Lavanga – The aromatic flower bud champion spice

Introduction

Lavanga is a well-known ayurvedic herb that is botanically known as Syzygium aromaticum and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is a medium-sized bushy evergreen tree, commonly used as a spice and native to the Maluka island i.e., Moluccas and also known as Carophyllus aromaticus, Eugenia aromatica. Lavanga is commercially harvested in many countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Tanzania, Pakistan, Srilanka, Madagascar, etc.  Lavanga has different harvest times in different countries, so Lavanga is available throughout the year. If we go through Ayurvedic classical texts, it is found that Lavanga is a less utilized herb during the Brihtrayi period but in later times in Yoga Grantha i.e. for formulation making we come to get lots of utility of Lavanga. In Ayurveda Lavanga is used to correct gastrointestinal problems and also it is indicated in eye disorders, Shwasa Roga, Kasa Roga, Hikka, Chardi, etc. For all the diseases where the accumulation of Kapha occurs, Lavanga gave excellent results. Recent research revealed that Lavanga consists of various active chemical constituents like volatile oil, beta-caryophyllene, eugenol, furfural, iso-eugenol, eugenone, etc due to which it exhibits various pharmacological properties like anti-fungal, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory activity, etc.

Basonym of Lavanga

लवङ्ग- लुनाति छिनाती कफ़ं चेति |

Lavanga will expel the kapha.

Synonyms of Lavanga

According to morphology

चंदन पुष्प – चंदनवत पुष्पम अस्य |

The flowers of Lavanga resemble the flower of Chandana (Santalum album).

देव कुसुम – देवानाम कुसुमं यादव कुसुमेषु देव इव राजदन्तादिवत | यादव देव योग्यं कुसुमं इति देव कुसुमं |

The flowers are used to worship God and it is considered to be the best flower among the flowers.

ग्रहणी हर – Cures Grahani Roga.

श्री संज्ञा– Lavanga is auspicious.

श्री प्रसून– Flowers are beautiful.

श्री पुष्प– Flowers are beautiful.

चन्दन पुष्प– Flowers are aromatic like Chandana flower. 

वारिज– Mainly grows in a watery place.

Some other synonyms of Lavanga are Lavaga Kalika, Ruchira, Pushpaka, Govarna Kusuma, Teekshana Pushpa, Lava, Bhringara, Sekhar, Shikhar, Sringara, Sravya.

Regional names of Lavanga

  • Cloves (English)
  • Laung (Hindi)
  • Lavanga (Kannada)
  • Karampu (Malayalam)
  • Lavang (Marathi)
  • Lavang (Bengali)
  • Kirambu (Tamil)
  • Karavallu (Telegu)
  • Laung (Punjabi)
  • Rung (Kashmiri)
  • Mehaka (Farsi)
  • Qarbful (Urdu)
  • Laving (Gujrati)
  • Ding Xiang (Chinese)
  • Nellike (Danish)
  • Kabsh qarunfil, Kabsh qaranful (Arabic)
  • Dhing Huong (Vietnamese)
  • Carenfil (Turkish)
  • Gvosdika, Pazhitnik, Shambala, Pazhitnik grescheski, Pazhitnik cennoj (Russian)
  • Khan plu, Gran ploo (Thai)
  • Nellik (Norwegian)
  • Chiodo di garofano (Italian)
  • Lwaang (Napalese)
  • Cengke, Cengkeh (Indonesian)
  • Gewurznelke, Nelke (German)
  • Garifalo (Greek)
  • Szegfu (Hungarian)
  • Girofla, Choji, kurobu (Japanese)

Botanical Name

Syzygium aromaticum Merr. Perry

Syzygium means conjugation or caryophyllene and aromatic means scented.

Family

Myrtaceae (Lavanga Kula)

Ayurveda reference for Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum Merr. Perry.)

Scientific Classification of Lavang

KingdomPlantae
Class Dicotyledonae
Sub- ClassPolypetalous
SeriesCalyciflorae
OrderMyrtales
Family Myrtaceae
GenusSyzygium 
Species aromaticum

Classification of Lavanga as per Charaka and Sushruta

Charaka: Not mentioned in Mahakshaya

Sushruta: Not mentioned in Gana.

Lavanga’s description in Brihtrayi as Gandha Aushadha

Gandha, Sarvagandha, and Gandhausadha are group names of aromatic drugs usually included in the Eladi Gana (S. S. Su. 38. 21). Sometimes Aguru, Kankkola, Karpura, Kunkuma, Caturjataka, and Lavanga only are taken as Sarvagandha substances. By Gandassch Agaru Patradya is meant all aromatic substances from Aguru to Devadaru except Kustha and Tagara mentioned in C. S. Ci. 3. 266. 

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 3/ 18, C. S. Su. 5/ 23, C. S. Su. 14/ 35, C. S. Sa. 8/ 79, C. S. Chi. 8/ 117, C. S. Chi. 12/ 65, C. S. Chi. 26/ 181, C. S. Chi. 27/ 52, C. S. Su. 28/ 116, 163

Lavanga’s description in Brihtrayi

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 5/ 73, C. S. Chi. 26/ 210, C. S. Chi. 28/ 153

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 46/ 202, 484, S. S. Chi. 24/ 21

Ashtanga Hridya: A. H. Chi. 8/ 149, A. H. U. 22/ 93

Lavanga’s description in Brihtrayi as Shri

Shri has been variously identified with Shri Vestaka, rala, and Lavanga.

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Chi. 22/ 69, S. S. U. 24/ 27

Historical background of Lavanga

Lavanga was relatively a less utilized herb during the Brhattrayi period. The term Lavanga is used by the three major texts only ten times. None of its famous synonyms like Devakusuma, and Divyagandha are traceable in the ancient texts.  At later times, especially in yoga granthas we come across the utility of Lavanga in therapeutics. Hence preparations like Lavangadi vati, and Avipattikara churna emerged. It is mainly used for the correction of digestive problems. But it is also indicated for Visa rogas, Netra rogas, Svasa-kasa, Chardi, Hikka, etc. The application of clove oil for dental caries and gingivitis is known to everyone. It is also used externally to relieve joint pains and headaches.

A controversial study of Lavanga

Though there is no controversy about the identity of clove buds, they are adulterated with other species of Syzygium and Cinnamomum floral buds.

External morphology of Syzygium aromaticum

  • Habit:  Lavanga is a pyramidal or conical evergreen tree, a large shrub or small tree, beautiful, 9-12 meters high or taller, with smooth grey bark and gland-dotted. 
  • Leaves: Leaves of the Lavanga are fragrant and lanceolate leaves in pairs. Leaves obovate or elliptic, 2-4 in narrowed into a short petiole, secondary nerves numerous, joined reticulate veins.
  • Flower: Flower buds of Lavanga borne in small clusters at the ends of branches, greenish, turning pink at the time of maturity, aromatic, buds lastly crimson.
  • Inflorescence: Flowers of Lavanga are sessile, in the terminal compound, trichotomous cymes, calyx-tube broadly turbinate 1/8 in. long, limb nearly truncate; petals calyptrate, Flowers of Lavanaga are in corymbose panicles.
  • Fruit: The fruit of Lavanga is Drupe (mother-of-clove) fleshy, dark, pink, 2.5 cm. long, and 1.5 cm thick. Fruits depressed, globose, black, shining.
  • Clove Drug: Dried floral buds constitute a major spice of commerce, a highly potent drug, and a strong aromatic herbal item making clove a highly valuable drug as well as spice. Floral buds in the dried state or clove in nail-like spice, reddish brown, 12-19 mm. long, somewhat rough 10 touches but not wrinkled or shriveled, with cylindrical base crowned with the plum, ball-like and unopened corolla, surmounted by the four-toothed calyx, aromatic odor, a hot and pungent and aromatic taste. yields, quality, and grades depend on the various factors relating to plant propagation, harvest, picking, drying, storage, and other conditions from cropping to marketing. Clove stalks are also collected separately and traded.

Flowering and fruiting time

Plant flowers and fruits during January-February or different months in the year depending upon the cropping, harvesting, and picking seasons.

Distribution of Lavanga

The plant is cultivated in southern India, Zanzibar and Peruba (Pemba) and Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Southeast Asian countries (particularly Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia). Native of Malay Archipelago (Moluccas) as a spice crop. growing Molucca group of Is-lands. Plants are cultivated in India as a valuable aromatic spice on a large scale.

The useful part of Lavanga

Flower bud

The flower bud is reddish brown and up to 1.7 cm long. It has got a slightly flattened stalk (Hypanthium) and a head composed of four calyx teeth and a globular portion in the center, consisting of stiff leathery petals and numerous incurred stamens surrounding the style. Clove has got a strong spicy odor, aromatic, and tastes pungent.

Important phytoconstituent of Lavanga

Clove contains 15 to 20% volatile oil, 10 to 13% tannin (Gallotannic acid), resin, chromone, and eugenic. The volatile oil of clove contains eugenol (70-90%), eugenol acetate, caryophyllenes, esters, ketones, and alcohol.

Adulteration in Lavanga

Lavanga is adulterated with exhausted cloves, blown clove stalks, and mother cloves. 

A chemical test of Lavanga

The transverse section of the clove is treated with a strong potassium hydroxide solution, and the needle-shaped crystals of potassium Eugene are observed.

Collection of Lavanga

The plant starts bearing after 7 to 8 years and a satisfactory yield per hectare of the drug is achieved only after 15 to 20 years of growth. Cloves are handpicked or collected by beating with bamboo. Cloves are to be collected when the cloves start changing their color from green to slightly pink. The cloves are dried in the sun and freed from foreign material and graded.

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Recent research on Lavanga

  • Eugenin showed antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus at a concentration of 10 g/ml (Planta Med. 1981, 42, 69).
  • Extract of leaves containing 3,4 dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol and 3,4, dihydroxybenzoic acid exhibited anti-inflammatory activity (Chem. Abstr. 1990, 113, 29242t).
  • B-caryophyllene, its oxide, a-humulene, its epoxide, and eugenol exhibited significant activity as inducers of detoxifying enzyme glutathione-s-transferase in mouse liver and small intestine. They inhibit chemical carcinogenesis and may find use as potential anticarcinogenic agents (J. Nat. Prod. 1992, 55, 999).
  • The clove oil derived from the dried buds is often used as an analgesic and anesthetic (NIN, Hyderabad 1996).
  • Shehzad, A. & Saeed, Muhammad & Nadeem, muhammad & Khan, Moazzam Rafiq & Shabbir, Muhammad Asim & AMIR, RAI. (2013). Antimicrobial activity of Syzygium aromaticum extracts against food spoilage bacteria. African Journal of microbiology research. 7. 4848- 4856. 10. 5897/ AJMR2013. 5946. In this study, the emphasis was on the extraction of aqueous and methanolic extract from whole clove (Syzygium aromaticum) that can be efficiently used as an antimicrobial agent with the ultimate objective of developing replacements for synthetic chemical additives in food products. The antimicrobial activity of the extract revealed that the solvent extract of clove has a great potential for the inhibition of microbial load. The value of antimicrobial activities of solvent extract ranged from 12 to 17 mm in the disc diffusion method as compared to aqueous extract i.e. ranged from 12 to 16 mm. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations were found from 17 to 23 mm for solvent extract and 13 to 17 mm for aqueous extract. The sensory characteristics of bread showed that the treatments had a highly significant effect on volume, color of the crust, symmetry of form, evenness of bake, the character of crust, grain, the color of crumb, taste, and texture, and overall acceptability of bread. Significantly lower total scores for the bread were exhibited by the bread supplemented with 2 and 2.5% clove extract. The results revealed that bread containing up to 1% clove extract is acceptable.
  • Eugenol, the major component of clove oil, is a phenolic compound- a naturally occurring antioxidant that prevents foods from turning rancid. Its bactericidal and fungicidal properties favor its use in human medicine as an ant putrescent (NIN, Hyderabad 1996).
  • The use of spices to extend the shelf-life of foods has been widely applied in various processing and preservation methods. In one of the studies amount of clove and cinnamon, powders was measured in a cake formulation (Zain & Hussain, ASOMPS, VII, Malaysia, 1994).
  • Okmen, Gulten & Mammadkhanlı, Mahabbat. (2018). THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM (L.) MERR. & PERRY AGAINST ORAL BACTERIA AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMUTAGENIC ACTIVITIES. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 4634- 4641. 10. 13040/ IJPSR. 0975- 8232. 9 (11). 4634- 41. Plants are an important source of substances that are claimed to induce biological activities. Although there are a few studies on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of this plant, antimutagenic activity has not been studied and there is no study in Turkey. Antibacterial activities of Syzygium aromaticum against oral pathogens have not been reported until today. The scope of this work was to investigate the biological activities of S. aromaticum in different extracts. The various extracts were screened for antibacterial activity. The bacteria were isolated from oral flora by traditional methods. The plant extracts were tested by Kirby- Bauer method. Other antibacterial activity tests are MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration). In addition to that, the antioxidant activities of plant extracts were screened by the stable DPPH (2, 2- diphenyl- 1- picrylhydrazyl hydrate) free radical. The antimutagenicity of the plant extracts was determined by Ame’s test using Salmonella typhimurium strains. The highest antibacterial activity was determined as a 20 mm inhibition zone from methanol extracts. The highest DPPH scavenging activity was found at 82% from the aqueous extract. S. aromaticum extracts have antibacterial, antioxidant, and antimutagenic potentials. Our results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine and show that some of the plant extracts possess compounds with good biological activities.
  • Varghese, Reslee & Ragavan, D. & Sivaraj, Saranya & Gayathri, Dasara Raju & Kannayiram, Gomathi. (2017). Anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium aromaticum silver nanoparticles: In vitro and silico study. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 10. 370. 10. 22159/ ajpcr. 2017. v10i11. 19904. Objective: In the present study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) silver nanoparticles (clove AgNP’s) was evaluated. Methods: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique was used to identify the compounds present in the aqueous extract of clove. Fourier transforms infrared (FT- IR) analysis was done to characterize the clove silver AgNP’s. 1, 1- diphenyl- 2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was performed to evaluate the antioxidant property of nanoparticles (0.05 and 0.25 mg/ ml) and aqueous extracts (0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/ ml) of clove. The anti-inflammatory property of the clove AgNP’s was determined by inhibition of protein denaturation and downregulation of interleukin-1 beta. In silico molecular docking studies were performed using Schrodinger Maestro software. Results: Eugenol was found to be highest with 16.27%. The AgNP exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant properties. AgNPs scavenged 80% of radical at the concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. The scavenging activity of AgNP’s markedly increased when compared to aqueous extract at the same concentration. Inhibition of protein denaturation assay also revealed AgNP’s showing the highest activity (66%) when compared with the drug aspirin (55%) and aqueous extract (56%). In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, AgNPs showed better inhibition (80%) when compared to aqueous extract (60%). Among 15 compounds, two compounds (eugenol and methyl 14- methyl- pentadecanoate) showed good glide energy, docking score, and hydrogen-bonded active site interactions with the protein interleukin- 1 beta. Conclusion- As AgNP’s were more active than the aqueous extract, it may be considered for pharmacological activity against inflammatory disorders.
  • Sugihartini, Nining & Fariez Kurniawan, Muhammad & Yuwono, T. (2020). Anti-inflammatory Activity of Syzygium Aromaticum Essential Oil in Emulgel. Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 13. 161-167. The essential oil of clove has acted as an anti-inflammatory. This study aims to detect the influence of the various components of oleic acid and propylene glycol as an enhancer to the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of clove in emulgel. The composition of oleic acid-(AO) and propylene glycol-(PG) in emulgel was based on the Simplex Lattice Design method are FI (100% 0% AO- PG), FII (50% AO- 50% PG), FIII (0% AO- 100% PG). Emulgel was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by using male mice strain BALb/ C which induced inflammation with croton oil. The results of the study showed the increasing concentration of propylene glycol caused a decrease in the value of COX- 2 (p> 0.05) and the thickness of the epidermis (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the increasing concentration of propylene glycol caused an increase in the number of inflammatory cells (P> 0.05). The optimum composition of enhancer in emulgel of essential oil of clove was 100%  of propylene glycol.
  • Singh, Isha & Madan, V. K. (2018). Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) as Affected by Various Moisture Levels. Asian Journal of Chemistry. 30. 525- 528. 10. 14233/ ajchem. 2018. 20928. Moisture content in a plant matrix is an important factor as the nature of Phyto- constituents present in spices may be altered by the presence of moisture. The present study was conducted to observe the effect of moisture levels viz. 5 % moisture level (more than normal), 10 % moisture level (more than normal), and normal moisture level (control) on phyto-constituents and antioxidant activities of clove buds. Contents of total phenols, flavonoids, sugars, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and antioxidant activity decreased under the influence of moisture conditions during storage. The contents of total phenols in samples with 10 % and 5 % and normal moisture levels after 64 days of storage were 70.89, 73.76, and 96.07 mg GAE/g, flavonoids (21.02, 23.37 & 38.24 mg CE/g), total sugars (12.73, 13.88 & 23.01 mg/ g), reducing sugars (12.59, 13.73 and 22.77 mg/ g), non-reducing sugars (0.14, 0.15 and 0.24 mg/ g), IC50 values from DPPH free radical scavenging activity (253.0, 231.7 and 124.9 μg/  mL) and antioxidant activity (51.05, 55.19 and 84.67 %). The contents of various phytochemicals and antioxidant activity decreased more at 10 % moisture level in comparison to 5 % moisture level.
  • Afanyibo, Yaovi-Gameli & Esseh, Komlavi & Idoh, Kokou & Koudouvo, Koffi & Agbonon, Amegnona & Gbeassor, M. (2019). Toxicity and antioxidant activity of Syzygium aromaticum, Mondia whitei, Carissa spinarum, and Caesalpinia bonduc. The Journal of Phytopharmacology. 8. 124- 128. 10. 31254/ phyto. 2019. 8307. Caesalpinia bonduc, Mondia Whitei, Carissa spinarum, and Syzygium aromaticum are four medicinal plants used alone or in combination in the production of traditional liquors in Togo to treat infertility, impotence, and infections. They were selected based on an ethnobotanical survey among Togolese traditional medicine practitioners to be evaluated for their toxicological effects and antioxidant properties. The phytochemical extraction was carried out on the powders of the roots, leaves, and seeds of C. bonduc, the roots, and leaves of M. whitei, the roots of C. spinarum, and the leaves of S. aromaticum. The toxicity of hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of each plant organ was checked in vitro on shrimp larvae and in antioxidant tests. The toxicity test showed that the seven hydroethanolic extracts had their LC50 between 0.20 and 1.85 mg/ml and were all above 0.1 mg/ml, the LC50 threshold set for in vitro toxicity tests. Concerning antioxidant activity, the DPPH antiradical test showed that the fourteen extracts had IC50 between 38.21 to 96.10 μg/ mL, higher than 7.79 µg/mL which is the IC50 of quercetin used as a standard drug. The results showed that the extracts had antioxidant activity and were not toxic to shrimp larvae in vitro. However, toxicity studies will be further evaluated in vivo in animals to prove their safety and their use in traditional medicine in Togo.
  • Ocheje, Joshua & Ogunyemi, Oludare & Gyebi, Gideon. (2019). Molecular Docking Studies of Bioactive Compounds from Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) on Metabolic Regulators in Cancer. 1. 1-18. Bioactive components of dietary herbs and spices are promising chemopreventive agents in cancer. This study focused on evaluating the binding characteristics of some previously reported compounds from clove to some key metabolic regulators (AMPK, Akt1, PI3K, and LKB1) in cancer. To this end, the crystal structures of receptors and the ligands were retrieved from the protein databank and PubChem database respectively prepared using Autodock tools and docked using BINDSURF to find the binding sites and characterize the ligand-protein complexes. Results revealed that limonin, oleanolic acid, myricetin, and isorhamnetin exhibited higher affinity binding than the standard drug metformin with the proteins. Evaluation of ligand-protein complexes revealed the involvement of multiple interactions such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals forces, depending on the amino acid composition of binding sites and chemical properties of the compounds. While limonin exhibits hydrogen bonding with specific amino acid residues of AMPK (ARG298 and SER241), PI3K (HIS295 and ARG849), and LKB1 (ARG55, SER58, and ARG18); isorhamnetin bonds with AMPK (SER255, SER315, HIS297 HIS150, and SER313) and AKT1 (THR211 and THR82); and oleanolic acid bonds with PI3K (ALA822, LEU823, SER824, ILE828, and GLU880) and LKB1 (ASN42 and ASP124). In conclusion, limonin, isorhamnetin, and Oleanolic acid from clove, which exhibited high-affinity interactions with multiple metabolic regulators in silico may be exploited as important nutraceuticals in targeting Warburg effects in cancer. However, in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate such a claim.
  • Abadi, Atena & Karimi, Ehsan & Oskoueian, Ehsan & Mohammad, Ghasem & Shafaei, Negin. (2022). Chemical investigation and screening of anti-cancer potential of Syzygium aromaticum L. bud (clove) essential oil nanoemulsion. 3 Biotech. 12. 10. 1007/ s13205- 022- 03117- 2. This study was done to improve the medicinal properties of Syzygium Aromaticum L by processing S. Aromaticum L. bud essential oil (SABE) to the Nanoemulsion drug delivery system (SABE- NE) and investigating its anti-tumor and apoptotic impacts against the human HT- 29 colon cancer cells. Applying the ultra-sonication method and characterization by DLS and FESEM analysis facilitates the nano-emulsification procedure. Human cancer (HT-  29) and normal (HFF) cell lines were then evaluated based on the SABE-NE apoptotic and cytotoxic effects. In an in vitro section, the flow cytometry method, Cas3 gene profile, AO/PI cell staining, and MTT assays are used to analyze the apoptotic and cytotoxic activities. In further analysis, liver lipid peroxidation and antioxidant gene expression (SOD, CAT, and GPx) investigate alterations in mice organs. As a result, produced 131.2 nm SABE-NE induces apoptosis response and cellular death (Cas3 up-regulation and enhanced SubG1 peaks). Subsequently, the HT- 29 cells’ viability can reduce significantly, while HFF cells indicate confined cytotoxic impacts. Moreover, in vivo, test results on mice livers demonstrate the cytoprotective properties of SABE-NE (reduced lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzymes gene expression and undetectable cytotoxic impacts). We produced a novel nanoemulsion drug delivery system called SABE- NE, a cell-specific apoptotic inducer. We thus can be utilized as an efficient anti-cancer compound for human colon cancer treatment. However, further supplementary studies are required to verify and approve its cell-specific anti-tumor activity.
  • Dwivedi, Vinay & Shrivastava, Richa & Hussain, Showket & Ganguly, Chaiti & Bharadwaj, Mausumi. (2011). Comparative Anticancer Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) – an Indian Spice – Against Cancer Cell Lines of Various Anatomical Origin. Asian Pacific Journal of cancer prevention: APJCP. 12. 1989-93. Spices, active ingredients of Indian cooking, may play important roles in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. The objective of the present study is to compare the in vitro anticancer activities of three different extracts of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L), a commonly used spice and food flavoring agent, against different kinds of cancer cell lines of various anatomical derivations. Water, ethanol, and oil extracts were screened for anti-proliferative activity against HeLa (cervical cancer), MCF- 7 (ER + ve) and MDA- MB- 231 (ER – ve) breast cancer, DU- 145 prostate cancer and TE-13 esophageal cancer cell lines, along with normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Inhibition of cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay as a vital stain. In the examined five cancer cell lines, the extracts showed different patterns of cell growth inhibition activity, with the oil extract having maximal cytotoxic activity. Morphological analysis and DAPI staining showed cytotoxicity to be a result of cell disruption with subsequent membrane rupture. Maximum cell death and apoptotic cell demise occurred in TE- 13 cells within 24 hours by clove oil at 300 μl/ ml with 80% cell death whereas DU-145 cells showed minimal cell death. At the same time, no significant cytotoxicity was found in human PBMCs at the same dose.
  • Radunz, Marjana & Trindade, Maria & Camargo, Taiane & Radünz, André & Borges, Caroline & Gandra, Eliezer & Helbig, Elizabete. (2018). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of unencapsulated and encapsulated clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) essential oil. Food Chemistry. 276. 10. 1016/ j. food chem. 2018. 09. 173. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) essential oil is known for its antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic bacteria. Encapsulation of clove oil was proposed as a means to disguise its strong odor that limits its uses in the food industry. Thus, the aim of this study was extraction, encapsulation, and assessment of the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of clove essential oil. The essential oil showed high DPPH scavenging capacity and low hydroxyl radical inhibition. Clove essential oil showed in vitro inhibitory and bactericidal effects against S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. Typhimurium. In addition, in situ, the antimicrobial activity of clove oil against S. aureus was superior to nitrite. The essential oil particles encapsulated with sodium alginate and emulsifiers showed high encapsulation efficiency, low antioxidant activity, and strong antimicrobial inhibition. Similar bacterial growth was observed in meat-like products after the addition of either particles or nitrite.
  • The molecular mechanism of eugenol-induced apoptosis in melanoma, skin tumors, osteosarcoma, leukemia, gastric and mast cells has been well documented. This review article will highlight the antiproliferative activity and molecular mechanism of the eugenol-induced apoptosis cancer cells and animal models.
  • Jaganathan SK, Supriyanto E. Antiproliferative and molecular mechanism of eugenol-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Molecules. 2012 May 25; 17 (6): 6290- 304. doi 10. 3390/ molecules 17066290.
  • The plant Syzigium aromaticum (SYZ), commonly known as clove, has since been employed locally to treat constipation. Attempts to complement the effort of other research called for its selection for laboratory investigation, to determine its possible effect on intestinal propulsion in rodents as well as its suspected gastrointestinal protective properties. The findings explain the folkloric uses of SYZ as an antiulcer and a purgative agent as well as its possible mechanism of action. Agbaje EO. Gastrointestinal effects of Syzigium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae) in animal models. Nig Q J Hosp Med. 2008 Jul- Sep; 18 (3): 137- 41.
  • The essential oil extracted from the dried flower buds of clove, Eugenia caryophyllata L. Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae), is used as a topical application to relieve pain and promote healing and also finds use in the fragrance and flavoring industries. This short review addresses the chemical composition and biological effects of clove essential oil and includes new results from GC/MS analysis and a study of its antimicrobial activity against a large number of multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from dialysis biomaterial.
  • Chaieb K, Hajlaoui H, Zmantar T, Kahla-Nakbi AB, Rouabhia M, Mahdouani K, Bakhrouf A. The chemical composition and biological activity of clove essential oil, Eugenia caryophyllata (Syzigium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): a short review. Phytother Res. 2007 Jun; 21 (6): 501- 6.
  • The effects of long-term administration of boiled aqueous extract of Syzigium aromaticum (SYZ), commonly known as clove (which has been locally employed for treating gastrointestinal tract diseases and also used as food spices), on some biochemical indices, such as body weight, liver functions, and blood parameters were studied in adult albino rats of both sexes. The present work has revealed the toxicity of the subchronic administration of SYZ, which suggests that its prolonged usage must be avoided. Agbaje EO, Adeneye AA, Daramola AO. Biochemical and toxicological studies of aqueous extract of Syzigium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae) in rodents. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2009 May 7: 6 (3): 241- 54.
  • Tahir, Hafizah & Sarfraz, Raja & Adil, Shazia. (2015). Chemical Composition and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Essential Oils Obtained from Two Spices (Syzygium Aromaticum and Cuminum Cyminum). International Journal of Food Properties. 19. 10. 1080/ 10942912. 2015. 1110166. The current aim was to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of Syzygium aromaticum and Cuminum cyminum essential oils and their emulsions by alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The antidiabetic activity of C. cyminum and S. aromaticum was examined in dose-dependent mode (1 to 100 µg/ mL). Maximum anti-diabetic activity for S. aromaticum and C. cyminum essential oils was noted at the highest dose (100 µg/ mL). Five emulsions (essential oil + surfactant (tween 80) + co-surfactant (ethanol) + water) of different concentrations for S. aromaticum (A1 to A5) and C. cyminum (B1 to B5) essential oils were formulated. Among different emulsions, A5 of S. aromaticum and B5 of C. cyminum essential oil exhibited maximum anti-diabetic activity with 95.30 and 83.09 % inhibition of α-amylase, respectively. Moreover, analysis of essential oils showed that eugenol (18.7 %) and α-pinene (18.8 %) were the major components of S. aromaticum and C. cyminum essential oils, respectively.
  • Sammy, Joshua & Tamuno-emine, Davies & Nwachuku, Edna. (2020). Evaluation of Anti-diabetic, Hepatoprotective and Antilipidemic Potentials of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) on Albino Rats. 61685. 10. 9734/ JOCAMR/ 2020/ v11i130178. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic, hepatorenoprotective, and antilipidemic potentials of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) in albino rats. Study Design: This study is a non-randomized experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Methodology: Thirty-five male Wister rats with weights between 145 to 150 g were randomly selected into seven groups of five rats each. The first group served as Negative control (group 1). The second group was the positive control (Diabetic group). The remaining five groups are the treatment groups (3- 7). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) single dose. Group 3 Diabetic group treated with metformin (100 mg/ kg); Group 4 Diabetic group treated with low-dose clove (250 mg/ kg). Group 5 Diabetic group treated with low-dose clove and metformin; Group 6 Diabetic group treated with high-dose clove (750 mg/kg), while Group 7 was the Diabetic group treated with high-dose clove (750 mg/kg) and metformin for six weeks. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture in appropriate EDTA, heparinized, and sterile bottles Original Research Article Sammy et al.; JOCAMR, 11 (1): 38- 50, 2020; Article no. JOCAMR. 61685 39 for standard laboratory investigations of lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes, urea, and creatinine. Plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes, urea, and creatinine were determined using the enzymatic endpoint method under standard operating procedures. Statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism Version 5.03 and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Results revealed that the STZ-induced diabetic group exhibited a highly significant increase in the activity of liver enzymes AST, ALT, and ALP, an increase in the levels of urea, creatinine, glucose, and most lipid profile parameters as compared to the negative control group (p< 0.001). Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats indicated slight changes. However, their changes were overcome by clove treatment and the majority of the cells tend to be normal. Low-dose clove group 5 (250 mg/kg) with metformin decreased the levels of the analytes most when compared to the levels of the positive control group. For glucose, group 5 gave a mean glucose level of 4.40 ± 1.08 mmo/l, significantly lower than the positive control group 39.67 ± 0.67, ALT group 5 gave a mean ALT level of 56.00 ± 7.11, which was significantly lower than the positive control group 205.70 ± 14.79, for urea group 5 gave a mean urea level of 4.25 ± 0.77 which was significantly lower the control group 23.80 ± 3.56 at p < 0.001, thereby yielding a better treatment result. Conclusion: In conclusion, low-dose clove supplementation with metformin could be excellent adjuvant support in the therapy of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Rasa Panchaka of Lavanga

Rasa (Taste)Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
Guna (Virtue)Snigadh (oily), Laghu (light), Theekshana (sharp)
Virya (potency)Sheeta (cold potency) 
Vipaka (post-digestion)Katu (pungent)

Dosha Karma of Lavanga

Kapha- Pitta Shamaka, Pitta Hara due to Sheeta Virya. Kapha Hara because of Tikta, Katu Rasa, and Katu Vipaka.

Karma (Actions) of Lavanga

Chedana, Shleshma Putihara, Swasa Hara, Kshaya Hara, Kasaghana, Hikka Nigrehana, Trishna Prasamana, Deepana, Pachana, Ruchi Vardhana, Vata Anulomana, Shula Prashmana, Vata Anulomna, Shula Prashmana, Vajikarana, Satnya Sodhaka, Satnya Jananana, Mutra Janana, Vrikko Uttejaka, Tvachya, Ama Pachana, Jwaraghana, Katuposhtika, Hridya Uttejaka, Rakta Bhara Vardhaka, Lalastrava Jananan, Aasya Vairsya nashaka, Durgandha NashanaVishghana, Uttejaka, Rakt utkleshaka, Krimihara, Chardi Nigrehana, Mangalya, Chakshushya.

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Prayogarha Vyadhi (Therapeutic Indication) of Lavanga

Kasa, Swasa, Hikka,, Ksaya, Ura Vikara, Hridya Dourbalya, Rakta Vikara, Phirangi, Upadansha, Mutra Kricchra, Charma Vikara, Jwara, Ama Dosha, Trishna, Chardi, Dorbalya Kshya, Aruchi, Agnimandya, Arochaka, Ajirna, Aadhmana, Udara Shula, Udar Vikara, Grahani, Amla Pitta, Dantshula, Danta Krimi, Dantovesta, Mukha Roga, Knatha Roga, Mukh Vairsya, Dourgandhya, Amavata, Kati shula, Gradarsi, Dhvaj Bhanga, Klaibya, Shira Shula, Pratisyaya, Pinasa, Grabhini Vamana, Visha.

Aamyik Paryog (Therapeutic Uses) of Lavanga

Vishuchika: Clove water is useful for thirst and nausea. Similarly, cold infusion of Triphala or decoction of bhadramusta is efficacious. (Vrinda Madhava. 6/ 62)

Ajeerna, Udara Shula (Indigestion and colic): Extract of lavanga soaked in the juice of chikkika and obtained by patala- yantra removes indigestion and colic. (Siddha Bhaishjya Mannimala. 4. 266)

Shula (Pain): A paste of lavanga pounded in warm water should be applied externally. (Vaidya Manorma. 12/ 6)

Mukha Vaisadyartha (As mouth-refreshing): To produce clarity, relish and fragrance one should keep in mouth jatiphala, latakasturi, Puga, lavanga, kakkola, tambula, camphor, and ela. (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana. 5. 76- 77)

Mukha Roga (Diseases of Mouth): Lavanga is one of the ingredients in khadiradi gudika. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 26/ 210)

Pippasa (Excessive Thirst): Cloves added to a glass of water if taken will relieve Pipasa (thirst) and Utklesha (Nausea). (Vrinda Madhava. 6/ 62)

Benefits of Lavanga

Cough: Lavanga consists of active ingredients like eugenol, and flavonoids due to which Lavanga exhibits anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Due to these activities, Lavanga helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses. All these active ingredients also make Lavanga expectorant and help to expel out the mucus from the Shvasana Vaha Sansthana i.e. respiratory system and hence helps to relieve cough.

Premature Ejaculation: As per Ayurvedic classical texts Lavanga exhibits Vajikarana properties and recent research revealed that Lavanga enhances sexual activity in animal studies it was also revealed that it increased the reaction time in males. So, it reduces the risk of male sexual disorder and improves sexual performance and the problem of premature ejaculation.

Vomiting: Lavanga exhibits cold potency i.e. Sheeta Virya and Pitta balancing properties due to which it soothes gastric irritability and improves digestion.

Diarrhea: Lavanga exhibits germicidal effects against various bacteria, especially E. Coli. Lavanga helps to eliminate parasites and also calm the digestive system through its Deepana, pachana properties.

The plant drug Lavanga is a highly potent and reputable drug that is widely used as medicine, and also it is a well known aromatic herbal material and common spice. It has aromatic, stimulant, carminative, stomachic, aromatic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, antispasmodic, and antipyretic properties. The drug is externally and internally administered in different forms: powder, infusion, oil, and others. It is widely employed as an ingredient in a large number of medicinal preparations. Single and compound formulations – classically prescribed in indigenous systems of medicine as official drugs and the drug is similarly used in several other drug recipes and patent formulations prevalent in medicine and allied areas.

Benefits of Lavanga on Different Systems of Bodies

  • External Uses: Lavanga is a stimulant, antimicrobial, and tikshna, so it is applied locally in headaches and sinusitis. Chewing Lavanga is useful in stomatitis and skin disorders. Clove oil is used for massage in rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, backache, and loss of libido (ordinary oil should be mixed with it). Oil swab is used in dental caries and toothache for reducing dental pain.
  • Digestive System: Being Katu (pungent) and Tikat (bitter), Lavanga is an appetizer and digestive. Because of Tikshna’s property, it stimulates salivary glands to increase salivary secretion. This relieves dryness of the mouth, removes bad breath, and cleans the oral cavity. Carminative and analgesic because of snigdha guna. Clove is a liver stimulant. It is useful in anorexia, loss of appetite, flatulence, abdominal colic, hyperacidity, nausea, thirst, and liver disorders. In cholera, a hot infusion prepared in 40: 1 proportion is given to reduce vomiting, restlessness, and thirst in a dose of 10-20 ml.
  • Circulatory System: Stimulates heart and circulation by tikshna property, increases blood pressure. Useful in blood disorders because of its pungent and sheet properties. It is used in cardiac debility, blood disorders and syphilis (Deokusumadi yoga is used in syphilis in South India.) 
  • Respiratory System: Reduces cough, foul smell, and breathlessness, stimulates respiratory mucosa causing expectoration. Cough, asthma and hiccups, cough of tuberculosis, and bronchitis are treated effectively by clove.
  • Reproductive System: Lavanga is an excellent aphrodisiac, galactagogue, and purified breast milk. In morning sickness (emesis) clove + honey is useful orally.
  • Urinary System: Diuretic, so useful in dysuria.
  • Skin: Clove is useful in many skin disorders by its stimulating action on the skin.
  • Temperature: Lavanga is useful in fever to reduce temperature. It is Ama Pachaka and also relieves thirst and vomiting. Clove boiled in water is a good remedy for fever.
  • Satmikaran: Katu, tikta, used in tuberculosis and general debility, as a tonic.
  • Excretion: It is excreted through breath, bile, breast milk, sweat and urine.

Matra (Therapeutic Administration and Dosage) of Lavanga

  • Churna (powder): 1- 3 gm
  • Taila (oil): 1- 3 drops
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Classical Reference of Lavanga

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Karpuradi Varga- 58

Synonyms

लवङ्ग देव कुसुमं श्री संज्ञं श्रीप्रसूनकम्‌ ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Karpuradi Varga- 58- 59

Properties and action

लवङ्ग कटुकं तिक्तम लघुनेत्रहित॑ हिमम्‌ |

दीपनंपाचनंरुच्य॑ कफपित्तास्नाशकृत्‌ ||

तृष्णां छर्दि तथा आध्मानशूलमाशु विनाशयेत्‌ ||

कासं श्वासं  हिक्काञ्चक्षय क्षपयति ध्रुवम ||

Dhanwantri Nighantu Chandanadi Varga- 40

Properties and action

लवङ्ग कुसुमं हृद्यंशीतलमपित्तनाशनम्‌ |

चक्षुष्यी विष हत वृष्यं मांगलयम मूर्धरोगहत्‌ ||

Kaiydeva Nighantu Aushadhi Varga- 1334

लवङ्ग कटुकं तिक्तम रुक्षंहृद्यं हिमम लघु |

चक्षुष्य पाचनं हन्ति शूल आनाह क्षतक्षयात |

कफ पित्तस्त्र तृट कास श्वास आध्मान विष पीनसान |

Raja Nighantu Chandanadi Varga- 83

लवङ्ग शीतलमतिक्तमचक्षुष्य भक्त रोचनं |

वात पित्त कफघ्नञ्चतीक्ष्णं मूर्ध रुजापहम ||

Priya Nighantu Shatpushpadi Varga, 80- 87

लवङ्ग कटुकं तिक्तम हिमं पित्त कफ प्रणुत |

दीपनं पाचनं रुच्यम स्वरयं वात अनुलोमनं ||

ज्वर कासे तथा श्वासे क्षयेजठर शूलेषु |

ग्रहणी अग्निमांद्य  जर पित्तेप्रशस्यते ||

Dhanwantri Nighantu

लवङ्गं कुसुमं हृद्यंशीतल पित्तनाशनम्‌ |

चक्षुष्य विषहद्‌ वृष्यं मांगल्य रोग हत ||

Raja Vallabha Nighantu

आध्मानानाह शूलघ्नं लवंगं पाचनं लघु |

Atreya Samhita

देवेकुसुमोद्भवं तैलम अग्निकृद वातनाशनम्‌ |

दन्तवेष्ठकफार्त्तिघ्न॑ गर्भिण्यावमनापहम्‌ ||

Raja Nighantu, Chandanadi Varga, 83

लवंगशीतल तिक्त चक्षुष्य॑ भक्त रोचनम्‌ |

वातपित्त कफघ्नतीक्ष्ण॑ मूर्ध रुजापहम्‌ ||

Raja Nighantu, Chandanadi Varga, 84

लवङ्गसोष्णकं तीक्ष्ण विपाके मधुरं हिमम्‌ |

वातपित्तकफामघनम क्षयकासास्रदोषनुत्‌ ||

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 26/ 210

मुखरोगे

खदिरादि गुटिकायाम्‌

Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana, 5/ 77

मुखवैशद्याय

कक्कोल फल पत्र ताम्बूलस्य शुभं तथा |

तथा कर्पूर निर्याससूक्ष्ममैलायाफलानि  ||

Vaidya Manorma, 12- 6

वातार्तिशमनाय

लेपकोष्णजले पिष्टवा स्याह्नवंग त्वचा तथा |

Shodhala Nighantu

विसूच्यां पिपासाप्रतिकारार्थम्‌

पिपासायामनुत्क्लेशे लवज़स्याम्बु शस्यते |

Ashtanga Sangreha

लवंग तैलं

देवपुष्पोद्भवं तैलम अग्निकृद्वातनाशनम्‌ 

दन्तवेष्ठकफार्त्तिप्नं गर्भिण्या वमनापहम्‌ ||

Sushruta Samhita Sutra Sthana, 46

लवंग  तिक्तम कटु कफापहम |

लघु तृष्णापहम वक्त्रं क्लेद दौर्गंध्य नाशनम | 

Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana, 5/ 76

मुख वैशद्यार्थम

धारयण्यस्थन वैशद्य अरुचिसौगन्ध्यमिच्छुता 

लवङ्गस्यफलानि  ||

Bhavaprakasha Madhyama Khanda 16- 18/ 20

आरोचक लवंगादि चूर्णम

Chakra Dutta Agnimandya Chikitsa, 6- 12

पिपासायां लवङ्ग प्रयोग:

पिपासायामनूतूत्कलेशो लवङ्ग स्यान्तु शस्यते|

जातीफलस्य वा शीतं श्रृते भद्रघन स्य वा ||

Siddha Bhaishjya Manni Mala, 4/ 266

अजीर्णेशूले  देवकुसुमार्क:

छिक्किका रसमग्नानां च्युतं पातालयन्त्रत: |

सत्त्व॑ हन्ति लवङ्ग नाम जीर्णं सशिवायुधम्‌ ||

कासे कंण्ठरोगे 

लवंगादिवटी

Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana, 26/ 110

लवङ्गनखकक्कोलजातिकोशान् पलोन्मितान् ||

कर्पूरकुडवं चापि क्षिपेच्छीतेऽवतारिते |

Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana, 28/ 142- (153)- 156

Bala Taila Ingredient 

सर्ववातविकाराणांतैलान्यन्यान्यतःशृणु||

चतुष्प्रयोगाण्यायुष्यबलवर्णकराणि|

रजःशुक्रप्रदोषघ्नान्यपत्यजननानि||

निरत्ययानिसिद्धानिसर्वदोषहराणि|

सहाचरतुलायाश्चरसेतैलाढकंपचेत्||

मूलकल्काद्दशपलंपयोदत्त्वाचतुर्गुणम्|

सिद्धेऽस्मिञ्छर्कराचूर्णादष्टादशपलंभिषक्||

विनीयदारुणेष्वेतद्वातव्याधिषुयोजयेत्|

श्वदंष्ट्रास्वरसप्रस्थौद्वौसमौपयसासह||

षट्पलंशृङ्गवेरस्यगुडस्याष्टपलंतथा|

तैलप्रस्थंविपक्वंतैर्दद्यात्सर्वानिलार्तिषु||

जीर्णेतैलेदुग्धेनपेयाकल्पःप्रशस्यते|

बलाशतंगुडूच्याश्चपादंरास्नाष्टभागिकम्||

जलाढकशतेपक्त्वादशभागस्थितेरसे|

दधिमस्त्विक्षुनिर्यासशुक्तैस्तैलाढकंसमैः||

पचेत्साजपयोऽर्धांशैःकल्कैरेभिःपलोन्मितैः|

शटीसरलदार्वेलामञ्जिष्ठागुरुचन्दनैः||

पद्मकातिविषामुस्तसूर्पपर्णीहरेणुभिः|

यष्ट्याह्वसुरसव्याघ्रनखर्षभकजीवकैः||

पलाशरसकस्तूरीनलिकाजातिकोषकैः|

स्पृक्काकुङ्कुमशैलेयजातीकटुफलाम्बुभिः||

त्वचाकुन्दुरुकर्पूरतुरुष्कश्रीनिवासकैः|

लवङ्गनखकक्कोलकुष्ठमांसीप्रियङ्गुभिः||

स्थौणेयतगरध्यामवचामदनपल्लवैः|

सनागकेशरैःसिद्धेक्षिपेच्चात्रावतारिते||

पत्रकल्कंततःपूतंविधिनातत्प्रयोजयेत्|

श्वासंकासंज्वरंहिक्कांछर्दिंगुल्मान्क्षतंक्षयम्||

प्लीहशोषावपस्मारमलक्ष्मींप्रणाशयेत्|

बलातैलमिदंश्रेष्ठंवातव्याधिविनाशनम्||

(अग्निवेशायगुरुणाकृष्णात्रेयेणभाषितम्)|

इतिबलातैलम्|

Sushruta Samhita Sutra Sthana, 46/ 202- 203

जातीकोशोऽथकर्पूरंजातीकटुकयोःफलम् |

कक्को(ङ्को)लकंलवङ्गंतिक्तंकटुकफापहम् ||

लघुतृष्णापहंवक्त्रक्लेददौर्गन्ध्यनाशनम् |

Sushruta Samhita Sutra Sthana, 46/ 484- 486

तस्माद्भुक्तेरितंकफम् ||

धूमेनापोह्यहृद्यैर्वाकषायकटुतिक्तकैः |

पूगकङ्कोलकर्पूरलवङ्गसुमनःफलैः ||

फलैःकटुकषायैर्वामुखवैशद्यकारकैः |

ताम्बूलपत्रसहितैःसुगन्धैर्वाविचक्षणः ||

Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 24/ 21- 24

कर्पूरजातीकङ्कोललवङ्गकटुकाह्वयैः |

सचूर्णपूगैः सहितं पत्रं ताम्बूलजं शुभम् ||

मुखवैशद्यसौगन्ध्यकान्तिसौष्ठवकारकम् |

हनुदन्तस्वरमलजिह्वेन्द्रियविशोधनम् ||

प्रसेकशमनं हृद्यं गलामयविनाशनम् |

पथ्यं सुप्तोत्थिते भुक्ते स्नाते वान्ते  मानवे ||

रक्तपित्तक्षतक्षीणतृष्णामूर्च्छापरीतिनाम् |

रूक्षदुर्बलमर्त्यानां  हितं चास्यशोषिणाम् ||

Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana, Arsha Chikitsa

द्रोणंपीलुरसस्यवस्त्रगलितंन्यस्तंहविर्भाजने

युञ्जीतद्विपलैर्मदामधुफलाख़र्जूरधात्रीफलैः|

पाठामाद्रिदुरालभाम्लविदुलव्योषत्वगेलोल्लकैः

स्पृक्काकोललवङ्गवेल्लचपलामूलाग्निकैःपालिकैः|

गुडपलशतरोजितंनिवाते

निहितमिदंप्रपिबंश्चपक्षमात्रात्|

निशमयतिगुदाङ्कुरान्सुगुल्मा

ननलबलंप्रबलंकरोतिचाशु||

Ashtanga Hridya Uttara Sthana, Mukha Roga Pratishedha, 22/ 93

खदिरसाराद्द्वेतुलेपचेद्वल्कात्तुलांचारिमेदसः|

घटचतुष्केपादशेषेऽस्मिन्पूतेपुनःक्वथनाद्घने||

आक्षिकंक्षिपेत्सुसूक्ष्मंरजःसेव्याम्बुपत्तङ्गगैरिकम्|

चन्दनद्वय(श्यामारोध्रपुण्ड्रा

ह्वयष्ट्याह्वलाक्षाञ्जनद्वयम्||

धातकीकटुफलद्विनिशात्रिफलाचतुर्जातजोङ्गकम्|

मुस्तमञ्जिष्ठान्यग्रोधप्ररोह|वचा]मांसीयवासकम्||

पद्मकैलासमङ्गाश्चशीते

तस्मिंस्तथापालिकांपृथक्|

जातिपत्रिकांसजातीफलांसह

(नख)लवङ्गकङ्कोल्लकाम्||

स्फटिकशुभ्रसुरभिकर्पूरकुडवंतत्रावपेत्ततः|

कारयेद्गुटिकाःसदाचैताधार्यामुखेतद्वदापहाः||

Specific Formulation of Lavanga

  • Lavangadi Vati for Grahani and Amadosha
  • Lavangadi Churna for Rajayakshma and Kasa
  • Lavangadi Chatusama for Ama Atisara and Amaja Shula
  • Lavangadya Modaka for Amla Pitta and Agnimandya
  • Lavanga Asava for Parmeha and Dhatu Kshaya
  • Devkusumadi tailam
  • Bala tailam
  • Avipattikara Churnam
  • Devkusumaraka
  • Lavang Taila

Contraindication and Side Effects of Lavanga

  • Research revealed that Lavanga enhances the activity of Warfarin therapy, so it may increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Lavanga Taila in higher dosage acts as a cytotoxin and causes severe liver injury and kidney injury. So, it should be given with caution in higher dosages, especially in children.
  • Avoid the use of Lavang Oil on sensitive skin as it may cause irritation and damage to the skin where it is applied due to the active ingredient eugenol present in it.
  • It may cause damage to skin and gums on over-usage. So, it should be used under medical supervision or in the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
  • It is better to avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation as enough data is not there about its effect during pregnancy and lactation.

Suggestive Reading Regarding Syzygium aromaticum

  • Mihirangi, A.P.N. & Ediriweera, E. R. H. S. S. & Nuwan, V. G. S. I. & Wasana, R. K. R. (2016). THE STUDY OF THE MEDICINAL AND NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF Syzygium aromaticum (LAVANGA).
  • Parle, Milind & Khanna, Deepa. (2010). Clove: A champion spice. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 
  • Cortes-Rojas, D.F. & Souza, Claudia & Oliveira, Wanderley. (2014). Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): A precious spice. Asian Pacific Journal of tropical biomedicine. 4. 90- 6. 10. 1016/ S2221- 1691 (14) 60215- X.
  • Barakat, Hassan. (2014). Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activities, and Mode of Action of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) Buds Essential Oil. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology. 4. 1934- 1951. 10. 9734/ BJAST/ 2014/ 8902. Gupta, Charu & Prof, Dhan. (2019). Chemical Constituents, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Syzygium aromaticum. Indian Journal of Agricultural Biochemistry. 32. 111. 10. 5958/ 0974- 4479. 2019. 00015. 7.
  • Santin, Jose Roberto & Lemos, Marivane & Klein-Junior, Luiz & Machado, Isabel & Costa, Philipe & Oliveira, Ana & Tilia, Crislaine & Souza, Juliana & Sousa, João & Andrade, Sergio. (2011). Gastroprotective activity of essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum and its major component eugenol in different animal models. Naunyn- Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology. 383. 149- 58. 10.1007/ s00210- 010- 0582- x.
  • Sultana, Bushra & Anwar, Farooq & Mushtaq, Muhammad & Aslam, Maryam & Ijaz, Sidra. (2014). In vitro antimutagenic, antioxidant activities, and total phenolics of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) seed extracts. Pakistan Journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 27. 893- 899.
  • Buddhakala, Nopparat & Yongkhamcha, Butsara & Rattanaloeadnusorn, Sukhan & Talubmook, Chusri. (2022). Phytochemicals and Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ethanol Flower Extract of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae). Trends in Sciences. 20. 3583. 10. 48048/ tis. 2023. 3583.
  • Kandati, Vasu & Puchchakayala, Goverdhan & Challa, Sivareddy & Anisetti, Ravinder N & Reddy, R. (2012). In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium alternifolium (wt) Walp. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research. 6. 4995- 5001. 10. 5897/ JMPR12. 431.
  • Dalai, Manoj & Bhadra, Santanu & Chaudhary, Sushil & Bandyopadhyay, Arun & Mukherjee, Pulok. (2014). The anti-cholinesterase activity of the standardized extract of Syzygium aromaticum L. Pharmacognosy magazine. 10. S276- 82. 10. 4103/ 0973- 1296. 133275.
  • Tanko, Yusuf & Mohammed, A. & Okasha, MA & Umar, Abdullahi & Magaji, Rabiu. (2008). Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities Of Ethanol Extract Of Syzygium aromaticum Flower Bud In Wistar Rats And Mice. African Journal of Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines: AJTCAM / African Networks on Ethnomedicines. 5. 209- 12. 10. 4314/ ajtcam. v5i2. 31275.
  • Zouhri, Aziz & Bouddine, Toufik & el Menyiy, Naoual & El-Mernissi, Yahya & El-Akhal, Jamila & Hassan, Amhamdi & Hajji, Lhoussain. (2022). Arabian Journal of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Syzygium aromaticum: Traditional uses, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and photo-protective properties.
  • Humbal, Brijesh & Sadariya, Kamlesh & Prajapati, Jaimin & Shailesh, Bhavsar & Thaker, Aswin. (2019). Anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry oil in carrageenan-induced paw edema in female rats. Annals of Phytomedicine: An International Journal. 8. 10. 21276/ ap. 2019. 8. 2. 21.
  • Sugihartini, Nining & PRABANDARI, RANI & YUWONO, TEDJO & Rahmawati, Desty. (2019). THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF CLOVE (Syzygium aromaticum) IN ABSORPTION BASE OINTMENT WITH ADDITION OF OLEIC ACID AND PROPYLENE GLYCOL AS ENHANCER. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics. 106- 109. 10. 22159/ ijap. 2019. v11s5. T0081.
  • Uddin, ABM Neshar, Farhad Hossain, ASM Ali Reza, Mst Samima Nasrin, and AHM Khurshid Alam. “Traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemical constituents of the genus Syzygium: A review.” Food Science & Nutrition 10, no. 6 (2022): 1789- 1819.
  • Santin, Jose Roberto & Lemos, Marivane & Klein-Júnior, Luiz & Machado, Isabel & Costa, Philipe & Oliveira, Ana & Tilia, Crislaine & Souza, Juliana & Sousa, João & Andrade, Sergio. (2011). Gastroprotective activity of essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum and its major component eugenol in different animal models. Naunyn- Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology. 383. 149-58. 10. 1007/ s00210- 010- 0582- x.
  • Ayushi, Ayushi & Khan, Urooj & Danish, Syed & Mohammad, & Parveen, Uzma. (2020). A review on biological and therapeutic uses of Syzygium aromaticum Linn. (Clove): Based on phytochemistry and pharmacological evidence. 33- 39.
  • Dibazar SP, Fateh S, Daneshmandi S. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) ingredients affect lymphocyte subtypes expansion and cytokine profile responses: An in vitro evaluation. J Food Drug Anal. 2014 Dec; 22 (4): 448- 454. doi 10. 1016/ j. jfda. 2014. 04. 005. Epub 2014 Oct 28. PMID: 28911459; PMCID: PMC 9354999.
  • Dua, Anita & Singh, Avtar & Mahajan, Ritu. (2015). Antioxidants of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) prevent metal-induced oxidative damage of biomolecules. International Research Journal of Pharmacy. 6. 273- 278. 10. 7897/ 2230- 8407. 06460.
  • Alfikri, Faisal & Pujiarti, Rini & Wibisono, Gunawan & Hardiyanto, Eko. (2020). Yield, Quality, and Antioxidant Activity of Clove ( Syzygium aromaticum L.) Bud Oil at the Different Phenological Stages in Young and Mature Trees. Scientifica. 2020. 1- 8. 10. 1155/ 2020/ 9701701.
  • Dahiru, Naziru & Paliwal, Ritu & Madungurum, Muhammad & Abubakar, Abdurrahman & Abdullahi, Bilkisu. (2022). Study on Antioxidant Property of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove). Journal of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology. 10. 13. 16. 10. 54987/ jobimb. v10i1. 657.
  • Faujdar SS, Bisht D, Sharma A. Antibacterial activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) against uropathogens producing ESBL, MBL, and AmpC beta-lactamase: Are we close to getting a new antibacterial agent? J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Jan 28; 9 (1): 180- 186. doi 10. 4103/ jfmpc. jfmpc_908_19. PMID: 32110587; PMCID: PMC 7014883.
  • Aksono EB, Latifah AC, Suwanti LT, Haq KU, Pertiwi H. Clove Flower Extract (Syzygium aromaticum) Has Anticancer Potential Effect Analyzed by Molecular Docking and Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). Vet Med Int. 2022 Sep 5; 2022: 5113742. doi 10. 1155/ 2022/ 5113742. PMID: 36106174; PMCID: PMC 9467815.
  • Kumar PS, Febriyanti RM, Sofyan FF, Luftimas DE, Abdulah R. Anticancer potential of Syzygium aromaticum L. in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. Pharmacognosy Res. 2014 Oct; 6 (4): 350- 4. doi: 10. 4103/ 0974- 8490. 138291. PMID: 25276075; PMCID: PMC 4166826.
  • Choi D, Roh HS, Kang DW, Lee JS. The Potential Regressive Role of Syzygium aromaticum on the Reproduction of Male Golden Hamsters. Dev Reprod. 2014 Mar; 18 (1): 57- 64. doi 10. 12717/ DR. 2014. 18. 1. 057. PMID: 25949172; PMCID: PMC 4282266.
  • Mendi A, Yagci BG, Kiziloglu M, Saraç N, Yilmaz D, Ugur A, Uçkan D. Effects of Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Salvia triloba extracts on proliferation and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 Sep-Oct; 25 (5): 515- 522. doi 10. 1590/ 1678- 7757- 2016- 0522. PMID: 29069149; PMCID: PMC 5804388.
  • Batiha, Gaber & Alkazmi, Luay & Wasef, Lamiaa & Beshbishy, Amany & Nadwa, Eman & Rashwan, Eman. (2020). Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Activities. Biomolecules. 10. 202. 10. 3390/ biom 10020202.
  • Otunola GA. Culinary Spices in Food and Medicine: An Overview of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. and L. M. Perry [Myrtaceae]. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 17; 12: 793200. doi 10. 3389/ fphar. 2021. 793200. PMID: 35111060; PMCID: PMC 8801816.
  • Vicidomini C, Roviello V, Roviello GN. Molecular Basis of the Therapeutic Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility. Molecules. 2021 Mar 26; 26 (7): 1880. doi 10. 3390/ molecules 26071880. PMID: 33810416; PMCID: PMC  8036487.
  • Haro-González JN, Castillo-Herrera GA, Martínez-Velázquez M, Espinosa-Andrews H. Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health. Molecules. 2021 Oct 22; 26 (21): 6387. doi 10. 3390/ molecules 26216387. PMID: 34770801; PMCID: PMC 8588428.
  • Mandey, Jet Saartje. “(Peer Review) FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CLOVE (Syzygium aromaticum) AND CARROT (Daucus carota) AS CANDIDATE OF ADDITIVE FOR BROILER CHICKENS.” (2020).
  • Elhassan, IDM’HAND, Fouad Msanda, and Khalil CHERİFİ. “A review of Moroccan Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Hypertension.” International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences 6, no. 1: 48- 78.
  • Pourlak, Tala, Monireh Halimi, Tannaz Pourlak, Parham Maroufi, Saber Ghaderpour, and Arefeh Shokoohi. “Effect of Extracts of Cloves (Syzygium Aromaticum) on Hepatic Cell Damage and Oxidative Stress Caused by Diabetes in Adult Rats.” The Horizon of Medical Sciences 26, no. 4 (2020): 432- 447.
  • Uddin, ABM Neshar, Farhad Hossain, ASM Ali Reza, Mst Samima Nasrin, and AHM Khurshid Alam. “Traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemical constituents of the genus Syzygium: A review.” Food Science & Nutrition 10, no. 6 (2022): 1789-1819.
  • Pathak, Manash P., Pompy Patowary, Aparoop Das, Ps Raju, and Pronobesh Chattopadhyay. “Beta-caryophyllene exerts its anti-allergic potency by inhibiting histamine release and pro-inflammatory markers in mast cells.” 
  • Kaushal, Sonia. (2019). Phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Syzygium aromaticum: A review K Kaur and S Kaushal. 8. 1- 9.

References

  • Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhabala. In: Charaka Samhita, ed. Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya., editor. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2009. 
  • Sushruta. In: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, ed. Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya., editor. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2005. 
  • Vagbhata. In: Ashtanga Hrudaya, 9th ed. Anna Moreshwar Kunte, Krishnashastri Navarre, Harishastri, editors. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2005.
  • Bhavamishra. In: Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Karpuradi Varga 11th ed. part 2. Brahma Shankara Mishra., editor. Varanasi: Choukhambha Bharati Academy; 2009. 
  • Bhavprakasha, commentary by Bulusu Sitaram, forwarded by K.C.Chunekar
  • Sharma PV, Kaideva Nighantu. Aushadhi Varga. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi; 2006.
  • Dhanwantri Nighantu, Chandanadi Varga, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; Varanasi.
  • Tripathi I., Raja Nighantu, Chandanadi Varga, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; Varanasi; 2010
  • Priya Nighantu by P. V. Sharma, Shatpushpadi Varga Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; Varanasi.
  • Dr. Gyanendra Pandey, Dravyaguna Vigyana, reprint 2012, Chawkhamba Krishnadas Academy.
  • K. Niteshwar Dravyaguna Vigyan, reprint 2017.
  • Dr. J.L.N. Sastry and Dr. B.S. Sastry, Dravyaguna Vigyana, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi.
  • Rasa Taringini. 24. 172- 173
  • Chakrapanidatta, Chakradatta with the vaidaya Prabha hindi commentary by indra deva tripathi, chaukambha sanskrita sansthan, varanasi 2nd Edition, 1994.

Ayurveda is an Indian system of medicine that is popular since ancient times. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA® has been conducting research studies to find out different phytoconstituents of herbs and their action in the body. Such knowledge acquired by our experts is used in the preparation of medicines and providing the treatment facilities safely and effectively. IAFA® is the provider of safe and effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, mainly allergic diseases all based on Ayurveda.

Dr. Sahil Gupta completed his Bachelor of Ayurveda in Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) and Master’s Degree in Health Administration (MHA) India. He is Registered Ayurvedic Doctor & Vaidya in India having Registration No. 23780. He is the CEO and founder of IAFA. After completing BAMS, Dr. Sahil Gupta started practicing Ayruveda by giving prime importance to allergic disorders management. He became the first Ayurvedic doctor to cure Food Allergies through Ayurveda. Read More About Dr. Sahil Gupta.

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