For the Chimp:

The clove tree is a tall, evergreen tree, of the Myrtaceae plant family, growing up to 39 feet in height. The cloves of the clove tree are produced from the mature, red buds which appear in the rainy season; the cloves are 'beaten' from the tree and dried. Clove has been cultivated for over 2,000 years; it is though to be native of Indonesia. Today, the main producers of clove essential oil are Indonesia and Madagascar

Clove essential oil is distilled by:
    * clove bud essential oil is water distilled from the buds of the clove tree ( 60-90% eugenol).
    * clove leaf essential oil is water distilled from the leaves of the clove tree (82-88% eugenol.
    * clove stem essential oil is steam distilled from the stalks or stems of the clove tree (90-95% eugenol).

Clove bud essential oil is yellow in color with a sweet-spice fragrance; clove leaf essential oil is brown in color with a wood fragrance. Clove stem essential oil is a 'combination' of both clove bud and clove leaf characteristics; clove stem oil is also yellow in color but with a wood fragrance.

Clove stem oil is widely used in the perfumery industry; it is also substituted in the food industry for clove bud oil, due to its lower cost. Clove leaf oil is used in the chemical industry, primarily for the extraction of the chemical component eugenol. In addition to being used in the fragrance and food industries in cosmetics, drinks, dental products, perfumes and food, clove oil is also used to produce glue, varnish and to print ink.

Clove oil is a powerful therapeutic-grade essential oil long known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It is the highest scoring single ingredient ever tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale.. As a powerful antioxidant, it has immune system enhancing properties.

The therapeutic properties of clove oil are analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-neuralgic, carminative, anti-infectious, disinfectant, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, uterine and tonic. Clove oil can be used for acne, bruises, burns and cuts, keeping infection at bay and as a pain reliever. It helps with toothache, mouth sores, rheumatism and arthritis, and is used in aromatherapy.

Placing a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and then placing the cotton ball in a linen cupboard will not only fragrance the cupboard, but will help to keep fish moths at bay. (Cloves are also used in domestic cooking and baking and in the food industry)..

Clove oil is used by fish researchers, in surgeries and tagging as it is highly effective as a fish anaesthetic with potentially few or no side effects (adding vodka, or grain alcohol, will make the fish expire, if desired).

As it is one of the more 'toxic' oils, clove essential oil should be used with care. While considered safe in very small quantities as a food additive, it is toxic to humans. If ingested in sufficient quantity, It can cause life-threatening complications, including acute respiratory distress, liver failure, and central nervous system depression.