiments and contact dermatitis of the finger-tips. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 53(5):325-328.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2002

Food and drugs. Chapter I - Food and drug administration, department of health and human services. Part 182 - Substances generally recognized as safe. Sec. 182.10. Spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings. U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access, USA. 21(3):451-452. Feb.24,2003, URL: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182&showFR=1

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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Syzygium aromaticum

Vernacular names

Dominican Republic:

Dominican Republic:

Guadeloupe:

Haiti:

Geographical distribution

Botanical description

Voucher(s)

Pharmacopoeia

References

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