Cloves are the rich, brown, dried, unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. The name comes from the French “clou” meaning nail. They have been used in China for more than 2000 years for various health conditions, but their main use today is to relieve bloating and flatulence. As few recipes call for them, supplementation is an easy way to reap their full benefits.