Overview
Clove is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for cough. Lavanga (Cloves) are the dried unopened flower buds of the clove tree. Despite being pungent, they have a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya), which makes them unique among spices. Cloves are one of the most versatile aromatic drugs in Ayurveda - they improve digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, benefit the heart, and help in respiratory conditions. The essential oil is rich in Eugenol which has strong antiseptic and analgesic properties, making cloves particularly useful for dental pain. Mother cloves (fruits) are also used. Cloves pacify all three doshas.
How Clove Helps with Cough
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Clove has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing cough:
- Potency (Virya): Cold
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Pungent, bitter
- Qualities (Guna): Unctuous, light, penetrating
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Pungent, bitter
- Quality (Guna)
- Unctuous, light, penetrating
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- KPV–
- Key Constituents
- Volatile oil Up to 20%: eugenol, eugenol acetate, շFDU\RS\KOOHQHSKHQROV ketones, methyl salicylate, vanillin Tannins (WHO 1999, Paranjpe 2001)
- Also Known As
- English: Cloves
Sanskrit: लवङ्ग, देवकुसुम, श्रीप्रसून
Hindi: लौंग, लवंग - Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, muscle, nerve, reproductive
- Srotas
- Circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
The Prakshepa (secondary) ingredients are: Trikatu — Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) — Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum — cloves), Chaturjataka (the four aromatics — Tvak, Ela, Patra, Nagakeshara), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Pippali Moola (root of Piper longum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), and Gaja Pippali (Scindapsus officinalis).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Vida salt, Shali rice, leafy herbs, warm water, Devapushpa (cloves), and all substances that promote downward movement of Vata (Anulomana) are indeed beneficial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 33: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam)
Vida salt, Shali rice, leafy herbs, warm water, Devapushpa (cloves), and all substances that promote downward movement of Vata (Anulomana) are indeed beneficial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 22: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations); Parishishtam, Chapter 33: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 22: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam)
Betel-leaf with cloves, camphor, nutmeg, lime for mouth cleansing.
— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 24: Hygiene and Prophylactic Measures (Anagata-vadha-Prati-shedhaniya)
Betel-leaf with cloves, camphor, nutmeg, lime for mouth cleansing.
— Sushruta Samhita, Hygiene and Prophylactic Measures (Anagata-vadha-Prati-shedhaniya)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 24: Hygiene and Prophylactic Measures (Anagata-vadha-Prati-shedhaniya); Hygiene and Prophylactic Measures (Anagata-vadha-Prati-shedhaniya)
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: High pitta; inflammatory conditions
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.
Other Herbs for Cough
See all herbs for cough on the Cough page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.