Cloves are dried aromatic flower buds and native to Indonesia. These are used as a spice in cuisine all over the world. The clove tree is an evergreen tree which grows to a height ranging from 10 - 20 m. They have large oval leaves and crimson flowers in numerous groups of terminal clusters.

Indian Name : Laung
Botanical Name: syzygium aromaticum, eugenia aromaticum.
Family Name : Myrtaceae.

Cultivation Zone: Indonesia is the largest producer of cloves, followed by Madagascar, Zanzibar, India and Srilanka. Tanzania is another major producer of cloves contributing approximately 60% to the total world production. It is also cultivated in Brazil, the West Indies, Mauritius and Pemba.

Culinary Uses: Cloves are used to enhance the flavor of game, especially venison, wild boar and hare. These are a part, of a number of spice mixtures including ras el hanout, curry powders, mulling spices and pickling spices. Cloves also figure in the flavor of Worcestershire sauce. They are used either in whole or ground form. A studded onion is frequently used to impart an elusive character to courts-bouillons, stocks and soups. Cloves are an important constituent in the Indian cuisine. North Indian cuisine uses cloves in almost every sauce or side dish made, mostly ground up along with other spices. And in the south Indian dishes, cloves find an extensive use in the Biryani to add flavor to the rice.

Medicinal Uses: These are popularly used for analgesic and anti microbial property in a various of medical preparations. Respiratory ailments like sprains, asthma, bronchitis, muscle aches, sprains, strains, arthritis and rheumatism can also be cured. They are also said to be a natural anthelmintic.

Personal Hygiene Products: Due to their strong medicinal properties, cloves are used in varied personal hygiene products. Clove essential oil is used in aromatherapy and oil of cloves is widely used to treat toothaches in dental treatments. They are also widely used in flavoring industry, perfumery, cosmetics, toiletries, mouthwash and tooth powders, etc.

Fenugreek is used both as an herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed). It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop.

Indian Name : Methi
Botanical Name : Trigonella foenum-graecum
Family Name : Fabaceae

Medicinal Use: Fenugreek seed is widely used as a galactagogue (milk producing agent) by nursing mothers to increase inadequate breast milk supply. It has also been used to increase breast size. It can be found in capsule form in many health food stores. It is also used as a conditioner when mixed with yogurt.