Clever Cloves

I find myself talking a lot.

Maybe more than usual, but that is debatable. As a physician and an academic teacher I need to use my voice all day.

I cannot say for sure, but it appears to me that with the Telehealth (on which I wrote blog for Moments)I am more vocally engaged during this type of visits. Whether it is a nature of those encounters, when voice is a main instrument of examination and communication, or an additive factor of upcoming allergy season with pollen in the air, I clear my voice a lot and experience throat dryness. Strain vocal cords are not fun to deal with and may result in voice fatigue and even cough. To prevent it I use sips of water during a day and soothing tea with honey at home, after hours.

What I recently discovered, and what works great is air humidifying with any warm liquid, even while waiting for tea to cool. Just few days ago I was researching throat sooting natural recipes when I came across the whole cloves. I started adding them to my tea brew.

Cloves are evergreens native to Indonesia and have been used in Asian, African and Arabic kitchens. Curious thing they are smoked and classified as cigars in US. Cloves have potent aroma, but I would not propose to use them as such.

I have seen them used in vegetable pickling used along cinnamon.

Whole cloves as spices are used in cooking of baked ham, to add zest to sauces, in apples for ciders and various fruits preparations.

I add cloves to tea for its potent spicy flavor, but also antiseptic properties. They are used in aromatherapy and to sooth airways in people with allergies.

In past they were used to relief dental and other pain, thanks to their potent oil (eugenol). While sporadic use in tea and aromatherapy may be a balanced approach to natural remedies, there is no proven efficacy in relation to specific illness, and has not been approved by FDA. In fact consumption may lead to liver problems. And as with any herbal remedy one has to consider allergic reaction to any of its component.

I enjoy my tea tremendously and my voice box thanks me for it.