Cloves have been used tonically in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion since they are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Clove oil contains eugenol, a powerful germicide, as well as caryophyllene, which has antimicrobial properties, and is used to kill parasites and repel insects.
Clove is best known as a cooking spice, but it has also been used for millennia to cure a variety of health issues. Some of these possible advantages have been scientifically validated.
1. Clove oil can help alleviate dental problems
Clove oil's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties are thought to be responsible for many of its health advantages.
Clove oil is an effective toothache and dental pain reliever. Researchers discovered that clove-based gel was comparable to benzocaine (a local anesthetic) in its capacity to relieve pain from injections in the mouth in a 2006 study of 73 adults.
The antibacterial effects of clove might help decrease the number of oral bacteria that can contribute to the development of plaque, gingivitis, and cavities, making it a good option for dental care.
2. Clove oil can help treat acne
Clove oil is sometimes used for pimples, despite the fact that tea tree oil (an essential oil used in aromatherapy) is better known as a natural spot treatment for acne.
In a mouse model, a ethanolic clove extract containing eugenol decreased the activity of the bacteria P. acnes and lowered an associated inflammatory response, according to 2017 in vivo study.
Because P. acnes is linked to acne, more research into whether clove oil can be used to treat breakouts is warranted.
3. Clove is nutritious
Clove has a lot of nutritional benefits as a spice. One teaspoon of ground cloves includes 30 percent of the RDI of manganese, 4% of the RDI of vitamin K, 3% of the RDI of vitamin C, and trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E, according to nutrition statistics. It also has a lot of fiber.
Both vitamin C and eugenol are antioxidants that can help prevent chronic diseases from developing. The mineral manganese is essential for bone health.
4. Clove oil is beneficial for diabetics
Scientists have found that clove might be beneficial for people with diabetes and prediabetes. This is based on evidence that clove may help lower blood sugar (glucose) levels before and after meals.
The glucose levels of healthy volunteers who took a polyphenolic clove extract were shown to be much lower in the 2019 pilot trial, expanding on encouraging results in preclinical investigations regarding the effect of clove on helping to regulate blood sugar.
It will take more investigation to see if a similar impact can be achieved in peoples with diabetes.
Possible Side Effects
While clove oil is widely considered safe for topical use, it has been demonstrated in a 2012 study to have an impact on the variety of the intestinal microbiota when consumed, due to the susceptibility of even some beneficial bacteria in the gut biome to eugenol.
Clove oil should not be consumed in big quantities, according to most experts. Cloves can induce a burning feeling if ingested. Instead, try applying clove oil to your skin or gums, or using it as a mouthwash. Clogard Clove Mouthwash is a commercially marketed rinse solution.
Take extra precautions to keep clove oil out of the reach of youngsters and infants. A case report from 1992 revealed that a toddler who had consumed clove oil developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hepatic necrosis. Another case report from 1991 details a child who developed central nervous system depression after ingesting clove oil.
While there is no proof that clove oil use causes these problems, it is best to be cautious than sorry.
Because there isn't enough data on the effects of clove products on pregnancy and breastfeeding, it's recommended to avoid them during these times.
