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You’ve probably heard of clove as a tasty spice to mix with food, but it’s a popular health supplement too. Clove oil is an essential oil extracted from clove trees and it has all kinds of reported health benefits. However, there isn't quite enough research to confirm that it treats any particular health issues. Also keep in mind that swallowing high doses of clove oil might not be safe, so doctors don't recommend taking it orally. [1] X Research source You can still try it for yourself, though, and it might have some benefits if you use it correctly. Here are a few ways to use clove oil safely and effectively.
Steps
Historically, the most popular uses for clove oil are treating toothaches and cleaning the mouth. If you’re looking for an easy and quick way to use clove oil, then this is your best bet. Keep in mind that dentists and doctors aren't positive about how effective clove oil is compared to other mouth-cleaning tricks, but these are all safe ways to use the oil.
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Rub it on your tooth if you have a toothache. This is the oldest use for clove oil because of its analgesic effect. Pour a bit of pure, undiluted clove oil onto a cotton swab and hold it against the tooth that hurts. This can help numb the tooth. Don’t use the oil on any surrounding teeth or gums, and keep it on the tooth that hurts. [2] X Research source
- Clove oil is good for reducing infections and inflammation.
- It is effective for reducing pain.
- You can use it for tooth infections.
- It’s okay if you swallow this tiny amount of clove oil. It just might cause a slight warming sensation in your stomach.
- While this is a traditional remedy for tooth pain, the FDA doesn’t currently think this an effective treatment, so be prepared to try something else. [3] X Research source
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Rinse your mouth with clove oil mouthwash to prevent cavities. Studies show that clove oil can help kill the bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath. Some commercial mouthwashes use it as an ingredient, so it’s perfect to rinse your mouth with. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Swish the mouthwash around for about 1 minute, or as long as the product tells you to, and spit it all out after.
- You could also rinse your mouth with diluted clove oil. Add 1 drop of clove oil to a glass of water and swish that around your mouth. Make sure you spit it all out when you’re done. This is also a home remedy for a toothache. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Don’t use undiluted clove oil to rinse your mouth. This can irritate your gums.
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Brush with a clove oil toothpaste to reduce plaque. Clove oil could also help break down plaque on your teeth. Get a commercial toothpaste with clove oil and use that to brush your teeth and keep your mouth clean. [6] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Like with mouthwash, don’t brush your teeth with undiluted oil. This could irritate your mouth.
Clove oil is also a popular topical remedy for skin irritations and itching. This is because it works as an analgesic and numbs your skin. Research is mixed on how effective clove oil is compared to other topical treatments, but these might work for you if you want to try them. Just remember to ask your doctor before trying these uses for clove oil
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Fight itchy skin with clove oil. The analgesic effect of clove oil can help fight irritated skin. If you have dry, itchy, or inflamed skin, try applying a clove oil gel onto the spot to see if that helps you. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Don’t use undiluted clove oil on your skin. This can irritate it more. If you want to use pure clove oil, dilute it to a 3-5% concentration with a carrier oil first. [8] X Research source
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Apply clove oil cream to help anal fissures clear. Anal fissures are painful tears in the anus, and clove oil cream is traditionally used to numb that pain. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Try applying a commercial 1% clove cream for 6 weeks to see if this helps make you more comfortable. [10] X Research source
- If anal fissures are a consistent problem for you, then it’s best to see your doctor for treatment.
- Never use pure clove oil for this. Only a commercial gel will work.
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Numb your skin with clove oil gel before a shot. Since clove oil works as an analgesic, it might help make you more comfortable during shots or other medical procedures. Try rubbing a clove oil gel on your skin 5 minutes before getting a shot to reduce the pain. [11] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Let your doctor know before you do this. They might not want the oil to mix with the shot and tell you not to use it.
Clove oil is a health supplement, so like with all other health supplements, there are a few important safety tips to keep in mind while you’re using it. It might interact with medications or come with a few side effects. As long as you follow these rules and directions, you should be able to avoid any negative effects.
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Ask your doctor if clove oil is safe for you before using it. Clove oil could have side effects or interactions with medications. As long as your doctor approves, then you can use it. [12] X Research source
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Avoid swallowing clove oil to avoid side effects. While small doses of clove oil are safe in food, high doses taken by mouth could be dangerous. Doctors don't recommend swallowing clove oil in any higher amounts than you'd find normally in food. [13] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source The levels of clove oil in food is usually below 0.06%. This is safe to swallow, but avoid higher doses. [14] X Research source
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Dilute the oil before using it on your skin. All essential oils can irritate your skin if they’re undiluted, so don’t use pure clove oil on your skin. Add 3 drops of clove oil to 1 tsp (5 cc) of neutral carrier oil like olive oil for a 3% concentration. This should be weak enough to avoid any irritation. [15] X Research source
- You can make the solution a bit stronger by adding 5 drops instead of 3 for a 5% dilution, but don’t make it stronger than that.
- You could also use water as a carrier, but be sure to shake the solution well every time you use it so it’s mixed.
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Wait until children are at least 2 before giving them clove oil. Clove oil isn’t intended for children younger than 2 for any use. Wait until your children are at least 2 before using it on them. [16] X Research source
- This goes for topical and oral treatments. Don’t use clove oil at all in children younger than 2.
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Don’t take clove oil if you take blood thinners or diabetes medication. Clove oil can interact with these medications and either enhance their effects or prevent them from working properly. It's best to skip clove oil in either case. [17] X Research source
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Avoid clove oil if you have a bleeding disorder. Clove oil can act as a blood thinner, so it’s not safe to take if you have a clotting disorder. Skip it to avoid any bleeding problems. [18] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Also avoid clove oil if you take any supplements that can thin blood, like garlic or turmeric.
Medical Takeaways
There are definitely some possible health benefits to using clove oil. However, there isn’t quite enough evidence to say that it’s a specific treatment for anything. Luckily, it’s mostly safe to use, so you can try it for yourself if you want to. Just check with your doctor first, and then see if clove oil has any benefits for you.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- You can also add whole cloves to your food as a spice instead of using clove oil extract.Thanks
- If you’re using clove oil to treat a specific health issue and it doesn’t improve, then it’s best to see your doctor instead.Thanks
Warnings
- Clove oil is not recommended for swallowing in doses higher than what’s normally found in food. It could cause serious side effects. [19] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_clove_oil_used_for/article.htm
- ↑ https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4817.pdf
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_clove_oil_used_for/article.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296592/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10957-toothache
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/251.html
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28382655/
- ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-do-i-choose-and-use-essential-oils
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/251.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/clove.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/251.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/clove.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/251.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/clove.html
- ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-do-i-choose-and-use-essential-oils
- ↑ https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4817.pdf
- ↑ https://www.rxlist.com/clove/supplements.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/251.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/clove.html
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