The Clove tree is a pyramidal shape evergreen of the Myrtle family. It can grow to 30 to 40 feet. Cloves are the dried flower buds of the tree. They flower is yellow and has a very strong smell, but when the base of the bud turns red, before it can open, it is picked and then dried. It is native to the Spice Island or Moluccas. In the 17th and 18th century there were strong competition between the Dutch and the Portuguese for Cloves. But the Dutch won by burning all the clove trees except the one on the island of Ambon, which belonged to the Dutch. Finally the French got some trees to grow on their island and by the 19th century clove were being grown on quite a few islands. Indonesians use half of the world's clove supply. They mix it with tobacco to make a special kind of cigarette.

Cloves are a masculine herb, ruled by Jupiter, and belongs to the element of Fire, it's astrology sign is Sagittarius. It's magical properties are protection, exorcism, love, and money.

In the writings of Chinese physicians during 207 B.C. to 220 A.D. visitors to the Emperor had to hold cloves over their mouths, this was to prevent disease and not offend him with their bad breath.

Burned cloves attract riches, drives away hostile and negative forces, produces high spiritual vibration, and will purify the area. Also to stop others from gossiping about you. Worn or carried, cloves attract the opposite sex and brings comfort to the bereaved.

Anodyne (helps relieve pain), antiemetic (helps nausea and vomiting), antiseptic (stops bacteria). Clove oil will stop the pain of a toothache when dropped into a cavity. A dew drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting and clove tea will relieve nausea. Eating cloves is said to be aphrodisiac. A tincture (something extracted in alcohol)of clove oil will help stop the type of fungi that causes athlete's foot.