Introduction

Syzygium aromaticum is a tree species commonly known as laung, clove tree and caryophyllum. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is commercially used as a source of cloves - a well known spice.Cloves are dried unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum.Their common English name is derived from a Latin word clavus, which means ‘nail’ - this refers to the shape of the flower buds.The buds have an aromatic odour and a pungent taste.The first recorded use of cloves was by the ancient Chinese. Visitors speaking to the Emperor in court had cloves in their mouths to avoid offending him with their bad breath.