Cloves are one of those little spices that can make the whole kitchen smell cozy. They’re warm, a little sweet, and a little peppery, and a tiny bit goes a long way.
I’ve been reading about adding cloves to coffee, and it got me thinking about all the ways people have used them over the years. Cloves have a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, early dentistry, and health remedies people turned to during plague outbreaks. They’ve been used to treat toothaches, respiratory disorders, pain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders for many years. Researchers today are studying eugenol, one of the main compounds in cloves, for its antioxidant, germ-fighting, and soothing properties.
I also make clove water when I’m feeling under the weather. It’s warm, fragrant, and comforting, and I like sipping it during the day or before bed. Let’s talk about what cloves are, the health benefits research has found so far, and a few ways to enjoy this little spice.
What are cloves?
The cloves in your spice cabinet are the dried flower buds of a tree called Syzygium aromaticum. The tree is native to Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, once known as the Spice Islands. People pick the flower buds before they open and dry them until they turn dark brown and look a bit like tiny nails. That’s where the name “clove” comes from.
Cloves were once so prized that historical accounts compared their value to gold. They traveled along major trade routes and became part of cooking and healing traditions in many places. Not bad for a spice that can hide in the back of your cupboard until pumpkin season!
Cloves through history
Cloves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They were valued as a warming spice and included in traditional preparations for digestion, stomach discomfort, and other concerns. People also chewed cloves to freshen their breath.
Cloves have an especially interesting history in dental care. Before modern dental products, people used clove oil for tooth discomfort because it can have a numbing effect. Eugenol, the main aromatic compound in clove oil, is still used in some dental materials today.
Cloves also appeared in aromatic mixtures during plague outbreaks in Europe. One famous example is “The Four Thieves,” who used a blend of strong-smelling herbs to protect themselves from the plague while they stole jewels from the dead. Throughout history, people used cloves and other herbs in medicinal preparations to protect themselves from illness.
Whether in a kitchen, as a traditional remedy, or as an early dental treatment, people have valued cloves for their strong aroma and useful properties for hundreds of years.
What makes cloves interesting?
One compound researchers study in cloves is eugenol. It gives cloves much of their familiar smell and flavor. Researchers have studied this and other compounds in cloves for their antioxidant effects as well as thier antimicrobial (including viruses, bacteria and fungus), and possible pain relief effects in laboratory and animal research.
Potential benefits researchers have explored
1. Cloves have high antioxidant activity.
Cloves often rank near the top when researchers compare the antioxidant activity of spices. Eugenol and other compounds in cloves contribute to that activity. Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect cells from damage.
I love that herbs and spices bring so much flavor along with their health benefits. You don’t need a big spoonful of cloves to notice them—a little can add plenty of warmth to coffee, chai, oatmeal, applesauce, baked goods, and savory dishes.
2. Cloves and oral health
Cloves have a long connection to oral health and dental care. Eugenol can temporarily numb an area, which helps explain why clove oil became a traditional remedy for tooth discomfort. Eugenol is also used in some dental materials for its antimicrobial properties.
Cloves are also a popular breath-freshening spice that can fight bacteria in the mouth. Dr. Berg recommends adding one to three crushed cloves to coffee for oral health and digestive support. I can see why people like the idea: you get that warm clove flavor, plus added health benefits right in your morning mug.
3. Cloves and digestion
Cloves have been used in traditional remedies for digestive comfort. Several positive studies have also explored eugenol and clove extracts in research on the stomach and digestion.
One study tested eugenol against 30 strains of Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, a type of bacteria linked with many stomach ulcers. In the lab, eugenol slowed the growth of all 30 strains. The researchers also reported that the bacteria did not develop resistance to eugenol during the experiment, unlike the antibiotics typically prescribed for H. pylori. That’s a fascinating result!
4. Clove research and stomach ulcers
Researchers have studied clove oil and eugenol in animals with stomach ulcers. In one study, clove oil and eugenol increased protective mucus production in the stomach. Another study found that a low dose of eugenol helped ulcers heal in rats.
