15 Benefits of Clove Oil

Cloves smell great, but did you know that they have many health benefits associated with them? They have been used for toothache, fighting fatigue, boosting the immune system, treating acne, controlling diabetes, and treating painful sties, among other things.

Clove oil is made from cloves that start out as pink flower buds of an evergreen tree.  They are hand picked, and the buds are dried until they turn brown. They are ground down, and the powder is used in cooking or made into an essential oil.

Cloves are rich in compounds such as manganese, potassium and calcium, but it’s not a food as such – it’s used to flavor foods in small quantities. It does more than make food taste good, though. Read on for 15 benefits of using clove oil.

1. Toothache

You may have heard your grandma tell you to use cloves for a toothache and written it off as just an old wives’ tale. Your granny was right, though! The germicidal qualities of clove oil make it effective at relieving toothache and other dental or oral issues such as ulcer and sore gums.

Clove oil contains eugenol, which has been widely used in dentistry for a long time. Gargling with water mixed with clove oil can help get rid of bad breath and fight cavities.

2. Infection

Clove oil has antiseptic properties, which makes it good for treating cuts, scrapes, bruises, prickly heat, insect bites and stings, and other injuries. Clove oil is potent, so should be used in diluted form with a carrier oil, especially by those with sensitive skin.

3. Throat and Mouth Inflammation

Gum inflammation can be very painful, and is quite common. The anesthetic effect of clove oil can help relieve the pain.

4. Immune System

Cloves and clove oil work for boosting the immune system. The antioxidants present in clove oil rid the body of dangerous free radicals, which are responsible for causing a number of health issues.

5. Stress

Clove oil has a stimulating effect on the mind, and can help diminish fatigue and mental exhaustion. It has also been noted to help induce sleep and reduce insomnia, which is one of the symptoms of stress.

6. Respiratory Issues

The anti-inflammatory and cooling effect of clove oil is good for clearing the nasal passageway, and the expectorant effect is helpful for those suffering from coughs, colds, asthma and sinusitis.

7. Vomiting and Nausea

Pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness should keep a packet of dried clove buds with them to sniff when they experience the symptoms. Using clove oil in a diffuser, or rubbing a little oil on a pillow is also effective.

8. Fatigue

Clove oil is a good energy booster that helps thin the blood. This can help enhance your blood circulation system, and it also acts as a brain stimulator and cardiovascular tonic.

9. Earaches

Blending warm sesame oil and clove oil together can be a good remedy for earaches. This is due to the analgesic and anesthetic properties of cloves. It won’t cure the underlying cause, but it can reduce the severe pain of earaches.

10. Acne

If you have acne-prone skin, clove oil could be good for it. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of clove oil help to fight the bacteria that cause acne.

11. Hair Tonic

Clove oil is said to stimulate the hair follicles, so if you want to thicken your hair why not give clove oil a try? Mix it with some olive oil and apply to the hair once or twice a week, massaging into the scalp.

12. Detoxify Blood

Clove essential oil can help to purify and detox the blood. Research shows that the oil can minimize toxicity in the blood, and stimulate antioxidant activity in the whole body.

13. Premature Ejaculation

There have been studies to suggest that clove oil can help prevent premature ejaculation, but more research still needs to be done. Topical application of clove oil mixed with water reportedly enhances sexual performance, and the oil promotes blood circulation to the genital region.

14. Sties

A sty is a painful inflammation of an eyelash, and it can be very irritating. Clove and clove oil are known to be effective for preventing eye infection due to their antibacterial properties, but don’t get the oil in your eyes.

15. Diabetes

Clove oil can help to regulate the blood sugar level, which is useful for diabetes sufferers. Research shows that glucose and after-meal response systems are more controlled when clove oil is in the body. This is mainly due to the high concentration of phenol found in clove oil.

Warnings

Clove oil is very potent, and should only be used in small amounts or in a diluted form. The oil can cause blood sugar to drop, so shouldn’t be used by pregnant or nursing women, or diabetic patients without advice from their doctor first.