7 Health Benefits of Cloves

Who doesn’t love the pungent and sweet smell of cloves in mulled cider, gingerbread cookies or just about anything during the holiday season? But the holidays aren’t the only time of year to show cloves a little love. Their many health benefits are reason enough to incorporate ground cloves, whole cloves, or clove essential oil into your daily health regime. Here are 7 health benefits cloves offer:

ARTHRITIS ALLEVIATOR

Clove essential oil is a great natural remedy for joint pain. Clove oil contains a naturally-occurring compound called eugenol which is known for its anti-pain properties and is especially great for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as gout and fibromyalgia. Because pure essential oil of cloves is quite concentrated and therefore highly potent, you’ll need to dilute it in a carrier oil like apricot kernel or sweet almond oil prior to use. One drop of clove oil per teaspoon of carrier oil makes an excellent natural and effective joint liniment. If you have sensitive skin, it may not be right for you.

PAIN RELIEVER

Clove oil is also great for other types of pain, including: fibromyalgia, gout, bursitis, tendonitis and others. Again, because of its potency use only one drop to one hundred drops (or about one teaspoon) of carrier oil after conducting a skin patch test. Avoid use if you have extremely sensitive skin. Apply a small amount of the oil blend to aching joints or muscles on a daily basis, preferably two to three times daily, for best results. 

METABOLISM BOOSTER

Cloves have been found to boost metabolism, making it a great option for those who are overweight, obese or suffering from a metabolic disorder like diabetes. A study published in the medical journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found that cloves help to regulate metabolic processes that occur in the intestines.

COLD SORE REDUCER

If you suffer from cold sores, you’ll love cloves more than ever. That’s because a study published in The Journal of Dentistry found that clove essential oil was as effective as the drug benzocaine for alleviating topical pain, making it an excellent choice for the pain of cold sores.

TOOTHACHE TAMER

Clove essential oil is best known for its ability to alleviate toothaches, making it a common ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash. Additionally, it is often added to liniment and massage oils since one of its components, eugenol, has anti-pain properties. Because the mucus membranes are quite sensitive, you’ll want to dilute the essential oil one to one hundred drops. Also, be sure to only use clove oil that is suitable for internal use since it is absorbed through the mucus membranes. Most essential oils on the market are not pure enough for this purpose so you’ll want to shop around for a suitable one.

MOSQUITO SUPPRESSION

Research in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine found that clove essential oil effectively killed mosquito larvae, which may be helpful in their overall suppression. More research is necessary on how to benefit from clove as a larvicide but it may be possible to add it to standing water. Of course, do not use in standing water if you have children or animals that may drink from it.

BLOOD SUGAR REDUCER

If you suffer from diabetes you’ll be thrilled to know that research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that clove extracts were as effective as insulin in their initial tests on blood sugar levels. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should stop using insulin as the result can be fatal. It means that additional research is needed into the potential blood sugar support cloves can offer those suffering from diabetes.