Plant Description
The Clove Leaf Oil distilled from the leaf of the tree Eugenia Caryophyllata (Syzygium aromaticum). The Clove tree grows to around 10-15 metres in height, with leaves that begin as a pale red in colour, then turning to green as they mature. Originating from the Moluccas Islands, Indonesia, the flowering occurs after 7 years (from August/September through to February), and a further 6 months for the buds to mature. The tree can continue to have a productive life for a further 50-70 years, though it flowers best between 15 – 20 years, and producing 3 – 7kg of cloves per tree, per year. The cloves are handpicked when the lower portion of the clove bud is changing colour from green to red. Allowing 2-4 days to dry, and in-turn change colour, then finally graded into 3 colour and appearance groups.
The word Clove is derived from the Latin word “clavus” or the French word “clou”, meaning nail, the shape of which cloves are said to resemble. Cloves from Indonesia amount to nearly 80% of the world’s total supply.
Clove Leaf Oil Specification:
Appearance: A clear liquid
Color: Yellow to brownish yellow color
Odor: Typical odour of Clove
Specific Gravity at 20oC: 1.030 – 1.065
Refractive Index at 20oC: 1.525 – 1.540
Optical Rotation 20oC: -2o to +2o
Main content: Eugenol min> 80%
Clove Leaf Oil Use:
Known as a domestic spice worldwide. Cloves have been used throughout history from Romans, who used it to keep the plague at bay, to Chinese medicine where cloves were considered highly prized for many uses from cooking, digestion, smoking to dental /oral care and cleaning just to name a few, and predominantly a warming agent.
Clove has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The clove flower has powerful antiseptic qualities making it ideal for all kinds of treatment for cuts, bruises, bites and even fungal infections.
It is heavily used across the dentistry industry for its germicidal properties. As it has a numbing effect it can be used as a mild anaesthetic during procedures or to cure tooth and gum pain. You often smell clove in the air when visiting the dentist.
Clove is also used throughout the aromatherapy world, often to relieve the symptoms of stress as it is a know relaxant. It is also found in blends to aid restful sleep and for those with mild depressions.
Storage: Store in airtight containers in cool & dry place away from light & heat.