Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum) is a bushy, evergreen tree with a medium-sized crown that can reach a height of 8 to 20 meters. The tree has fragrant leaves and bark, but its fragrant blossom buds are what make it most well-known. Simple, glossy, brilliant green leaves. There are fragrant oil glands all over the lower surface of the leaves. Petioled elliptic leaves can reach a maximum length of 13 cm when they grow along multiple short stems. Flowers bud into little bunches. When flower buds first form, they are pale and shiny, with a fleshy appearance. As they mature, they turn green and finally turn a vivid red color. They are composed of a long, narrow ovary that is 1.5–2.0 cm long, with four tiny, triangular sepals that jut out at one end. The little ball of four overlapping petals that the sepals produce shields the internally developing floral components. Next, it takes the form of cloves, which are a spice. The clove has four unopened petals, four sepals, and a lengthy calyx of 1.5 to 2 cm in length.

The fruits are 6 mm-diameter little capsules that contain succulent, multi-angled seeds.

General Information

Cloves are another name for lavanga. It has long been one of the most popular species used in kitchens. Clove is referred to as the Laung in Hindi. According to Ayurveda, this herb is extremely valuable medicinally for treating a wide range of illnesses. This herb offers calming, cooling properties for the stomach. Pregnant women who have morning sickness can benefit from using this plant.

Eugenol, which makes up between 70 and 90 percent of the constituents of clove essential oil, is found in this herb. Beta-caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, kaempferol, acetyl eugenol, triterpenoids, gallotannic acid, rhamnetin, vanillin, and eugenin are additional significant phytochemical elements. Packed with anti-oxidant, carminative, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, immunostimulant, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, antibacterial, decongestant, expectorant, and aphrodisiac qualities are these biological chemical compounds.

Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Class: Equisetopsida
• Subclass: Magnoliidae
• Superorder: Rosanae
• Order: Myrtales
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Genus: Syzygium
• Species: Aromaticum

Habitat

This herb grows in Tanzania, Singapore, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. It is primarily grown in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India.

Names

• Latin Name: Syzygium aromaticum
• Hindi name: Laung, Lavang
• Sanskrit names: Shri Prasuna, Chandanapushpaka, Devakusuma, Bhringanga, Shekhara, and Varija.
• Telugu name: Lavangamu, Karavallu
• Gujarati, Kannada name: Lavanga
• Tamil name: Kirambu
• Malayalam name: Grampoo

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

The pitta and kapha doshas are balanced by it.

Practical uses

• This herb has a reputation for working well for digestive issues like dyspepsia, bloating, intestinal gas, nausea, upset stomach, and distention. It also aids in the alleviation of stomachaches, acid reflux, and heartburn. It also facilitates better digestion.
• Lavang's anthelmintic qualities are beneficial for eliminating intestinal worms from the body. Treatment for the different intestinal diseases brought on by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other pathogens is particularly beneficial because these infections can develop into more serious digestive issues like cholera.
• This plant has a reputation for working wonders for respiratory conditions like whooping cough, fever, bronchitis, cough, asthma, sinusitis, cold, sore throat, and tuberculosis. It facilitates the removal of phlegm and mucus from the airways. Additionally, it aids in relieving chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, and nasal congestion.
• This plant works well for treating skin diseases brought on by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This herb's antiseptic qualities are very helpful in the battle against infections of many kinds. This plant relieves cuts, bruises, scabies, acne, prickly heat, insect stings, and other minor injuries. It also helps in the natural healing of wounds.
• Applying lavanga oil to a painful location helps to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. For this reason, using this plant to treat rheumatism and arthritis is quite effective.
• Eugenol and other related chemicals, including flavonoids, isoflavones, and flavones, are abundant in this herb. These biological substances support the preservation of the mineral content in the bones as well as bone density. Therefore, cloves are a useful treatment to avoid osteoporosis.
• This herb is well-known for relieving toothaches because of its ability to do so. Additionally, using this herb helps treat a variety of oral illnesses, including gingivitis, pyrorrhea, mouth ulcers, and bleeding gums. This herb's antiseptic qualities aid in the fight against bacterial illnesses.

Parts Used

• Flower Bud

Dosage

• 1–2.5 grams of powder and 1–3 oil droplets.