Digestion · Dental wellness · Antioxidants
Clove: the eugenol-rich spice grandma kept for toothaches
What the science says about Syzygium aromaticum, how much to use in tea or on the gums, and who should not use it.
By Mariana Farias, Founder & Editor of Las Recetas de mi Abuela · Updated November 4, 2026
Fact-checked against USDA FoodData Central, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and peer-reviewed studies in PubMed. Educational content — not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Clove buds are about 15–20% essential oil, and 70–90% of that oil is eugenol, a strong antioxidant and natural numbing agent.
- One teaspoon of ground clove gives more than half of your daily manganese.
- Best-supported use: short-term, diluted relief for tooth and gum discomfort while you see a dentist.
- Avoid concentrated clove if you take blood thinners, and never give clove oil to children.
In many Mexican homes, cloves live in the same jar as the cinnamon sticks. They go into café de olla, Christmas ponche, mole and adobo, and — when someone had a toothache at night — grandma would press one whole clove against the sore tooth until morning. That last remedy turns out to have a real chemical explanation, and it also comes with real limits.
What is clove?
Clove is the dried, unopened flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, once called the Spice Islands. The buds are picked when they turn pink, then sun-dried until they become the hard, dark-brown "nails" that give the spice its Spanish name, clavo. Today the main producers are Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania (Zanzibar) and Sri Lanka.
Clove has one of the most intense aromas in the spice cabinet. That warmth and the slight tingling it leaves on the tongue come from its essential oil, which is unusually concentrated in the bud.
Active compounds
- EugenolThe dominant compound (70–90% of the oil). Antioxidant, antimicrobial in lab studies, and a local anesthetic used in dentistry.
- Eugenyl acetateThe second most abundant aroma compound; contributes to the fruity, sweet notes.
- β-CaryophylleneA terpene also found in black pepper, studied in the lab for anti-inflammatory activity.
- PolyphenolsGallic acid, tannins and flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin, which explain clove's very high antioxidant scores in lab tests.
What science says about clove
1. A powerful antioxidant Lab evidence
Among common culinary spices, clove consistently ranks at or near the top for total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity in laboratory assays. Eugenol neutralizes free radicals and protects fats from oxidation — which is one reason clove was used to preserve meats before refrigeration. Keep in mind that a high antioxidant score in a test tube does not automatically translate into a measurable health effect in the body; human studies are still limited.
2. Dental wellness and tooth pain Limited human evidence
This is clove's best-documented use. Dentists have used zinc oxide–eugenol materials for decades in temporary fillings and dressings because eugenol calms irritated nerve tissue. Small clinical studies have found that a clove gel applied to the gums reduced the discomfort of a dental needle about as well as a benzocaine gel. Clove does not cure a cavity or an infection: it buys you comfortable hours until you see a dentist.
3. Digestion Traditional use
Traditional medicine in Asia and Latin America uses clove to ease gas, bloating and nausea after heavy meals. Animal research suggests clove extracts may protect the stomach lining, but well-designed human trials are lacking. A cup of clove tea after a big meal is a pleasant, low-risk habit — just not a proven treatment.
4. Antimicrobial activity Lab evidence
In laboratory experiments, clove oil and eugenol inhibit several bacteria and fungi, including Candida species and bacteria involved in dental plaque. Some natural mouthwashes and toothpastes include clove for this reason. Lab results do not mean that drinking clove tea fights infections in the body.
5. Blood sugar and metabolic support Very early research
A few animal studies and small human pilot studies suggest clove polyphenols may help moderate blood sugar after meals. The research is preliminary. If you take diabetes medication, the main takeaway is caution: monitor your glucose if you start using clove regularly.
Botanical and nutrition facts
| Scientific name | Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae (myrtle family) |
| Part used | Dried flower buds; essential oil from buds, leaves and stems |
| Origin | Maluku Islands, Indonesia |
| Main compound | Eugenol (70–90% of the essential oil) |
| Flavor | Warm, pungent, slightly sweet, numbing |
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 1 tsp (2.1 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 274 kcal | 6 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 65.5 g | 1.4 g |
| Dietary fiber | 33.9 g | 0.7 g |
| Protein | 6.0 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 13.0 g | 0.3 g |
| Manganese | 60.1 mg | 1.26 mg (≈55% DV) |
| Vitamin K | 141.8 µg | 3.0 µg |
| Calcium | 632 mg | 13 mg |
| Iron | 11.8 mg | 0.25 mg |
| Potassium | 1,020 mg | 21 mg |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, "Spices, cloves, ground"). DV = Daily Value for adults (manganese 2.3 mg). Values are rounded.
