7 Benefits of Clove Essential Oil

The benefits of clove essential oil are extensive, from helping with tobacco addictions and fighting fungal infections to reducing inflammation and supporting gum health. The tiny clove is full of potent medicinal properties but best known for its chemical component eugenol. 

You can find eugenol in mainstream toothpastes and mouthwashes–and for a good reason. Yes, it has a delicious fragrant smell, but it also works wonders for oral health. Clove has been used for centuries to reduce dental pain and improve gum health. It’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties have made this essential oil a must-have in your medicine cabinet.

First, we’ll talk about the powerful properties; then, we’ll dive into the clove’s top 7 benefits. 

What is Clove Oil?

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) is native to Indonesia and Madagascar and can be grown year-round. It can be found on the tropical evergreen tree as unopened pink flower buds. After the buds are picked and dried until brown, they are steamed-distilled into clove essential oil. 

Properties of Clove Oil include:

• Analgesic (pain-relieving)
• Antibacterial 
• Antifungal 
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Antiviral 
• Antiseptic
• Antiparasitic
• Antioxidant 
• Immune stimulant 

That’s a whole lot of good for a small little bud! Are you ready to learn how you can harness the powers of clove essential oil for wellness? 

7 Clove Essential Oil Benefits 

Toothaches and Oral Care 

Clove oil is most popularly known as a natural remedy for toothaches. It’s believed that the Chinese have been using clove oil for toothaches for over 2,000 years and the French for at least 400 (1). 

Today, clove is used as a remedy for dry sockets and relieving pain due to dental disorders. In 2006, The Journal of Dentistry showed that clove essential oil produced the same numbing effect as the topical agent benzocaine commonly used before inserting a needle (2).

Furthermore, clove essential oil can be incorporated into your daily at-home dental care routine to support mouth and gum health. The Indian Department of Public Health Dentistry evaluated the effect clove had on dental erosion compared to fluoride, eugenol, eugenyl-acetate. What they found was that clove not only worked the best, but it also decreased decalcification as well as remineralized teeth (3)! 

This study proves that using conventional and mainstream toothcare full of potentially harmful fluoride is unnecessary. Opting for a DIY toothpaste made with natural clove essential oil is a far better alternative to risky fluoride. Taking a holistic dental care approach at home can save you time, money, and sometimes unnecessary (and painful) procedures at the dentist.

How to: 

Toothpaste for everyday oral care: Make your own toxin-free toothpaste with two tablespoons of coconut oil and one tablespoon baking soda plus 20 drops of clove essential oil. Brush away for preventative oral care! Warning, this may be saltier than you are used to– but trust me, you’ll get used to it. If too liquidy, put in the freezer for a couple of minutes. If too solid, run under hot water for a minute. 

For toothaches: add a drop of clove oil to the area of pain or discomfort and rinse mouth after 10 minutes.

Digestive Support 

Clove has a stimulating effect on the digestive system making it a powerful oil to help with constipation and slow bowel movement. While it works to get things moving, it can also work to ease IBS, diarrhea, indigestion, bloating, and flatulence. 

Interestingly enough, research has found clove oil to have an anti-ulcer formation effect in the digestive system, which means that it can stimulate gastric mucus production, thus protecting the gut lining (4). 

How to: 

Digestive aid: mix 2 drops of clove essential oil with 1-2 teaspoons of carrier oil. Massage onto the abdomen or area of discomfort. 

Fights Candida 

One of the most praised benefits of clove oil is its ability to fight against candida. The journal of Oral Microbiology & Immunology published a study to see how clove worked against other antifungal remedies. The study found that clove was as effective as the drug nystatin, which is commonly prescribed to manage thrush or yeast infections in the mouth! 

Clove’s antiparasitic properties also work hard to eliminate intestinal parasites. Dr. Axe recommends using clove essential oil for a short-term parasite cleanse. As always, we recommend talking with a physician before using a clove to fight parasites. 

Other natural ways to reduce and eliminate candida and yeast infections are to limit sugar and processed foods! Always opt for whole foods like leafy greens and seasonal vegetables.  

Boost Immunity

Another benefit of clove essential oil is that it can help stimulate the immune system. It’s powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties can help boost the immune system to fight off germs associated with the common cold and even the flu.  

Use clove oil as a natural preventative remedy during cold and flu season to keep your immune system strong. Diffuse 4-5 drops of clove or mix 1-2 drops with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and apply to wrists and back of neck. 

*Pregnant mama’s, avoid using clove topically 

Disinfect, Purify, Cleanse 

Clove’s antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties make it a handy cleaning supply for your home. By diffusing clove oil in your kitchen or other germy areas, you’re purifying and cleansing the air. It’s like cleaning without actually cleaning 😉 

Whether you decide to diffuse it in your home to help kill airborne germs and bacteria or you want to add a warming oil to your DIY all-purpose cleaner, clove can help you feel good in your home.

Relieve Muscle Pain or Long-Term Chronic Inflammation

As you know by now, clove has proven anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties making it a savior when it comes to chronic muscle pain or arthritis. The eugenol component in clove can help relieve chronic pain that may come from injury or joint pain (5). 

I recommend diluting 2-3 drops of clove essential oil with a carrier oil and massaging onto areas of pain. Another wonderful and easy way to keep the power of clove on-hand is to make a roller bottle. Add 15-20 drops of clove and fill the rest with fractionated coconut oil. Now you have an all-natural and effective on-the-go pain relief. 

Now that you have the top 7 benefits of clove essential oil, which are you most excited to use it for? Let me know in the comments below.