Cloves are pretty well-known, especially in sweet dishes, where they’re often paired with fruits. You’ll almost always find a hint of clove in banana or pumpkin desserts.

But cloves aren’t just for sweets. All around the world, they’re used to add flavor to all kinds of foods — from preserves and sauces (sometimes tucked into an onion with a bay leaf) to vegetables, cheeses, rice, and even meat dishes.

Besides making food taste better, cloves also offer plenty of health benefits. It’s no wonder they’ve been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

1. Cloves help improve blood circulation.

Clove oil can boost blood flow throughout your body. It also helps clean the blood, which means healthier skin and a stronger immune system.

2. Cloves are a natural painkiller and antiseptic.

Thanks to eugenol, a natural antibacterial compound found in cloves, they can help clear acne scars, support healthy skin, and even slow down wrinkles. Drinking clove tea can also ease headaches, menstrual cramps, fevers, toothaches, and sore throats.

3. Cloves support digestion.

Cloves help your body produce digestive enzymes, making digestion easier and helping with problems like constipation, nausea, and stomach aches. They can also speed up your metabolism, helping you burn fat more quickly — making them a handy natural aid for weight loss.

4. Cloves are packed with antioxidants.

Cloves are strong antioxidants that fight off free radicals and protect your skin from damage. They’re especially good at producing hydrogen and stopping the breakdown of healthy fats in your body.