These are early research findings, but they offer an interesting look at how clove compounds may interact with the stomach lining.
5. Cloves and inflammation
Researchers have also studied clove oil and eugenol for their possible soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. In studies, clove oil reduced signs of pain and inflammation in the animals. Scientists are continuing to look at how eugenol works and what it might mean for people.
A few studies I found interesting
- Eugenol and H. pylori: Researchers tested eugenol against 30 strains of H. pylori. It slowed the growth of all 30 in the lab, and resistance did not develop during the study. Read the study
- Clove oil and stomach protection: In animal models, clove oil and eugenol increased protective mucus in the stomach. Read the study
- Eugenol and ulcer healing: A rat study found that a low dose of eugenol helped chronic stomach ulcers heal. Read the study
- Clove oil and pain or inflammation: In a mouse study, clove oil showed pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory activity. Read the study
- Clove oil and antioxidants: A lab study found strong antioxidant activity from clove oil and eugenol. Read the study
How I make clove water
When I’m feeling sick, clove water is one of the warm drinks I like to keep nearby. It has a lovely spicy smell and feels soothing to sip. Here’s how I make it:
- Add three to five whole cloves to one cup of water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for five minutes.
- Take it off the heat and let it cool for about an hour.
- Remove the cloves and sip the water.
I’ll sip it throughout the day when I’m under the weather, and I also enjoy a cup before bed. Cloves contain tryptophan, which the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin—two messengers involved in mood and sleep. For me, a warm cup of clove water is also just a comforting way to wind down. If you don’t like the taste, add a tsp of honey to the hot clove water.
A simple clove rub
I sometimes add a few drops of fresh clove water to coconut oil or olive oil and use a little as a comfort rub on a sore area. The water and oil separate, so make only a small amount at a time.
Cloves in coffee
Dr. Berg recommends adding one to three crushed whole cloves to coffee for oral health and digestive support. Lightly crush them with the back of a spoon, add them to your hot coffee to steep for 5 minutes, then remove. Or add a clove or two to your coffee beans when you grind them and brew as usual. Start with one if you’re new to the flavor—it’s bold!
Cloves also pair beautifully with cinnamon, cardamom, chai, oatmeal, apples, baked goods, and savory dishes. They’re a simple way to make an everyday drink or meal taste a little more special. Plus I add cloves to my elderberry syrup recipe. Check it out here: EASY HOMEMADE ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT
Who should be cautious?
For most people, cloves used in food are simply a flavorful spice. A couple of quick reminders:
- If you take a blood thinner or blood sugar medication, check with your clinician or pharmacist before regularly using concentrated clove products.
- Clove essential oil is much stronger than the spice in your cabinet. Keep it away from young children, as it can be toxic for kids under 2 years old, and don’t swallow the essential oil or use it undiluted on your skin.
Kelly’s thoughts
I love that cloves are more than just a holiday baking spice. They have a long history in traditional health remedies and dentistry, and researchers are still studying eugenol and the other compounds found in cloves today.
When I’m feeling under the weather, I like to make a cup of clove water and sip it throughout the day. I also enjoy it before bed, when I want something warm and cozy. And if I’m making coffee, a crushed clove or two gives it a lovely spiced flavor with added health benefits.
Sometimes a little spice, a warm mug, and a few quiet minutes are exactly what I’m in the mood for.
Have you ever tried cloves in your coffee or made clove water? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to hear how you use this cozy little spice!
This post is for informational purposes only and shares my personal experience. It isn’t medical advice, and cloves or clove water aren’t a substitute for care from your healthcare provider. Check with them before using cloves medicinally if you take medication or have a health condition.
Sources and further reading
- Antimicrobial activities of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde against Helicobacter pylori
- Gastroprotective activity of clove essential oil and eugenol in animal models
- Low-dose eugenol and chronic gastric-ulcer healing in rats
- Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving activity of clove oil in mice
- Antioxidant activity of clove oil and eugenol
- History of cloves, UCLA Biomedical Library
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