Cloves
Cloves are native to the Indonesian island Maluku and are the flowering buds of a tree. These perennial buds are commonly used as a spice and have many potential health benefits, which are covered in this article:
Hydroponics of Cloves
The clove tree can be hydroponically cultivated in the following conditions:
Hydroponic System
The clove tree is best nourished in the deep water culture system.
Temperature Requirement
The growth of clove is favored in the temperature range of 70 to 90 °F.
Fertilizer
15:15:15 NPK fertilizer treatment is only effective in plants less than three years of age. (Daswir & Z., 1990)
Nutritional Profile of Clove
The nutritional profile of clove consists of the following elements:
Macromolecules
Here's a list of macromolecules — in the order of their abundance — found in clove: (FoodData Central, 2019)
- Carbohydrates
- Dietary fibers
- Lipid
- Protein
Minerals
Calcium, potassium, and sodium make up most of the mineral profile of clove.
Vitamins
The spice contains very little to no amount of major vitamins.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Anti-inflammatory
Cloves are a natural tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker.
TNF mediates the inflammatory pathway, blocking it breaks the whole inflammatory chain reaction. The drugs available in the market come with life-threatening side effects like heart failure. And because of that, cloves merge as a suitable and cheaper alternative. Half a teaspoon of cloves can reduce the inflammatory damage. (M.D., 2014)
Chemistry of Cloves
The chemistry of cloves revolves around eugenol, the main essential oil constituent. The essential oils of clove are commercially available as clove oil, and much research has been done to identify their components. Results of such studies have shown that the essential oils are composed of 23 different constituents. (Jirovetz & Buchbauer) Out of 23, the four components were found in high quantities and are listed in decreasing order of their concentration:
- Eugenol
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Alpha-humulene
- Eugenyl acetate
No whole foods can parallel the anti-inflammatory and anti-coughing effect of cloves. The health benefits plus an exceptional taste make cloves a great culinary ingredient.
References
- Daswir, & Z., H. (1990). Effects of fertilizer application and cultural practices on the growth of young clove. Pemberitaan Penelitian Tanaman Industri, 17–21. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=ID9000328
- FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171321/nutrients
- Jirovetz, L., & Buchbauer, G. (n.d.). Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of clove leaf essential oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 6303–6307. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf060608c
- M.D., M. G. (2014, January 10). Which Spices Fight Inflammation? Nutrition Facts. https://nutritionfacts.org/video/which-spices-fight-inflammation/
Frequently asked questions
Which hydroponic system is best for cloves?
The clove tree is best nourished in the deep water culture system.
What temperature do cloves need to grow?
The growth of clove is favored in the temperature range of 70 to 90 °F.
Does NPK fertilizer help clove trees grow?
15:15:15 NPK fertilizer treatment is only effective in clove plants less than three years of age.
