The Healing Benefits of Cloves: Science-Backed Natural Remedies for Improved Wellness

You’ve likely seen cloves in your spice rack — tiny, nail-shaped buds with a bold aroma and warming flavor.

They show up in holiday baking. In chai tea. In spice blends.

But beyond the kitchen, cloves have a long and respected history as a medicinal plant.

Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Middle Eastern healing traditions, cloves have been valued for their ability to ease pain, support digestion, and protect against infection.

Modern research now confirms many of these traditional uses — thanks to cloves’ powerful bioactive compounds.

This guide explores the science-backed health benefits of cloves, how they work in the body, and how to use them safely in your daily wellness routine.

🌱 What Are Cloves?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to the Maluku Islands (also known as the Spice Islands) of Indonesia.

Historically, cloves were so valuable they were traded like currency. Wars were fought over them. Empires rose and fell in pursuit of spice control.

Today, cloves are cultivated in Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and other tropical regions.

What makes them special isn’t just flavor — it’s chemistry.

🔬 Key Active Compounds in Cloves

1. Eugenol

Eugenol makes up approximately 70–90% of clove essential oil. It is responsible for cloves’ distinctive aroma and many of their therapeutic properties.

Eugenol acts as:

• A natural anesthetic
• An antiseptic
• An anti-inflammatory agent
• An antioxidant

2. Antioxidants

Cloves rank among the highest antioxidant-containing foods ever tested using ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) measurements.

These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals — unstable molecules linked to aging and chronic disease.

3. Manganese

Cloves are rich in manganese, a mineral essential for:

• Bone formation
• Metabolism
• Antioxidant enzyme activation

4. Fiber and Vitamin K

Whole cloves provide small amounts of fiber and vitamin K, contributing to digestive and blood health.

🦷 1. Oral Health & Toothache Relief

One of the most well-known uses of cloves is for dental pain.

Eugenol acts as a natural local anesthetic. That’s why dentists historically used clove oil in temporary fillings and dental cements.

How It Helps:

• Numbs nerve endings
• Reduces inflammation in gums
• Fights oral bacteria

Some studies show clove oil may be as effective as benzocaine for short-term numbing in dental procedures.

Important: Clove oil is potent and should always be diluted before applying to gums.

🤢 2. Digestive Support

Cloves have long been used to reduce bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Research suggests they may:

• Stimulate digestive enzyme production
• Reduce intestinal inflammation
• Combat harmful gut bacteria

Clove compounds may also protect the stomach lining and help reduce ulcer formation in certain laboratory models.

A simple clove tea after meals may help soothe mild digestive discomfort.

🛡️ 3. Immune Defense

Cloves demonstrate antimicrobial and antiviral properties in laboratory studies.

Eugenol has shown activity against certain bacteria and fungi.

While cloves are not a replacement for medical treatment, incorporating antioxidant-rich spices may support overall immune resilience.

💪 4. Blood Sugar Balance

Emerging research suggests clove compounds may help improve insulin sensitivity.

Animal studies indicate that certain extracts can enhance glucose uptake by cells and moderate blood sugar levels.

Human research is still developing, but preliminary findings are promising.

Cloves should not replace prescribed diabetes medication — but may complement a balanced diet when used responsibly.

🧠 5. Brain Protection

Oxidative stress is linked to cognitive decline.

The antioxidants in cloves may help reduce cellular damage in brain tissue.

Animal studies suggest potential neuroprotective effects, though more human research is needed.

🧬 6. Liver Health

Some laboratory research indicates that clove extract may reduce markers of oxidative stress in liver tissue.

This suggests possible protective effects — though clinical trials in humans are still limited.

🔥 7. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Chronic inflammation contributes to many diseases.

Eugenol helps suppress inflammatory pathways in the body.

Reducing systemic inflammation may support heart health, joint comfort, and overall well-being.

🦠 8. Antimicrobial Properties

Cloves have demonstrated antibacterial effects against pathogens such as:

• E. coli
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Candida species