Benefits of Cloves: Antioxidants and Pain Relief

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Cloves are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, a spice commonly used in cooking, baking and traditional remedies. They have a strong aroma and contain several plant compounds, including eugenol, which drives many of their characteristic properties.

Cloves contain antioxidant compounds and have been studied for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, many of the reported health benefits come from laboratory or early research, and cloves should not be considered a treatment for medical conditions.

Using small amounts of cloves as a food spice is different from using concentrated clove oil or supplements. High amounts of clove oil can be toxic, so concentrated products need particular caution.

What Are Cloves?

Cloves are dried flower buds obtained from the clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum. They are commonly used as a spice in foods and beverages. Cloves contain several naturally occurring compounds, with eugenol among the best-known.

Eugenol has antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies and is also used in some dental products for temporary toothache relief. However, laboratory findings do not necessarily mean that eating cloves can prevent or treat a disease.

Cloves as a Source of Antioxidants

Cloves contain plant compounds with antioxidant activity, particularly eugenol. Antioxidants can help neutralise reactive molecules known as free radicals. This is one reason cloves have attracted interest in nutritional and laboratory research.

However, it would be misleading to say that eating cloves prevents cancer, heart disease or other chronic diseases. More research in humans is needed to determine whether cloves' antioxidant activity provides meaningful health benefits.

What Does Eugenol Do?

Eugenol is a naturally occurring compound found in clove oil and cloves. Research suggests that eugenol has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Much of the evidence comes from laboratory and experimental studies, so these findings should not be interpreted as proof that cloves can treat inflammation or disease in people.

Do Cloves Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties?

Cloves contain compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, but evidence from human studies is limited. Researchers have studied eugenol for its effects on inflammatory pathways in laboratory research. 

This may help explain some of the traditional uses of cloves. However, cloves should not replace prescribed treatment for arthritis, inflammatory diseases, or other medical conditions.

Can Cloves Help With Pain?

Clove products, particularly eugenol, have been used to temporarily relieve dental pain. Eugenol can produce a local numbing effect, which is why it is included in some dental products. Certain over-the-counter eugenol products are specifically labelled for temporary relief of toothache.

Cloves for Toothache

Clove oil or eugenol-containing dental products may temporarily reduce toothache pain. However, they do not treat the underlying cause of a toothache, such as tooth decay, an abscess or gum disease. Do not swallow concentrated clove oil or apply it carelessly to the gums, as it can cause irritation or tissue injury. 

Some eugenol toothache products specifically instruct users to avoid surrounding tissues and not swallow the product. If tooth pain continues, see a dentist rather than repeatedly treating the pain with clove oil.

Cloves and Oral Health

Laboratory studies show cloves have antimicrobial properties, and eugenol has a long history of use in dentistry. However, this does not mean that chewing cloves or using clove oil can prevent or cure gum disease. Good oral hygiene remains the foundation of oral health.

Can Cloves Help With Bad Breath?

Cloves may temporarily freshen the mouth because of their strong aroma and antimicrobial activity. However, persistent bad breath can be caused by gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, tongue coating or other health conditions. Using cloves should not replace regular brushing, flossing and dental care.

Cloves for Gum Disease

Eugenol has antimicrobial properties, but there is not enough evidence to recommend cloves as a standalone treatment for gingivitis or periodontitis. If your gums are swollen, bleeding or painful, a dental examination is more appropriate than relying on clove oil.

Cloves and Digestive Health

Cloves have traditionally been used for digestive complaints such as indigestion and gas. Some laboratory and animal research suggests that compounds in cloves may affect digestive processes. However, strong evidence that cloves reliably treat indigestion, bloating or other digestive disorders in humans is limited.

Adding a small amount of cloves to food can be part of a normal diet, but do not use concentrated clove products to treat digestive diseases without medical advice.

Can Cloves Help With Indigestion?

Cloves may have traditionally been used for digestive discomfort, but strong clinical evidence is not sufficient to say that cloves reliably treat indigestion. If indigestion is frequent, severe or associated with vomiting, weight loss, difficulty swallowing or persistent abdominal pain, consult a doctor.

Do Cloves Support Liver Health?

Cloves contain antioxidant compounds, but it is not established that eating cloves protects or detoxifies the liver. In fact, concentrated clove oil can cause serious liver injury when large amounts are swallowed. Therefore, clove oil should never be promoted as a liver detox treatment.

Cloves and Immune Health

Cloves contain compounds that show antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in laboratory studies. However, there is not enough evidence to say that eating cloves "boosts immunity" or prevents infections. A balanced diet, adequate sleep, physical activity and recommended vaccinations are much more established ways to support overall health.

Can Cloves Fight Infections?

Eugenol and other compounds in cloves can inhibit some microorganisms in laboratory studies. This does not mean that cloves can treat bacterial, viral or fungal infections in people. Do not use cloves or clove oil instead of appropriate medical treatment for respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections or other infections.

Clove Oil for Joint and Muscle Pain

Clove oil contains eugenol, which can have a local numbing effect. However, evidence is insufficient to recommend clove oil as a proven treatment for arthritis or chronic joint pain. If someone chooses to use a clove-containing topical product, they should use it according to the product instructions and dilute it appropriately when required. 

Concentrated essential oils can irritate or damage the skin.  A healthcare professional should evaluate persistent joint pain, swelling, or reduced movement.

Cloves in Traditional Medicine

Cloves have been used in traditional medical systems, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for many years. Traditional uses include digestive complaints, tooth discomfort and other conditions. 

Traditional use can provide useful historical context, but it does not by itself establish that a treatment is effective or safe for a particular medical condition.

Cloves as a Cooking Spice

Using small amounts of whole or ground cloves as a food ingredient differs greatly from consuming concentrated clove oil.

Cloves can be added to:

Using cloves as a spice can add flavour without requiring concentrated doses.

Clove Oil Safety and Precautions

Use concentrated clove oil with much more caution than cloves used in food. High amounts of eugenol or clove oil can cause serious poisoning. Reported overdose effects include severe liver injury, kidney problems, low blood sugar, seizures and loss of consciousness.

For this reason:

Allergic Reactions

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to eugenol or clove products.

Possible symptoms include:

If you develop difficulty breathing, severe swelling or other signs of a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care.

Can Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women Use Cloves?

Small amounts of cloves used as a food spice are different from medicinal doses or concentrated clove oil. Safety data for medicinal amounts of clove products during pregnancy and breastfeeding are limited. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women should speak with their healthcare provider before using concentrated clove oil or clove supplements.

Who Should Be Careful With Clove Products?

Speak with a healthcare professional before using concentrated clove products if you:

The safety of concentrated herbal products can vary by dose and formulation.

Conclusion

Cloves are a flavorful spice containing compounds such as eugenol, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial and other biological properties. Most people can safely use them in normal culinary amounts. Clove-derived eugenol is also used in some dental products for temporary toothache relief. 

However, many claims about cloves treating inflammation, infections, arthritis, digestive disorders or boosting immunity are based mainly on laboratory, animal or traditional evidence rather than strong clinical evidence. Most importantly, do not confuse culinary cloves with concentrated clove oil. Large amounts of clove oil can be toxic and may cause serious liver and other organ damage.