Clove (Eugenia caryophyllus)

The clove is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Myrtaceaefamily. Before they open, the tree's small, pink flower buds are known as 'cloves'. These cloves are harvested and dried in the sun until they turn dark brown in colour. Since ancient times, cloves has been one of the most well-known of all the essential oils and it is powerful and indispensable part of any household pharmacy. It owes much of its beneficial healing power to the presence of high levels of eugenol. When massaged into the skin, it generates a warming sensation, which makes it ideal for application to painful, stiff and tired muscles and joints.

Plant part: flower buds
Preferred extraction method: steam distillation
Aroma: herbal, typical eugenol fragrance
Colour: light yellow to yellow
External appearance: light yellow to yellow fluid
Main component elements:eugenol, eugenyl acetate, β-caryophyllene