The
health benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial,
antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac and stimulating properties. The
oil is used for treating a variety of health disorders including toothaches,
indigestion, cough, asthma, headache, stress and blood impurities. The most
important and common use of clove oil is in dental care. Several toothpastes,
mouth wash and oral care medications contain clove oil as an important
ingredient.
Clove
is an evergreen tree, which produces a flower bud that has numerous medicinal
properties. It is often referred to as clove bud. Clove bud has a shaft and a
head and hence it has the Latin name clavus, meaning nail. Clove was
extensively used in ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations and it spread to
other parts of the world, including Europe, during the seventh and eight
centuries. Even now, clove is used in several Indian and Chinese dishes.
Clove
is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus,
sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C.
The
health benefits of clove oil include the following:
Infections:
Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, scabies,
athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, scabies, and other
types of injuries. It can also be used for treating insect bites and stings.
Clove oil is very strong in nature and should always be used in diluted form,
and furthermore, it should not be used by people with unusually sensitive skin.
Dental
care: As mentioned above, the most prominent use of clove oil is in dental
care. The germicidal properties of the oil make it very effective for relieving
dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers. Clove oil contains the
compound eugenol, which has been used in dentistry for many years. Gargling
with diluted clove oil helps in easing throat pain and irritation. The
characteristic smell of clove oil also helps to eliminate bad breath. Clove is
also effective against cavities, and traditionally, in India, clove oil was
added to a small cotton ball and put at the end of the tooth which has the
cavity every day before going to sleep. The cavity would vanish in a few days.
As a result, clove oil is added to numerous dental products and medications,
including mouthwash and tooth paste. Dentists also mix clove oil with zinc
oxide to prepare a white, filling material as a temporary alternative to a root
canal. But be careful, clove oil is very strong and can cause burns inside your
mouth if used incorrectly.
Recent
studies and careful consideration of the power of clove oil have resulted in it
being used as a soothing balm on infants who are teething. In extremely diluted
form, it can be applied to a baby’s gums, and the antiseptic and soothing
qualities of the oil can ease their pain and reduce their discomfort.
Skin
care: Clove oil is often recommended for skin care, especially for acne
patients. The effects are best achieved when the oil is used in liquid form and
spread on a clean, dry rag. You will find clove oil in many products for
lessening the effects of aging, like wrinkles, sagging skin, and facial
rejuvenation for the eyes because of its rejuvenating and stimulating
properties, which can increase blood flow to unhealthy skin and make it look
young again!
Immune
system: Both clove and clove oil are useful for boosting the immune system. Its
antiviral properties and ability to purify blood increases resistance to a
multitude of diseases, because the antioxidants in clove essential oil scavenge
the body of dangerous free radicals that cause a multitude of diseases like
heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Stress:
Clove oil is aphrodisiac in nature and therefore serves as an excellent stress
reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion
and fatigue. When ingested in appropriate amounts, it refreshes the mind and
stimulates brain function. Clove oil also induces sleep and is helpful to
patients suffering from insomnia. It is also useful for treating neural
disorders such as memory loss, depression and anxiety.
Headache:
Clove oil, when mixed with salt and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling
effect and helps in getting relief from headaches. Clove oil has many
flavonoids within it, which are anti-inflammatory agents. When topically
applied to the temples or neck, that anti-inflammatory quality will ease the
inflammation or tension that so often brings about headaches. For the same
reason, clove oil is used as a pain reliever on other parts of the body, like
joints and overworked muscles, to provide some relief from painful inflammation
or swelling.
Respiratory
problems: Clove oil has a cooling and anti inflammatory effect, and is
frequently used to clear the nasal passage. This expectorant is a useful
treatment for various respiratory disorders including coughs, colds,
bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis. Chewing a clove bud is
traditionally recommended to soothe sore throats.
Sty:
Clove and clove oil are very effective home remedies for treating sty. Sty is
an inflammation on the eyelash and can be a very irritating and painful
condition. Sty is not only painful, but also causes difficulty in the proper
functioning of the eye. Clove oil has also been shown to be preventative of
other eye infections due to its antibacterial qualities.
Ear
ache: A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches.
The clove flower is the source of that beneficial additive of this already
powerful essential oil.
