Do Cloves Have Any Health Benefits?

Cloves are a useful spice that add warmth and sweetness to baked goods, sauces, meat rubs, marinades and drinks. Some people also use the dried flower buds and the leaves, stems and oil from clove trees to promote healing.

Cloves are a popular herb therapy among people who use traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. The spice comes from an evergreen tree that grows in East African and Southeast Asian countries.

Functional medicine specialist Erik Modlo, MD, reviews the potential health benefits of cloves, as well as what to watch out for.

Are cloves good for you?

A chemical in cloves called eugenol gives the spice its distinct aroma. Eugenol is especially strong in clove oil, a type of essential oil or concentrated plant extract. “Eugenol may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties,” says Dr. Modlo. “Consuming cloves in small amounts in foods isn’t harmful. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support its use for medicinal purposes.”

What’s in a serving of cloves?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one teaspoon of ground cloves is 6 calories and has approximately:

• 1.4 grams of carbohydrates.
• 13 milligrams of calcium.
• 1.2 milligrams of manganese.
• 5.4 milligrams of magnesium.
• 21 milligrams of potassium.
• 6 milligrams of sodium.
• 3 micrograms of vitamin K.

So, are cloves good for you? This spice is definitely a healthier addition to your diet than, say, enriched white bread or cane sugar. But while cloves have been used for thousands of years, the scientific data just isn’t there to support many health benefits — at least yet — until more studies are done. That said, while the research to-date is mixed, here are some potential health benefits of cloves:

1. Ease dental pain and prevent gum disease

One study suggests that an herbal mouthwash made with cloves, basil and tea tree oil can reduce bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria causes dental plaque, cavities and gum disease.

But the India-based study compared this herbal mouthwash with an essential oil mouthwash. These aren’t the same mouthwashes you buy at your local drugstore with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This seal indicates a product is safe and effective at promoting good oral health. So, we don’t know how the clove-based herbal mouthwash compares with ADA-endorsed mouthwashes.

An older study found that a homemade gel made with clove oil worked as well as benzocaine (and better than placebos) to numb gums before dental procedures. And some people apply clove oil directly to their gums to ease toothache pain, but this is a treatment Dr. Modlo cautions against. “Clove oil can be irritating. It may cause burning and inflame your gums.”

2. Lower blood sugar

One non-human study suggests that eugenol in cloves may lower blood sugar levels. But taking clove supplements when you have diabetes could be dangerous. “Combining eugenol with insulin medications may cause blood sugar levels to drop too low,” warns Dr. Modlo. Severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be life-threatening.

3. Protect against cancer

Several laboratory (test tube) studies suggest that clove oil, clove extract and, specifically, eugenol may have cancer-fighting properties. But the studies used highly concentrated amounts of clove compounds that would be dangerous (toxic) to people. More research is needed to see if there are any cancer-protecting effects from eating small amounts of cloves as part of a healthy diet.

4. Relieve itchy skin

One study found that clove oil worked better than petroleum jelly and a placebo at soothing itchy skin. But some people experience burning and skin irritation after applying clove oil or clove oil products directly to their skin.

5. Improve breathing

Breathing in steam from cloves boiled in water may open stuffy nasal passages when you have a cold or other respiratory illness. And people who follow traditional Chinese medicine often chew cloves to ease sore throats and coughs.

Clove risks and side effects

Clove oil can be toxic when ingested. Children who consume even small amounts of clove oil are at risk for liver damage and seizures. Keep clove products away from children’s reach.

You should avoid clove products if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding: Cloves as a food ingredient are likely OK because the amounts are small. But there’s no safety data on clove products and supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder: Eugenol affects your ability to clot blood and stop bleeding. This can cause serious problems if you take anticoagulants or aspirin (blood thinners) or you have a bleeding disorder.
• Are getting surgery: Cloves can affect blood sugar levels and blood clotting after surgery.
• Use insulin to manage diabetes: Your blood sugar levels may become dangerously low.

Is it safe to drink clove water?

Some people soak or boil cloves in water to release their compounds and then drink the clove water. “Compared to traditional drinks like mulled ciders made with cloves and other spices, clove water is likely to have higher concentrations of eugenol and other compounds,” states Dr. Modlo. “I don’t recommend drinking clove water because there’s no way to know how much eugenol you’re getting. Plus, there’s no evidence that it’s good for you.”

But Dr. Modlo is a fan of using cloves as one of many ingredients in drinks, baked goods and other foods. “If you enjoy cloves, there are many ways to include the spice in meals,” he says. “It’s always safer and healthier to get nutrients and vitamins from foods.”