Table of Contents
- Benefits
- Risks
- Drug Interactions
- How to Use.
What Are the Health Benefits of Using Cloves?
Before using supplements, consult a healthcare professional such as a dietitian, pharmacist, or provider. Supplements are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Cloves are primarily known as a cooking spice but have been used for centuries to address health issues. They are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with toothaches, plaque, hangovers, and indigestion. However, there is limited evidence supporting the use of cloves in higher amounts than typically consumed in food.
Preliminary research has explored cloves for easing dental pain and lowering blood sugar levels. Some lab studies have examined their effects on cancer cells, but these were not conducted in humans.
Dental Pain
Clove oil is perhaps best known as a remedy for toothache and dental pain. In one older study of 73 adults, for instance, researchers found that clove-based gel was comparable to benzocaine (a local anesthetic) in its ability to ease pain resulting from injections in the mouth.
Other research has indicated that the clove's antibacterial properties may help reduce oral bacteria that can lead to the development of plague, gingivitis, and cavities.
Blood Sugar Effects
Some preliminary evidence suggests that eugenol, a compound found in cloves, may have a lowering effect on blood sugar levels. However, most of the research has been in animal models, so it is too early to recommend specific doses to help manage blood sugar in humans.
A study on healthy volunteers found that 12 days of clove extract use modestly lowered blood sugar levels compared to a placebo, but the difference was just 3 mg/dL, raising questions about its clinical significance. Further research is needed.
Cancer
While some laboratory studies have looked at the effect of cloves on cancer cells, this research was not done in humans and is not solid evidence of cloves' role in treating or preventing cancer.
A review of eugenol suggests it might be effective as a cancer therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
However, it is important to know that supplements and herbal remedies can not treat, cure, or prevent disease. Forgoing traditional chemotherapeutics and relying on alternative therapies can worsen outcomes. Talk to your cancer care team before starting any new supplement or herbal product.
Itchy Skin.
It's possible that applying clove oil to the skin can help ease itching. In one study, using clove oil relieved itching in 25 people diagnosed with chronic pruritus, or itchy skin, compared to a group of 25 people with chronic pruritus who used petroleum oil.
While these results are promising, more research is needed to understand how clove oil impacts itchy skin.
High in Antioxidants
Cloves are high in antioxidants, which are compounds that may interfere with the production of cell-damaging free radicals.
A test tube study found that cloves had stronger antioxidant properties than other Mediterranean spices like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
Another study showed eugenol inhibited free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, an antioxidant.
Do Cloves Affect Your Medications?
Before using any supplement product, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about potential drug or food interactions. Share any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking.
Cloves may have a lowering effect on blood sugars. Adding them to a regimen that already includes diabetes medications could increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia.
Adding cloves when already on blood thinners or anticoagulants could lead to a greater risk of bruising and bleeding.
