Clove Oil: Benefits, Uses and How to Use It

IMPORTANT: Clove essential oil is one of the most concentrated and most powerful essential oils there is. It must NEVER be applied undiluted to the skin or to mucous membranes, as it can cause burns, irritation and sensitisation. Do not swallow pure essential oil, and do not give it to small children. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it. People taking blood thinners (such as warfarin or aspirin) should be cautious, because eugenol can affect blood clotting. For any persistent toothache, abscess or infection, see your dentist — clove oil soothes pain temporarily, but it does not cure a cavity or an infection.

Grandma Veta from the village at the foot of the hill kept a small brown bottle tucked away in her cupboard, right next to the little jar of propolis tincture. Whenever one of her grandchildren complained of a sore tooth, she would take out the bottle, drip a single drop onto a tip of clean cotton wool and gently place it on the throbbing tooth. “Sit still and don’t swallow,” she would say. Within minutes the pain would ease and the child would fall asleep. That warm, sharp, faintly sweet smell of cloves lingered in the house for hours.

Later I understood that the smell came from eugenol, the compound that turns cloves and their oil into a genuine natural anaesthetic that has been used for centuries. Today clove oil has even found its way into modern dental practice, where eugenol is part of certain dental pastes and cements. Proof that grandma’s remedy was not mere superstition, but a tradition rooted in very concrete biochemistry.

Clove oil is obtained from the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), an evergreen tree native to the Moluccas (Indonesia) and now also cultivated in Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka and Brazil. Cloves are, in fact, the flower buds picked before they open and dried in the sun until they turn their characteristic brown colour. From these buds, steam distillation produces an essential oil extremely rich in eugenol — the compound responsible for the strong aroma and most of the therapeutic properties.

Table of Contents

• What clove oil is and how it is made
• Composition and active principles
• Health benefits
• Traditional and modern uses
• How to use it correctly (step-by-step recipes)
• Dosage and dilution
• Clove oil for hair and skin
• Practical tips and common mistakes
• Precautions and contraindications
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What clove oil is and how it is made

Clove oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of different parts of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. There are, in fact, three main types, depending on which part of the plant is used:

• Clove bud oil — the most prized, with a fine aroma and a eugenol content of around 60% to 90%. This is the one you will usually find in natural-health shops.
• Clove leaf oil — harsher in smell, with eugenol around 80–88%, used more in the perfume industry.
• Clove stem oil — also high in eugenol, used industrially.

For home use and for the remedies described in this article, clove bud oil is the most suitable and the safest.

The production process is, in principle, simple: dried cloves are crushed and exposed to hot water vapour. The steam carries off the volatile compounds, and when the vapour condenses, the essential oil separates from the floral water (hydrosol). The result is a liquid ranging from colourless to pale yellow or slightly brownish, with an intense, warm, woody and spicy smell. Over time, with exposure to air and light, the oil can darken and thicken — which is why it should be kept in dark glass bottles, away from light and heat.

Besides the pure essential oil, you can also find clove-infused oils on the market (cloves left to macerate in a vegetable oil). These are much milder, more diluted and better suited for direct application, making them a safer alternative for anyone who does not wish to handle pure essential oil.

Composition and active principles

The power of clove oil lies in its chemistry, which is exceptionally rich in aromatic phenols. Here are the main components:

• Eugenol — the star compound, usually making up 70–90% of bud oil. It has local anaesthetic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Eugenol is responsible for the “numbing” effect felt during a toothache.
• Eugenyl acetate — contributes to the fine aroma and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Beta-caryophyllene — a sesquiterpene with an anti-inflammatory effect, found in many aromatic plants.
• Various other minor components — such as methyl salicylate, gallic acid and flavonoids carried over from the raw material.

This combination explains why clove oil is used as a local anaesthetic, a disinfectant and a remedy against microbes all at once. Laboratory studies suggest that eugenol has strong activity against a wide range of bacteria and fungi, which is why clove oil is increasingly being researched as a natural alternative to certain preservatives and disinfectants.

