Cloves are  a familiar spice that comes from an aromatic evergreen tree that grows up to twelve feet in height, indigenous to Madagascar and Indonesia. Cloves are flower buds that are allowed to dry and then are handpicked and steam distilled to form the essential oil.  While this spice is used in cooking, clove essential oil is used in the pharmaceutical and frangrance industries.  It has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda therapies.

Uses of Clove Essential Oil

Clove is a natural analgaesic and antiseptic used primarily in dentistry for its main ingredient eugenol.  It can be used as a remedy for tooth and gum aches, nausea, arthritis and infection.  For centuries, clove essential oil has been used to treat inflammation. There is also research that shows clove oil can help protect against liver disease. This oil can also be used as an anti-microbial and as an antiviral.

Clove essential oil is used in lotions, soaps, incense, air fresheners, aromatherapy treatments, potpourri, mouthwash, toothpaste as a natural pain reliever and insect repellents.  Add a few drops of the oil to a steamer or diffuser to help ease congestion and cough, or just to freshen the air.

Benefits of Clove Essential Oil

 The benefits of clove essential oil are vast. Here are just some common ways that clove essential oil is used today.

• Acne and Other Skin Care Treatments:  Clove essential oil is a popular ingredient in skin care products that are meant to help with acne. The oil is an anti-microbial, which helps kill off the harmful bacteria that is on the skin. This will clean up the acne over time.  This oil is often paired with tea tree or lemon oil, as both oils are help with clearing out many types of acne. It is also used in skin care products like body lotions and deodorants because it helps kill harmful bacteria on the skin.  An antioxidant is a molecule that can reverse the damage caused by free radicals. This is why clove essential oil is used in many skin care products that are meant for anti-aging.  The oil is also used to protect the body against viruses and bacteria. The oil is also used in some cleaning products as it can kill the bacteria.

• Helps with Toothaches:  One of the well-known home remedies that uses clove essential oil is for toothache. This was first documented in “Practice of Physic” during 1640. However, it could be have been used to help with tooth pain for the last 2,000 years.  Clove essential oil is used today as a solution for dry socket. It also helps relieves the discomfort and pain from dental disorders. It is also safe for infants when mixed with coconut oil and rubbed into the gums. This will numb the gums in the same way that benzocaine does.

• Insect Repellent:  The pungent smell of clove oil is repulsive to insect pests, including mosquitoes. It is a common practice in the tropics to rub the leaves of many aromatic plants on the exposed parts of the body to ward off these pesky bloodsuckers. Clove oil is an excellent alternative to this.

• Helps Relieve Headaches:  While the analgesic effect of eugenol gives quick relief, the increased blood circulation helps resolve the underlying cause of headaches, which can be anything from sinus congestion to stress.

Information:

Parts Used:  Dried flower buds

Extraction Method:  Steam distilled

Note Classification:  Middle

Aroma:  Warm, spicy, woody

Blends Well With:  Allspice, bay, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemon balm, mandarin, palmarosa, rose, sandalwood, vanilla and ylang-ylang

Caution:  As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted, in the eyes or mucus membranes.  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner.  Keep away from children.  If applying an essential oil to your skin, always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier).  The information on this website is not intended to be used in the diagnosis, treatment or mitigation of any physical or mental illness.  Essential oils are not drugs and are not considered appropriate for treatment of illness.  Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use essential oils without first consulting an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner.  The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.