Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) have been used in traditional medicine systems—including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and folk remedies—for the symptomatic relief of colds and as a decongestant. The aromatic compounds in cloves, especially eugenol, are thought to possess mild expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, which may help alleviate symptoms such as nasal congestion and sore throat. Traditional preparations often involve clove tea or inhalation of clove-infused steam to help clear the airways.

However, scientific validation for cloves as a decongestant or specific treatment for colds in humans is limited. Laboratory studies show that clove oil and its constituents have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but these findings have not been directly translated into robust clinical evidence for cold relief or decongestion. No high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated that cloves are effective as a decongestant in treating colds. Thus, while cloves are historically used for this purpose, the current scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is weak, and their use remains primarily grounded in tradition rather than modern clinical research.

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