Pain Relief, Skin Problems, Cooking, and More

Clove is a versatile plant, and its natural oil can relieve pain, improve skin health, or keep unwanted bugs away — to name just a few of its benefits. As a supplement, clove oil is also widely accessible: You can find it in health food stores and drug stores, grocery stores, and for purchase online.

Just because clove oil is natural, that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Plants can have powerful properties, some of which can cause side effects, and clove is no exception.

In this article, we cover the top seven uses for clove oil, as well as its risks, and explain what precautions to take.

But first, let’s have a look at what clove oil is.

What Is Clove Oil?

Clove — or Syzygium aromaticum, its scientific name — is a fragrant plant originally from Indonesia. Clove is mainly grown in tropical countries, and people from all over the world use it as an ingredient in cooking, perfumes, and cosmetics because of its fragrance and other beneficial properties.

“Clove oil contains eugenol, which is the part of clove oil that has been associated with health benefits,” explains Christopher Norman, a holistic nurse with the National Council of Aging (NCOA). Research shows that eugenol has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties.

But clove oil can also be toxic to living organisms. This is what makes it great for repelling pests and killing off bacteria. It’s also why you should be careful when using it. “Always consult a healthcare professional to make sure it’s safe to use,” says Norman. “As with any medication, especially herbal medicines, it’s important to understand how potent it is, its potential side effects, and how it might interact with your other medications.”

Below, we review 10 of clove oil’s most common uses, as well as application methods and precautions.

1. Clove Oil for Skin Problems

Clove oil may help rejuvenate the skin and repair damage from UV rays. It may also help your skin heal faster from minor cuts and reduce scarring.

Also, “clove oil’s antibacterial properties make it effective in combating infections, including skin conditions like acne and athlete’s foot,” explains Sebnem Ünlüisler, a genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute.

“However, it is important to use clove oil with caution,” explains Ms. Ünlüisler. “It should always be diluted with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation, and potential allergic reactions should be monitored by testing a small amount on the skin first.”

2. Clove Oil for Pain Relief

“Clove essential oil is an excellent pain reliever,” says Sina Smith, MD, the medical director of the Chicago Healing Center and the author of Demystifying Acupuncture: Modern Answers About Ancient Medicine.

“Clove oil has been shown to work directly through the types of pain fibers that respond to sharp pain (nociceptors) and indirectly through inflammatory chemical messengers that alter the pain response,” explains Dr. Smith, who is a licensed acupuncturist trained in functional, integrative, and culinary medicine.

If your muscles are sore or sore after a hard workout, try an ointment containing clove oil. Or, you can dilute clove oil yourself and apply it to your aching muscles and joints. Remember to apply to a small patch of skin first.

Smith adds that clove oil can also treat dental pain.

To help relieve a toothache, dab a cotton pad in diluted clove oil and apply it to your tooth. To create your own solution, you can follow these guidelines from Drugs.com. But, it’s key to remember that clove oil for dental pain is only a temporary remedy and doesn’t replace professional dental care. See your dentist as soon as possible.

On a related note, you should never give your teething baby clove oil to relieve their pain, despite misleading information you may find online. Clove oil is not safe for children, especially those younger than 2 years old; Giving them clove oil may have serious side effects such as seizures or liver damage.

3. Clove Oil for Soothing Irritation

Clove oil may relieve chronic itching caused by other conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it can have a soothing effect on the skin.

“Clove is also very helpful in wound healing,” explains Dr. Smith. “In fact,” Smith adds, “in a study that compared clove essential oil to diclofenac gel and neomycin cream, the clove was equivalent to both pharmaceuticals.”

You can apply clove oil as an ointment directly on the skin, but follow the instructions on the product’s label and tell your doctor before you start using the supplement. Test on a small part of your skin first to ensure you’re not allergic to it.

4. Clove Oil for Improving Blood Circulation

“Clove oil may also help lower blood pressure and improve heart health by dilating arteries and reducing blood clot formation,” says Ünlüisler. Research shows it may lower the risk of arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular disorders related to oxidative stress.

Clove oil is available in various forms, from gels and creams to tablets, teas, and tinctures. But there is no official guidance on what amount of clove oil is safe to take by mouth, for blood circulation or otherwise. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any form of the supplement.

5. Clove Oil for Cooking

Cloves can enrich the taste of many dishes. Whether you use cloves whole, only their leaves, or clove oil when you’re cooking, this ingredient’s warm and spicy flavor can greatly enhance your cooking.

Clove oil is also increasingly used as a natural preservative. It can preserve ready-to-eat meals and processed foods, as well as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and baked goods.

Remember that ingesting too much clove oil can upset your stomach. Stick to the recipe when you add it to your cooking, and remember to eat as many fresh, unprocessed foods as possible for optimal health.

Finally, clove oil can help eliminate unpleasant cooking odors from your kitchen. Some foods like steaks or fish can cause a strong smell during cooking, but burning some clove-scented oils or incense can help soak up these smells and replace them with a pleasant fragrance.

6. Clove Oil for Increasing Libido

There’s some evidence that clove oil may increase sexual activity and sexual performance. In animal studies, clove has boosted mating behavior and performance in males. In some human studies too, clove oil has prevented premature ejaculation.

As with other clove oil benefits, “more human studies are necessary,” explains Norman. The evidence is “inconsistent,” he says: different people have different reactions, so some may benefit while others won’t.

You can try taking clove oil by mouth to see if it helps your sex drive. However, speak to your doctor before you start taking it and stay within the dosage limits they recommend.

There are also creams that combine clove oil with other ingredients and can be applied locally to prevent premature ejaculation. If you choose this method, remember to test the ointment on a small surface of your skin first and follow the instructions laid out on Drugs.com.

7. Clove Oil for Reducing Stomach Pain

Clove oil may reduce nausea and prevent stomach ulcers by increasing mucus production in the digestive tract. There is also some evidence that clove oil may relieve symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain. Some experts argue this evidence is insufficient.

“It’s important to remember that, as with many herbal medications, people can react differently to clove oil, so benefits can vary,” explains Norman. Both he and Ünlüisler caution that ingesting clove oil can cause stomach upset and should only be done under medical supervision.

“Swallowing clove oil can potentially cause liver damage and problems with blood clotting. It is safest to use under the guidance of a healthcare professional,” Norman says.

The Takeaway

Clove oil is a versatile ingredient that can alleviate some ailments and promote good overall health. The benefits of clove oil range from pain relief and soothing skin irritation to killing off unwanted weeds and pests. It has antibacterial properties, which helps it prevent infections but also keep surfaces clean.

But you should be careful when considering clove oil as a supplement. “It’s important to always mix it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond to prevent irritation when applying it to your skin or gums,” says Norman. “It is also a good idea to test the oil on a small area of your skin to make sure you do not react poorly to it.” Remember that swallowing clove oil can upset your stomach, and large quantities are toxic to the liver. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking clove oil.