Caryophyllus.

The dried undeveloped flower of Caryophyllum aromaticus.—East Indies.

Dose.—From five to ten grains.

Therapeutic Action.—Cloves are stimulant and carminative. They are among the most stimulating of the aromatic spices, and being possessed of an agreeable taste and odor, are much used as adjuncts to qualify the taste, smell, and action of other classes of medicine. They are, however, sometimes administered as independent remedies, as carminatives and stomachics, to relieve nausea, vomiting, flatulence and pain, and cramp in the stomach and bowels.

Oleum Caryophylli.—Oil of cloves possesses similar properties, but owing to its acridity it is seldom used alone, being employed in most instances as a corrigent of irritating or drastic cathartic remedies, to prevent either sickness or griping. In large doses it would act as an irritant poison. The oil is frequently applied to the hollow of carious teeth to relieve toothache. It is not often used as a rubefacient, notwithstanding its pungent qualities would indicate its topical use, if properly diluted before applying to the surface. Dose, from two to eight drops.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.