Clove

About Clove

Eugenol, its primary compound, is the standard dental anesthetic - dentists still use clove oil for temporary pain relief. It has the highest antioxidant content of any food tested by ORAC score. It was one of the most valuable spices in the medieval world - worth more than gold by weight. The Dutch destroyed all clove trees on competing islands to maintain their monopoly. Zanzibar produces 80% of the world supply. The dried flower buds look like small nails (the name comes from Latin clavus, nail). They are a key ingredient in garam masala and Chinese five-spice. Oil of cloves is used in perfumery and insect repellents.