Syzygium aromaticum
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum, commonly known as clove, is a perennial evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands. Renowned for its aromatic flower buds, this potent spice is prized in traditional medicine for its antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties, offering a rich source of essential oils like eugenol for therapeutic use.
- Scientific name: Syzygium aromaticum
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, scientifically known as Syzygium aromaticum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Syzygium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Myrtaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Syzygium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum, is recognized by various names across different linguistic traditions. In Tibetan, it is referred to as ལི་ཤི།, while in Chinese, it is known as 丁香. In the Basque language, it goes by the name iltze, and in Javanese, it is called Cengkèh. Additionally, in the language of Lahore, it is known as Neelcheskapp.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| lb | Neelcheskapp | Wikidata |
| zh | 丁香 | Wikidata |
| jv | Cengkèh | Wikidata |
| bo | ལི་ཤི། | Wikidata |
| eu | iltze | Wikidata |
| pl | goździki | Wikidata |
| gd | Clo-mheas | Wikidata |
| bs | Klinčić | Wikidata |
| ta | கிராம்பு | Wikidata |
| hu | szegfűszeg | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specialized geographical distribution concentrated primarily within tropical maritime regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Tanzania. Its range extends significantly across the Western Indian Ocean, encompassing the Comoros. Finally, the distribution includes the prominent islands of Madagascar and the Seychelles.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Maluku | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Caroline Is. | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Syzygium aromaticum, is most famous for its aromatic flower buds, which are harvested before they bloom to serve as the spice known as cloves. Within each individual flower bud, a high concentration of aromatic compounds is stored, which are extracted to produce potent essential oils. These essential oils are highly valued in both culinary and medicinal applications due to their antiseptic properties. Furthermore, the complex chemical profile of the buds is often concentrated into a pure essential oil used for therapeutic purposes.- Total parts
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 46
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oil | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flower buds | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flower bud | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| buds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flower | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| clove essential oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| clove | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bud | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Syzygium aromaticum has 95 reported phytochemicals identified across 168 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include eugenol, clove oil, Eugenol, caryophyllene, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 95
- Scientific sources
- 168
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| eugenol | 37 | ★★★★★ |
| clove oil | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Eugenol | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| caryophyllene | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| eugenol acetate | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cloves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Syzygium aromaticum has 31 reported activities identified across 99 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 99
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 19 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Anticancer | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antifungal | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Analgesic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiseptic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Syzygium aromaticum has 124 reported medicinal uses identified across 182 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cancer, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 124
- Scientific sources
- 182
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| inflammation | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus mutans | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| toothache | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |