Clove Tree
(Syzygium Aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry)
Clove Tree
(Syzygium Aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry)
The Clove plant is native to the Maluku Islands (Ternate and Tidore) and was known by explorers as the Spice Islands. The French successfully cultivated it in Mauritius. Clove cultivation then spread to Guyana, Brazil, and Zanzibar. Cloves are frequently used as a spice in various cuisines. Cloves also possess health benefits
It grows ideally in tropical regions at an altitude of 0–900 m a.s.l., with an annual rainfall between 1,500–2,500 mm/year or 2,500–3,500 mm/year and a dry season of less than 2 months. Suitable soil types include andosol, latosol, and red-yellow podzolic, with a soil pH of 5.5–6.5. The air temperature should be 22–28 ºC.
Root: Taproot and is branched.
Stem: Straight, round in shape, with a rough surface, and a length of 10–15 m.
Leaves: Compound, complete leaves (berdaun lengkap), oblong, with flowers at the tip.
Flowers: Solitary, small, green when young and turn red when mature.
Fruit: Accessory fruit (semu), the fruit stalk is green and turns red after blooming.
Seed: Has a skin, funiculus (tali pusar), and seed kernel.
Propagation is done vegetatively (cuttings, air layering, grafting) and generatively (seed).
Nursery: Soak seeds (24 hours) in water, then sow in a cocopeat medium. After 2–3 weeks, transfer to polybags (20 x 25 cm). Transfer to the main nursery after they are 1–2 months old.
It is an antiseptic, treats wounds, is anti-inflammatory, used in dental care, is antimalarial, treats gastric ulcers, controls sugar levels, increases male stamina, and cleanses the lungs.
Saponins, tannins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), polyphenols, eugenol acetate, β-caryophyllene, phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, ellagic, salicylic acids, gallic acid), and volatile oils (eugenol, acetyl eugenol).
Ingredients: Prepare: 100 g of palm sugar (gula merah), 1 stalk of lemongrass (serai), 40 g of ginger (jahe), 5 fresh betel leaves (daun sirih), and 7 cloves (cengkeh) buds.
Preparation: Slice the betel leaves and ginger, then bruise the lemongrass. Boil all ingredients with 500 ml of water until it boils down and only 250 ml of water remains. Cool the liquid.
Dosage:Drink twice a day, in the morning and at night.
Socfindo Conservation. 2023. Cengkeh. https://www.socfindoconservation.co.id/plant/318 (24-05-2023)