Health benefits

Soothing toothache

This is the classic use, passed down from generation to generation. Eugenol acts as a mild local anaesthetic and also has antibacterial properties, which helps temporarily relieve pain caused by a cavity, an inflamed gum or an erupting wisdom tooth. Folk tradition recommended either chewing a whole clove next to the aching tooth, or applying a drop of diluted oil on cotton wool. Be careful, though: this is an emergency measure, not a treatment. The pain returns once the effect wears off, and the underlying problem (the cavity or infection) remains and must be treated by a dentist.

Support for oral health

Thanks to its antiseptic properties, clove oil has been used to freshen breath and fight germs in the mouth. A mouthwash diluted with a drop of clove oil can help in cases of sensitive gums or bad breath. Eugenol is still part of certain professional dental products today, which confirms the tradition.

Antiseptic and antimicrobial action

Eugenol has notable activity against many bacteria and fungi. For this reason, diluted clove oil has traditionally been used to clean minor superficial wounds, to fight skin fungi (such as those that appear between the toes) and even as an ingredient in natural household cleaning solutions.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect

Beyond teeth, diluted clove oil has been used in massages to relieve muscle and joint pain, especially in rheumatism and stiffness. The warm sensation it gives the skin helps relax the treated area, while eugenol helps reduce discomfort.

Support for digestion

In folk tradition, cloves and their oil (used with great care, only diluted and in tiny amounts) were considered carminative — that is, they helped expel gas and ease bloating. It is far safer, however, to use whole cloves in a tea or in food than to swallow essential oil.

Natural insect repellent

The strong smell of cloves is disliked by many insects. A lemon studded with cloves, or a few drops of oil on a piece of cloth, have been used since ancient times to keep moths, ants and mosquitoes away.

Traditional and modern uses

Over time, clove oil has been used in many different ways:

• in folk dentistry, to relieve toothache;
• as a disinfectant for air and surfaces (a few drops in a bowl of water set on the stove);
• in perfumery and in soap and cosmetic production;
• as a food flavouring (in industry, in strictly regulated amounts);
• as an ingredient in massage lotions for rheumatic pain;
• as a repellent for moths and other insects;
• in aromatherapy, for its tonic and warming effect.

Today, eugenol remains a recognised ingredient in dentistry, and clove oil is valued in natural cosmetics and oral-hygiene products.

How to use it correctly (step-by-step recipes)

There is only one golden rule: clove essential oil is always used diluted. Here are a few safe preparations.

Emergency remedy for toothache

1. In a teaspoon, place one teaspoon of neutral vegetable oil (olive, coconut or sunflower).
2. Add 1 drop of clove essential oil and mix well.
3. Soak a small ball of clean cotton wool in this mixture.
4. Apply the cotton directly to the aching tooth or gum, keeping contact with the tongue and cheek to a minimum.
5. Let it act for a few minutes, then remove the cotton. Do not swallow the mixture, and rinse your mouth with clean water.
6. Book an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible.

Refreshing mouthwash

1. In a glass of lukewarm water (200 ml), add 1 drop of clove essential oil and, optionally, a teaspoon of honey to help it disperse.
2. Stir very well.
3. Use it to gargle and rinse for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Do not swallow.

Massage oil for muscle and joint pain

1. In a small bottle (30 ml), pour a base vegetable oil (sweet almond, sesame or coconut).
2. Add 5–6 drops of clove essential oil (a maximum of 1% concentration).
3. Shake and use for a short massage of the painful area, 1–2 times a day.
4. Wash your hands after applying and avoid contact with the eyes.

Mild clove-infused oil (safe alternative)

1. Put a tablespoon of whole cloves into a clean jar.
2. Cover them completely with olive oil or melted coconut oil.
3. Leave to macerate for 2–3 weeks in a dark place, shaking from time to time.
4. Strain. You get a fragrant oil, far milder than the essential oil, suitable for massage or for applying to sensitive gums.

Aroma diffuser

Put 2–3 drops of clove oil into a water diffuser, perhaps combined with orange or cinnamon, for a warm, wintry aroma that freshens the air.

Dosage and dilution

For clove oil, dilution is vital:

• On the skin, the maximum recommended concentration is about 0.5–1% (that is, 1 drop of essential oil to 1–2 teaspoons of carrier oil).
• For the mouth and gums, use a single drop, always in a dispersing medium (oil, or water with honey), and never more than a few times a day, only for short periods.
• Internally, pure essential oil is not recommended without specialist supervision. If you want the digestive effects of cloves, use whole cloves in tea or in food.

