Cloves Health Benefits and Uses

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PRODUCTS AND REVIEWS Nutrition & Fitnes
Cloves: Nutritional
facts and health
benefits
Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D.,
L.D. — By Megan Metropulos, MS, RDN on
January 30, 2018
Benefits Side effects Uses Diet

Nutrition Takeaway
Originating in Indonesia, cloves are

dried flower buds from the clove
tree. They are a popular spice that
people use in soups, stews, meats,
sauces, and rice dishes.
Their name comes from the Latin word

clavus, which means nail since the shape of
a dried clove resembles that of a nail.
People have used cloves in cooking and

traditional medicine for many years, but it is
only recently that scientists have begun
studying their potential health benefits.
Read on to learn more about potential health

benefits, uses, and risks of cloves.
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Health benefits of cloves

Cloves have a variety of potential health
benefits, including:
Oral health
Cloves are the dried flower buds from the clove tree.
Researchers are studying clove oil as a

natural method for maintaining oral health
due to its effect on plaque, gingivitis, and
bacteria in the mouth.
Researchers # compared the effectiveness

of an herbal mouth rinse containing clove,
basil, and tea tree oil with a commercially
available essential oil mouth rinse.
Both mouth rinses were effective against

plaque and gingivitis, showing that they may
help decrease oral inflammation and
bacteria.
The researchers also found that the mouth

rinse that contained clove decreased the
number of harmful bacteria more than the
commercial mouth rinse.
Diabetes
A study # in mice found that clove extract

and nigericin, a component of clove extract,
reduced insulin resistance in mouse muscle
cells.
Mice with diabetes that consumed nigericin

also had less insulin resistance and
improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin
secretion, and beta cell function.
Another animal study # looked at the effect

of clove bud powder on laboratory markers
in a rat model of diabetes. They found that
blood sugar level was lower in rats that
received the clove powder compared to
those in the control group that did not
receive the clove powder.
Cancer
Many herbs and spices are high in

antioxidants, which are chemicals that play a
part in reducing damage to cells that could
lead to cancer. According to Today’s
Dietitian, “just 1/2 teaspoon of ground clove
is said to contain more antioxidants than 1/2
cup of blueberries.”
In one laboratory study #, scientists found

that clove extract was able to slow the
growth of multiple types of human cancer
cells. Clove extract also increased cell death
in colon cancer cells.
The same study also looked at the effect of

clove extract on tumor growth in mice.
Tumors grew significantly less in the mice
treated with clove extract compared to those
in the control group.
In another study #, scientists looked at the

effect of different preparations of clove
extract on human breast cancer cells. They
found that clove essential oil and ethanol
extract of clove were both toxic to breast
cancer cells.
The authors reported that cloves might have

a beneficial role in the future of cancer
treatment since they can cause cell death
and slow cell multiplication.
Obesity
Scientists have also studied cloves regarding

their potential effect on obesity. In a study #
of mice, researchers found that clove extract
reduced the incidence of obesity resulting
from a high-fat diet.
Mice who received the clove extract had

lower body weight, less abdominal fat, and
less liver fat than those in the control group.
Risks, side effects, and

considerations
According to the National Center for
Biotechnology Information, multiple hazards
are associated with clove oil. It may cause
skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, or an
allergic reaction on the skin. It is also
flammable and could be fatal if it is
swallowed and goes into the airway.
In one case report, a 15-month-old child

experienced liver failure after consuming 10
milliliters (ml) of clove oil.
Another incident involved a 2-year-old child

who drank 5 to 10 ml of clove oil. The child
experienced multiple medical problems,
including coma, liver damage, and problems
with blood clotting.
Cloves may also # increase the chance of

bleeding or increase the body’s response to
warfarin. It is important to discuss the use of
any herbal products with a medical
professional so that they can review
potential side effects and interactions.
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Uses
Clove oil is used in traditional medicine including oral

health.
Cloves are known for their strong taste and

smell and can be purchased ground or
whole for use in cooking.
Many cuisines include cloves, and it is also

an ingredient in certain condiments,
including ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.
Some perfumes use cloves for the aroma

and clove oil is sold for use as an essential
oil.
Cloves are commonly used in Ayurveda,

which is traditional Indian medicine. They
have also been used traditionally to cause a
numbing sensation.
How to use cloves

Ground cloves can be used in similar ways
as cinnamon and ginger and can be used to
flavor applesauce, oatmeal, muffins, and
cookies.
This recipe for gingerbread cake with cream

cheese frosting uses ground cloves.
Cloves are also sometimes used to make

chai, which is a mixture of tea, spices, and
milk popular in India and Pakistan. This
cardamom ginger chai recipe incorporates
cloves.
Cloves can be used in savory dishes as in

this recipe for baked chicken with
artichokes, cinnamon, and preserved lemons
and this one for slow-cooker braised beef
with carrots & turnips.
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Nutritional information
Cloves are a popular spice in cooking.
According to the United States Department

of Agriculture National Nutrient Database #,
2.1 grams (g) or 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
contains:
6 kilocalories (kcal)
0.13 grams (g) of protein
0.27 g total fat
1.38 g carbohydrate
0.7 g fiber
The same amount of ground cloves also

provides 1.263 milligrams (mg) of
manganese, which is 63 percent of the Daily
Value (DV) # for manganese.
Takeaway
Clove is a fragrant spice that can add flavor
to many dishes. Its potential medicinal
benefits are being studied, but more
research is needed.
As with all herbal products, people should

discuss the usage and safety of cloves with a
medical professional.
FROM OUR EXPERT

NUTRITIONISTS
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PRODUCTS AND REVIEWS Nutrition & Fitnes

Benefits Side effects Uses Diet

Originating in Indonesia, cloves are

Their name comes from the Latin word

People have used cloves in cooking and

Read on to learn more about potential health

Health benefits of cloves

Researchers are studying clove oil as a

Researchers # compared the effectiveness

Both mouth rinses were effective against

The researchers also found that the mouth

A study # in mice found that clove extract

Mice with diabetes that consumed nigericin

Another animal study # looked at the effect

Many herbs and spices are high in

In one laboratory study #, scientists found

The same study also looked at the effect of

In another study #, scientists looked at the

The authors reported that cloves might have

Scientists have also studied cloves regarding

Mice who received the clove extract had

Risks, side effects, and

In one case report, a 15-month-old child

Another incident involved a 2-year-old child

Cloves may also # increase the chance of

Clove oil is used in traditional medicine including oral

Cloves are known for their strong taste and

Many cuisines include cloves, and it is also

Some perfumes use cloves for the aroma

Cloves are commonly used in Ayurveda,

How to use cloves

This recipe for gingerbread cake with cream

Cloves are also sometimes used to make

Cloves can be used in savory dishes as in

Permanent cure for HIV

Cloves are a popular spice in cooking.

According to the United States Department

0.13 grams (g) of protein

0.27 g total fat

The same amount of ground cloves also

As with all herbal products, people should

FROM OUR EXPERT

What Are The Health

" 0:56 " 1:22

What Are The Health Kale: What Are the H

Last medically reviewed on January 30, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Share this article

Everything you need to

The health benefits of

Eucalyptus leaves contain antioxidants and

What are the benefits of

Cinnamon is a widely-used spice in cooking,

What are the possible

Learn about some of the supposed health

Certain gut bacteria may

Get our newsletter

Enter your email SUBSCRIBE

Your privacy is important to us