Getting Clove Struck: The history of cloves and love

It's mulled wine season, and whether a delicious pot of the stuff is simmering away at home, or you're wandering through a winter market, that familiar spicy but sweet aroma of cloves is instantly recognisable.

But did you know that cloves and love don't just share a lot of the same letters, but actually have a long history together?

Clove is in the air

Cloves have a long history of being associated with love and affection. In traditional Chinese medicine, cloves were believed to have aphrodisiac properties and were often given as gifts to express love and desire.

In the Victorian era, cloves were a common ingredient in love potions and were used to attract and keep a romantic partner.

But what is it about the smell of cloves that makes them so closely tied to love and romance?

One theory is that the scent of cloves activates the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for emotion and memory. The warm, spicy aroma of cloves may trigger feelings of passion and desire in some people, making them a natural choice for use in perfumes and other products designed to enhance romantic feelings.

It's getting hot in here, so take off all your cloves

Additionally, the aroma of cloves has been shown to have a calming and relaxing effect on the mind and body, which can create a more intimate and sensual atmosphere.

So next time you're looking to create a little extra love and romance in your life, consider reaching for some cloves. Simply light a clove-scented candle and the warm and spicy aroma of cloves may just help set the stage for a little extra love and affection.

Fall in clove with our Oslo | Clove Struck collection

Settle in and get cosy with our warm clove, cinnamon and spiced orange range of mulled wine scented soy wax candles, diffusers and soy wax melts.

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See more from our full collection of destination scents here.