Cloves, sometimes called clove flower, clover flowerbud, or its botanical name, Syzygium aromaticum, come from a tropical tree of the Myrtaceae (Myrtle) family. Cloves can be identified by their small (about one centimeter) bulb-shaped, crimson-colored (reddish-brown) buds. Clove buds bloom into beautiful red to pink flowers and are indigenous to the Moluccas or Spice Islands of Indonesia (1).

Clove trees are grown from seeds in the spring or from semi-ripe cuttings in the summer. Twice annually, unopened buds can be gathered and sun-dried. If you plan to forage for cloves, always harvest them ethically. Never collect anything from private property without direct permission. When harvesting from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. Due to the uncertainty of surrounding plants, be careful not to disturb them as they could be an endangered or threatened species. Always be kind to the earth and only harvest what you need.

According to one of my favorite herbal resources, the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, cloves’ key constituents are volatile oil (containing eugenol. Acetyl eugenol, methyl salicylate, pinene, and vanillin), gum, and tannins. Its key herbal actions include:

• Analgesic: reduces pain.
• Anthelmintic: expels or destroys parasites.
• Antiemetic: prevents nausea and vomiting.
• Antiseptic: destroys or inhibits microorganisms that cause infections.
• Antispasmodic: relieves muscle spasms.
• Carminative: relieves digestive gas and indigestion.
• Stimulant: increases alertness, energy, and nervous system activity.

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Research-Backed Health Benefits of Cloves

Cloves have been used for medicinal purposes and as a spice in cooking worldwide for many years. Some health benefits of clove include:

Antioxidant Properties

Several studies have been conducted on cloves and their antioxidant compounds (2). Antioxidants can help fight damage from harmful free radicals. The buildup of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease (3). In-vitro (test-tube) studies have found clove’s compound, eugenol, stopped oxidative damage caused by free radicals and was five times more potent than vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant (4).

Antibacterial Properties

An antibacterial property is when a substance, or in this case, an herb, can destroy or suppress the growth and reproduction of bacteria (5). One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6). In another test-tube study, cloves stopped the growth of two bacteria that contribute to gum disease (7).

May Help Manage Stomach Ulcers

Research suggests that the compounds in cloves may help reduce and even manage stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are painful sores that occur in the stomach’s lining, usually as a result of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (8). An animal study found that clove essential oil increased gastric mucus production, protecting the stomach lining (9). Another animal study found clove extract helps manage stomach ulcers, exhibiting similar effects to several anti-ulcer medications (10).

May Help Control Diabetes & Blood Sugar Levels

As of 2020, 34.2 million (1 in 10) Americans have diabetes, and another 88 million (1 in 3) Americans have prediabetes (1). Thankfully, several studies have found that cloves have compounds that possess insulin-like effects on blood sugar. One animal study found clove extract helped moderate blood sugar increases in diabetic mice (12). In another study, cloves and nigericin (an antibiotic generated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus) increased sugar uptake from the blood into the cells, leading to increased insulin secretion and improved function of insulin-producing cells (13).

May Promote Bone Health

Low bone mass affects an estimated 43 million older adults here in the United States, which can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of bone fractures and breaks (14). Cloves are rich in manganese, an essential trace element cofactor for many bodily functions such as blood clotting, hemostasis, bone formation, immune response, and even reproduction (15,16). One animal study found that taking manganese supplements for 12 weeks increased bone mineral density and growth (17). In another animal study, clove extract improved several markers of osteoporosis while increasing bone density and strength (18).

May Support Liver Health

The liver is the largest organ in the human body and is responsible for over 500 functions, including fighting infections, protein digestion, and mineral storage (). Studies have shown several beneficial compounds in cloves, like eugenol, which may help promote and improve liver health. One animal study gave mice with fatty liver disease mixtures containing clove oil with eugenol and noted improvements in oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver function (20). In another animal study, the eugenol compound found in cloves helped reverse signs of liver cirrhosis or scarring of the liver (21). Although most studies are limited to animal studies, a human study found that taking a eugenol supplement for just one week decreased glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), a family of enzymes involved in detoxification and often a marker of liver disease (22).

Anticancer Properties

Statistics say that 158.3 of every 100,000 individuals will die from cancer, but what if they didn’t have to (23)? Thankfully, some research signifies that the compounds found in cloves may help protect against cancer. In-vitro, clove extract stopped the growth of tumors and killed cancer cells (24). In another test-tube study, clove oil killed 80 percent of esophageal cancer cells (25). Another study noted that clove promoted the death of cervical cancer cells (26).

Safety Information, Contraindications & Interactions

According to the mainstream, although clove is commonly consumed in foods, there isn’t enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in significant amounts when pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, they recommend staying on the safe side and sticking to food amounts (27).

Unfortunately, my go-to herbalist had no information on cloves, so I took it upon myself to fact-check the mainstream claims. After searching many scientific databases, I could not find any studies that warranted concern while pregnant or breastfeeding. Every study I came across simply stated there is no information at this time, which doesn’t mean it’s unsafe; it means it hasn’t been studied. With that said, I believe there is no reason to caution against using clove during these life stages. Nonetheless, other herbalists consider clove a safe herb with no reported adverse events (28).

While researching cloves, I found a study demonstrating eugenol in therapeutic doses is safe in typical whole herb consumption and low oil doses. Still, the study compared higher clove doses to the overdose of acetaminophen (29).

If you read my post How to Practice Essential Oil Safety, you know aromatherapist Wendy Robbins states they should never be taken internally or applied undiluted. However, she does note clove essential oil has a moderate risk of mucous membrane irritation, may inhibit blood clotting, poses a drug interaction hazard, and may cause embryotoxicity. There is a moderate risk of skin sensitization, and it should be diluted at the recommended dermal maximum of 0.5%. Additionally, it is advised not to topically apply clove essential oil to children younger than two years old (30).

How to Use Cloves & Product Recommendations

I try to buy herbs locally when I make my own herbal remedies. When buying locally isn’t an option, I typically purchase from one of the following brands I trust:

• Anthony’s Goods
• Frontier Co-op
• Starwest Botanicals

Looking for additional herbal suppliers? Check out my post, 3 Ways to Source Herbs.

I haven’t had the opportunity to make herbal remedies with clove, but I have made a mouth-soothing mouthwash from it (recipe coming soon). Aside from that, I enjoy a few premade products, including:

• Herb Pharm’s Clove Liquid Extract ​​supports the body during occasional gas and indigestion. To ensure optimal extraction of the herb’s bioactive compounds, organic flower buds are hand-harvested when their color changes from green to crimson, carefully dried to retain their full aroma and flavor, then thoroughly extracted.
• Plant Therapy’s Clove Bud Essential Oil and Organic Clove Bud Essential Oil can help clean your home, especially during seasonal illnesses. Diffuse them into the air to help support a healthy immune system, or blend them with other essential oils to help relieve discomfort in aching joints.
• The Brother’s Apothecary Apple Spice Whipped Honey is an exceptionally spreadable, deliciously spiced whipped CBD honey made with raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. This honey is CBD-infused and rich in unique proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria to support a healthy and happy stomach.
• The Brother’s Apothecary Chai Awakening is crafted with simple ingredients like Darjeeling tea plus spices, including ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. Each cup provides a full-bodied, spicy, and irresistible drinking experience. This CBD-infused tea is more pungent than sweet, with a unique toasted flavor.
• The Brother’s Apothecary Spiced Cacao is a uniquely rich, distinctly spiced cocoa inspired by traditional recipes. This CBD-infused hot cocoa is made with Peruvian cacao, coconut, bold spices, and a touch of sweetness.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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