Indigestion:
Clove oil has traditionally been effective for the treatment of stomach-related
problems such ashiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence.
Therefore, clove is one of the most important spices added to many Indian
dishes. This is once again due to the potent effects of eugenol, one of the
main functional parts of clove essential oil.
Nausea:
Clove oil is helpful in reducing nausea and vomiting and is often used for
pregnancy-related morning sickness and discomfort. Using it occasionally in
aromatherapy or topically applying it to pillows at night for long-term
inhalation can result in these positive effects.
Blood
circulation: Clove oil increases your body’s metabolism by increasing blood
circulation and reducing body temperature. An increase in blood circulation
typically means a reduction in tension of the blood vessels, a problem commonly
associated with tension headaches. Furthermore, increased circulation adds to
the oxygenation of the blood and organ systems, which increases metabolism and
raises organ efficiency. Finally, in terms of diabetes, increased blood flow
can help prevent some of the most dangerous side effects of that terrible
disease that can lead to major complications, amputations, and even death.
Eugenol is the active ingredient in clove essential oil that causes this
stimulation of blood circulation.
Blood
purification: Clove oil also helps in purifying the blood; studies have shown
that the aroma extracts can actually reduce toxicity in the blood and stimulate
antioxidant activity throughout the body, thereby boosting the immune system as
well as purifying platelets.
Diabetes:
Along with blood purification, clove oil helps control the level of blood
sugar, making it very useful to patients suffering from diabetes. Studies have
shown that the postprandial insulin and glucose response mechanisms are more
regulated when clove oil is acting on the body’s systems. This is primarily due
to the phenol concentration found in clove oil, which is one of the highest in
terms of spice plants of its general type.
Insect
Repellent: Clove oil is commonly used as a component in bug repellent and
insect-repelling candles because the vapor is very potent for the olfactory
senses of many insects. Traditionally, a few drops of clove oil were placed on
the bedsheets at night to keep bugs away.
Cosmetics:
Clove oil is often added in cosmetic creams and lotions, and it is commonly
known as a good massage oil that provides relief from pain and stress.
Clove
cigarettes: Usage of clove in making cigarettes is a new trend all over the
world, although traditionally, clove was added to cigarettes in Indonesia.
Smokers incorrectly feel that the numerous health benefits of clove would
nullify the ill effects of smoking, whereas the natural elements in clove
cigarettes only reduce the harmful impacts, but smoking clove cigarettes can
still be carcinogenic.
Flavoring
Agent: Along with trying to benefit from cloves’ digestive properties, the
essential oil is also added to food items due to its rich flavor. It is added
in a multitude of Indian dishes, pickles, sauces, spice cakes, and many other
cultural foods.
Soap:
Due to its powerful aroma, soothing effect and antiseptic properties, clove oil
is often added when making soap and can often be found as an active ingredient.
Perfumes:
Clove oil is also used in making perfumes because of its powerful and unique
aroma.
Many
people believe that clove oil is useful in preventing and treating cancer.
However, the American Cancer Society clearly mentions that there is no
scientific evidence on the curative properties of clove oil. It is also claimed
by many that clove oil is useful in treating viral hepatitis, but again,
further research must be conducted.
Aromatherapy:
Clove oil blends well with many essential oils including basil essential oil,
rosemary essential oil, rose oil, cinnamon essential oil, grapefruit essential
oil, lemon essential oil, nutmeg essential oil, peppermint essential oil,
orange essential oil, lavender essential oil, geranium essential oil. This
makes clove oil a popular element in aromatherapy and other herbal
combinations.
WARNINGS!!!
One
should be careful while using clove oil, because it is very strong even in
small quantities and must be diluted before application or ingestion. Since
eugenol (a main part of clove essential oil) is not very common, some people
discover violent allergies when taking too much at once. Use small amounts of
any essential oil if you have never used it before.
Furthermore,
preliminary risks of clove oil include some intestinal discomfort, which is
most common in children, and in the most serious cases, has even been connected
to kidney and liver failure. Finally, clove oil can cause blood sugar to drop,
so diabetics should be cautious, and pregnant women and those who are nursing
should not use clove oil, as it is not clear whether this strong compound
passes to the infant in the breast milk. As with any change to diet or
nutritional supplement, it is best to consult a doctor before administering or
adding to your daily or weekly regimen.