“Role of Clove in Medicine and Dentistry- An Interesting Review Article”

Clove( Syzygium aromaticum) is a natural herb used in our day to day life. It has potential health benefits which are yet to be explored. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is the most valuable spices that has been used for centuries as food preservative and for many medicinal purposes. Clove is native of Indonesia but now a days is cultured in several parts of the world. This plant represents one of the richest source of phenolic compounds such as eugenol ,eugenol acetate and gallic acid and possess great potential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and agricultural applications. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of clove is higher than many fruits, vegetables and other spices and should deserve special attention. The major part of the world’s consumption of the clove spice is in home kitchens. However, commercial use of the clove is for the production of clove oil that contain active constituents, which possess antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-diabetics, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anaesthetic, pain reliving and insect repellent properties. A new application of clove as larvicidal agent is an interesting strategy to combat dengue which is a serious health problem in Brazil and other tropical countries. The uses of clove in dentistry are significant. This review furnishes the necessary concerning the uses of clove in oral care.