Did you know that Lavang, Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) named after the Latin word 'clavus' rightly means a nail?
Lavang, Clove in English, is the aromatic flower bud of a tree with Latin name of Syzygium aromaticum in the family Myrtaceae, which is widely popular as the 'little wizard stick' - not just by its appearance, but also its usage as a spice in cuisine, and in herbal medicine for stunning pharmacological effects. When originally grown as native to Maluku islands (historically called the Spice Islands) in Indonesia, the Dutch tried to restrict its cultivation to the island of Ambyona but in course of time it got introduced into India and other tropical countries. Initially introduced in South India, it is now widely cultivated throughout the country as a herbaceous plant extensively, In fact it is a tree extensively cultivated throughout the world.
In ancient times, Lavang was known by the name of Karanphul due to the practice of keeping it in the hole in the lobe of the ear to prevent it from closing. It was also known as Narlavang, 'Nar' meaning a "male", and 'lavang or clove' meaning "mother" because of the false notion among the native that the seed - bearing organ is always the male. Now, established with the Latin name Syzygium aromaticum meaning 'clavus' Clove or Lavang is rightly compared to the nail. Its Sanskrit names are Devkusum, Shrisangaya and Shirparsunak, and in other Indian languages it is called as: Laung in Hindi ; Lawang in Bengali; Lavang in Gujarati ; Lavanga in Kannada ; Grambu in Malayalam ; Luvang in Marathi ; in Labang in Oriya; Laung in Punjabi; Kirambu, Lavangam in Tamil ; Lavangalu in Telugu ; and Laung. in Urdu
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Lavang or Clove is the unopened flower bud of the evergreen clove tree, a herbaceous plant which could grow to heights of 6 to 12 m with large leaves and crimson flowers grouped in terminal clusters. Leaves are simple bright green and glossy with its lower surface covered with oil glands. The flower buds of this plant, which are highly aromatic, yield the cloves of commerce. Cloves as marketed are 1.5 to 2 cm long with four small triangular petals protruding outwards. Every part of this plant abounds with aromatic oil. The plant's leaves, flower buds and flower stalks yield, when distilled with water, an essential oil called Clove Oil. It is a colourless or a yellowish oil, having a powerful odour and flavour of cloves. It easily combines with grease, soap, and spirit and it is extensively made use of not only as herbal medicine but also in the manufacture of perfumery. The essence of cloves is obtained by dissolving oil of cloves in the proportion of four ounces of oil to one gallon of spirit.
Lavang's use has been appreciated in the alternative system of medicine from ancient times. It possesses antimicrobial. antioxidant, anaesthetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; its essential oil contains almost 75%-90% of Eugenol
which is the reason for its warm aroma and many of its medicinal uses; thus, when bit into, taste warm and spicy. Its traditional uses could be listed as: a mouth wash after every meal to beat bad breath; chewed as pan; a mixture of cloves and honey used to prevent nausea and vomiting; to aid digestion; Clove oil which has strong anti-fungal properties is used to treat acne and warts; Clove oil applied on a cotton bud or even chewing a single clove is used to relieve toothaches, and is thus used in making toothpaste; used to a limited degree in treating morning sickness in many women experiencing nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy; as a cure for conjunctivitis when mixed with honey and applied to the lower eyelid; used in aromatherapy; Ayurvedic Vaidyas' prescribe cloves or its oil to improve circulation, digestion, and metabolism and also to prevent and treat stomach disorders like distention and nausea. Its widest use as dried spice as hot spice in cuisines throughout India.
Usage of clove in one modern style of pomander is made by studding an orange or other fruit with whole dried cloves and letting it cure dry, after which it may last many, many years. This modern pomander serves the functions of perfuming and freshening the air and also of keeping drawers of clothing and linens fresh, pleasant-smelling, and moth-free.
- Narasipur Char
