Cloves — the warming spice that helps your body through winter

Autumn has settled in here in Québec, and like every year, I’m looking for simple ways to help my body get ready for winter.

I’ve always known that some spices offer more than flavour — they can actually support our health. Cloves are one of them.

In Ayurvedic tradition (an ancient form of natural medicine from India), cloves are considered a warming spice.

They’re said to boost circulation and chase away early cold symptoms.

Modern research shows they contain eugenol, a natural compound with antiseptic and antioxidant properties.

Here’s how I use them:

💧 You can add a few to any herbal tea you like, or steep 2 or 3 cloves in hot water with a bit of honey and lemon.🍃 I personally like adding them to my mint tea, but everyone can choose the flavour they enjoy most.

🍲 Sometimes I add a few to broth or even to apple compote.

If you make your own broth (like the one I shared here on the site), toss in a couple of cloves while it simmers — it adds a nice depth of flavour.

Simple, natural, and it warms you right up.

🪄 Quick Tip : Some say good cloves should sink, but that’s not always true. The best test is the scent — if it’s warm, strong, and slightly spicy, your cloves are still full of life 🌸

Sources of inspiration :

🔗 Passeport Santé — Clou de girofle : propriétés et bienfaits

🔗 Ayurveda For You — Uses of Clove in Ayurveda

🔗 Healthline — Clove Benefits and Uses