More does not mean better: too much can cause burns and irritation instead of relief.

Clove oil for hair and skin

In small, well-diluted amounts, clove oil has a few valued cosmetic uses:

• For the scalp, added in a tiny amount to a base massage oil, it can give a sense of stimulated circulation and freshness. It is never applied pure to the scalp.
• For the skin, thanks to its antiseptic properties, it has been used (very diluted) to clean isolated spots. Sensitive skin reacts easily, however, so always test on a small patch first.
• Against fungi, diluted oil has been applied to nails or between the toes, but persistent fungal infections require medical advice.

Remember: the skin of the face and delicate areas is very sensitive to eugenol. Use low concentrations and stop at the first sign of redness or stinging.

Practical tips and common mistakes

Mistake no. 1: Applying the oil pure to skin or gums. This is the most common and most dangerous mistake. Undiluted clove essential oil burns mucous membranes and can cause lesions. Always dilute it.

Mistake no. 2: Using it on small children. Eugenol is too strong for children and can be toxic. Do not use clove essential oil on small children without a doctor’s recommendation.

Mistake no. 3: Swallowing the essential oil. Essential oil is not the same as whole cloves in food. Swallowed pure, it can irritate the stomach and liver. For internal effects, use whole cloves.

Mistake no. 4: Using it as a replacement for the dentist. Clove oil eases pain, but it does not treat the cavity. Postponing the dentist visit can turn a small problem into a serious abscess.

Mistake no. 5: Storing it wrongly. Left in light and heat, in a clear bottle, the oil oxidises and loses its properties. Keep it in dark glass, in a cool place.

Mistake no. 6: Skipping the tolerance test. Before the first skin use, apply the diluted mixture to a small area (for example, the inner wrist) and wait 24 hours.

Precautions and contraindications

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid clove essential oil.
• Small children: do not use without a doctor’s advice.
• Blood thinners: eugenol can affect clotting; people taking warfarin, aspirin or other anticoagulants should be cautious and ask their doctor.
• Before surgery: because of its effect on clotting, stop using it at least two weeks beforehand.
• Sensitive skin or allergies: always do a tolerance test.
• Liver conditions: eugenol is metabolised in the liver, so avoid internal use without supervision.
• Contact with eyes and mucous membranes: avoid it; if contact happens, rinse with plenty of vegetable oil (not water, which does not dissolve the oil) and then with water.

Conclusion

Clove oil is a natural remedy with a long history and genuine effectiveness, especially for the temporary relief of toothache and for its antiseptic properties. Its richness in eugenol, however, makes it one of the most powerful essential oils, which means it must be used with respect and caution: always diluted, never pure on skin or mucous membranes, never on small children or during pregnancy, and always as a help — not as a replacement for the doctor. Used correctly, this small bottle with its warm, spicy smell, like the one grandma Veta kept, can be a reliable ally in the household remedy kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put clove oil directly on the tooth that hurts? Not pure. Dilute one drop in a teaspoon of vegetable oil, soak cotton wool and apply it to the tooth. Pure oil can burn the gum and the mucous membrane.

Is clove oil good for wisdom-tooth pain? It can temporarily ease the pain and discomfort, but it does not solve the problem. If the wisdom tooth causes inflammation or infection, a dental consultation is needed.

How often can I use clove oil for toothache? Only occasionally and for short periods, as an emergency measure. It is not a long-term treatment and does not replace a visit to the dentist.

Can I swallow clove essential oil for digestion? It is not recommended without specialist supervision. For digestive effects, use whole cloves in a tea or in food.

Is clove oil safe during pregnancy? No. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid clove essential oil.

How do I store clove oil correctly? In a dark glass bottle, tightly closed, away from light and heat. That way it keeps its properties longer.

Does clove oil help against nail fungus? Diluted, it has antifungal properties and has been used traditionally, but persistent fungal infections require treatment and medical advice.

Can I use whole cloves instead of the oil? Yes, it is actually safer for internal use and for flavouring. A clove lightly chewed next to the aching tooth releases natural eugenol, and cloves in tea or food bring digestive benefits.