Dosage calculator
How much clove should I use?
Choose a preparation and how many servings you want. The quantities adjust automatically.
👵 Grandma's clove and orange tea
- Heat 1 cup (240 ml) of water until it just boils, then turn off the heat.
- Add 3 whole cloves and a strip of orange peel (washed, without the white part).
- Cover and steep for 8–10 minutes. Covering keeps the aromatic oil in the cup instead of the air.
- Strain, and sweeten with a little honey if you like. Drink it warm after dinner.
Precautions and contraindications
🟢 Generally safe
- Healthy adults using clove as a spice in food, or 1–2 cups of clove tea a day.
- Short-term, diluted topical use on the gums in adults.
🟡 Ask your doctor first
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: food amounts are fine; avoid clove oil and supplements.
- Diabetes medication: clove may lower blood sugar — monitor your levels.
- Sensitive skin or mouth: clove oil can irritate, even diluted.
🔴 Do not use concentrated clove
- People taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, clopidogrel, daily aspirin) or with bleeding disorders: eugenol may slow clotting.
- Two weeks before any surgery or dental extraction.
- Children: never give clove essential oil by mouth or on the gums. Swallowing small amounts has caused seizures and liver damage in young children.
- Never apply undiluted clove oil to skin or gums: it can burn the tissue.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drink clove tea every day?
For most healthy adults, 1 to 2 cups a day made with 3 whole cloves per cup is a culinary amount. People taking blood thinners, people with bleeding disorders, pregnant women and anyone scheduled for surgery should talk to a doctor first.
Does clove oil help with a toothache?
Eugenol, the main compound in clove oil, has a numbing effect and is used by dentists in some temporary fillings. Diluted clove oil can give short-term relief, but it does not treat the cause of the pain, so you should see a dentist.
How many cloves a day are safe?
There is no official limit for whole cloves in food. The WHO/FAO expert committee (JECFA) set an acceptable daily intake for eugenol of up to 2.5 mg per kg of body weight. In practice, staying around 6 to 9 whole cloves a day in tea or food is a cautious culinary range for adults.
Can children take clove or clove oil?
Small amounts of clove as a spice in family food are common. Clove essential oil should never be given to children by mouth or on the gums: swallowing small amounts has caused seizures, liver damage and other serious effects in young children.
Does clove interact with medications?
Eugenol may slow blood clotting, so concentrated clove products may add to the effect of anticoagulants such as warfarin and antiplatelet drugs. Some early studies suggest clove may lower blood sugar, so people on diabetes medication should monitor their levels.
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Perfect pairing
Clove + star anise
Christmas ponche and café de olla join eugenol and anethole in one pot. Discover star anise's toxic Japanese look-alike — and why its tea must never be given to babies.
Read the star anise guide →Keep reading
More ingredients from grandma's kitchen
LemonCitrus limon
Ceylon cinnamonCinnamomum verum
ChamomileMatricaria chamomilla
GingerZingiber officinale
TurmericCurcuma longa
GarlicAllium sativum
OreganoOriganum vulgare
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
Bay leafLaurus nobilis
PeppermintMentha × piperita
HibiscusHibiscus sabdariffa
Aloe veraAloe barbadensis
Chia seedsSalvia hispanica
Star aniseIllicium verum
ValerianValeriana officinalis
Apple cider vinegarMalus domestica
FlaxseedLinum usitatissimum
EucalyptusEucalyptus globulus
Raw honeyApis mellifera
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central — Spices, cloves, ground. fdc.nal.usda.gov
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Manganese — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Herbs and Supplements. medlineplus.gov
- WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Evaluation of eugenol — acceptable daily intake 0–2.5 mg/kg body weight.
- PubMed — research on eugenol antioxidant activity. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed — clinical studies on clove gel and dental pain. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed — case reports of clove oil poisoning in children. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
⚕️ This guide is for educational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor, dentist or pharmacist. Read our full medical disclaimer.