The health benefits of cloves include reducing tooth pain and blood sugar levels.
Cloves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
They are used in traditional Chinese andAyurvedic medicineto treat a variety of ailments.
Cloves come from an evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum)native to Indonesia.
They are also added to mouthwashes, creams, gels, and oils.
This article explores the research to support cloves and clove oil for different medical uses.
It also discusses potential side effects and warnings associated with cloves.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Preliminary research has examined cloves' use in easing dental pain or toothaches and lowering blood sugar levels.
One review on eugenol suggests that it may be an effective cancer therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy.
Forgoing traditional chemotherapeutics and relying on alternative therapies can worsen outcomes.
Talk to your cancer care team before starting any new supplement or herbal product.
Itchy Skin
It’s possible that applying clove oil to the skin can help ease itching.
While these results are promising, more research is needed to understand how clove oil impacts itchy skin.
Another study found that eugenol inhibited free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, another antioxidant.
Caution for Children
Clove oils can be toxic to children.
Store products that contain clove oil away and out of reach of children in your household.
There is insufficient safety data on cloves or clove oil in pregnant and breastfeeding people.
Therefore, you should avoid supplementing with it if you are in this group.
Clove oil should not be used for children.
Share any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking.
Cloves may have a lowering effect on blood sugars.
Adding them to a regimen that already includesdiabetes medicationscould increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia.
Adding cloves when already onblood thinnersor anticoagulants could lead to a greater risk of bruising and bleeding.
How to Use Cloves
Clove oil is available at most health food stores and supermarkets.
As with any supplements, look for one with a USP, ConsumberLabs, or NSF label.
Summary
Cloves are a spice commonly used in cooking.
They are also available in gels, creams, and mouthwashes.
Cloves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine andAyurvedic medicine.
They’ve been studied for lowering blood sugar and dental pain or toothache relief.
Be sure to discuss any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider.
2020;10(2):202. doi:10.3390/biom10020202
MedlinePlus.Clove.
2009:165-180. doi:10.1007/978-1-60327-029-8_10
Eugenol (clove oil).
In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet].
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012.
1999;130(5):459. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-130-5-199903020-00024.
