Laung - Syzygium aromaticum - Clove

What is Laung (Clove):
Cloves are the dried flower buds of a tropical evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) that are particularly rich in an oil called eugenol, which gives them their spicy, sweet flavor. As early as 200 bce, envoys from Java to the Han-dynasty court of China brought cloves that were customarily held in the mouth to perfume the breath during audiences with the emperor. 

In fact, it's believed that cloves were so important in early trade between China and India that they were even traded as currency: when one person paid another for goods or services, they would often give a clove in exchange for their payment.

Uses:
Today cloves are used in many foods—from fruit and candy toppings to baked goods—and can also be found in perfumes and incense.

 Diabetes

A study published in the journal "Food Chemistry" found that clove extract and nigericin, a component of clove extract, reduced insulin resistance in mouse muscle cells. Mice with diabetes that consumed nigericin also had less insulin resistance and improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and beta cell function. Another animal study found that clove bud powder on laboratory markers in a rat model of diabetes. They found that blood sugar level was lower in rats that received the clove powder compared to those in the control group that did not receive the clove powder.

Cancer
Many herbs and spices are high in antioxidants, which are chemicals that play a part in reducing damage to cells that could lead to cancer. According to Today’s Dietitian, “just 1/2 teaspoon of ground clove is said to contain more antioxidants than 1/2 cup of blueberries.” Obese people can benefit from using cloves as well because it contains quercetin and other antioxidants which help fight off fatty acids and help prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes as well as cancerous cells from forming.