Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) are among the most widely used culinary spices in traditional and contemporary digestive health practices. Both possess bioactive compounds such as eugenol in clove and gingerols in ginger known for their carminative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Emerging evidence suggests that water-based preparations of these botanicals may elicit mild digestive relief by reducing bloating, enhancing gastric motility, and supporting overall gastrointestinal function. However, there is limited comparative evidence evaluating the relative effectiveness of clove water infusion versus ginger water infusion specifically in healthy adults experiencing mild digestive discomfort. This research aims to bridge that gap by examining their acute effects on subjective digestive comfort, perceived abdominal lightness, and reduction in post-meal bloating, using standardized infusion protocols. The background literature demonstrates that both clove and ginger have significant gastroprotective and pro-motility actions, yet no controlled comparative research has been reported. The present investigation hypothesizes that both infusions will provide measurable mild digestive relief, with ginger water infusion potentially demonstrating slightly superior improvement due to its well-documented pro-kinetic activity. The findings of this research may provide evidence-based guidance for simple, accessible, and non-pharmacological digestive support options for the general population.