Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, used as a spice and as a traditional remedy — most famously for toothache. Clove oil contains eugenol, which genuinely numbs, and that use is the one with real evidence behind it.
What is Cloves?
Cloves are the unopened dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen native to the Maluku Islands. They are sold whole, ground, and as clove oil — a concentrated essential oil distilled from the buds.
They are a food and traditional remedy, not a registered medicine, so they do not appear in the South African Medicine Price Registry.
The active constituent is eugenol, which makes up the large majority of clove oil. Eugenol does three things that matter:
It numbs. Eugenol is a genuine local anaesthetic, blocking nerve signals on contact. This is not folklore — eugenol has been used in dentistry for over a century, and zinc oxide eugenol remains a standard temporary dental filling and dressing material.
It is antibacterial and antifungal, demonstrated in laboratory work.
It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, again mostly shown in laboratory studies.
Whole cloves, ground cloves and clove oil are very different in strength. A clove in a stew is a spice. Clove oil is concentrated eugenol and needs treating with respect — that difference is the source of most of the harm associated with it.
What is Cloves commonly used for?
- Toothache — the best-known use, and the one supported by the pharmacology. Clove oil applied to a painful tooth numbs it temporarily.
- Dentistry, where eugenol appears in temporary fillings, dry socket dressings and root canal materials.
- Mouth ulcers and gum soreness, traditionally.
- Cooking, in curries, stews, baking, pickling and mulled drinks.
- Digestive complaints — bloating, nausea, indigestion — traditionally.
- Breath freshening.
- Aromatherapy and household scenting.
- Insect repellent, where eugenol has some evidence.
On toothache, the honest position matters: clove oil relieves the pain and does nothing about the cause. Toothache almost always means decay, a cracked tooth, an exposed nerve or an abscess — and none of those resolve on their own. The pain settling does not mean the problem has. Untreated dental infection can spread into the face and neck and become a serious emergency.
Use it to get through to a dental appointment, not instead of one.
Other traditional claims — blood sugar, liver protection, cholesterol — rest largely on laboratory and animal work, and do not have convincing human evidence.
Who commonly looks for Cloves and why
- People with toothache, particularly at night or over a weekend when a dentist is not available. This is the biggest group by far.
- People who cannot afford or access dental care, which is a real constraint in South Africa and worth acknowledging honestly.
- Cooks, for culinary use.
- People with mouth ulcers or gum soreness.
- People with digestive complaints, following traditional use.
- Parents, sometimes considering it for a teething baby — for whom the safety section below is essential reading.
- People interested in natural remedies generally.
What to check on the label before taking Cloves
- Whether you have whole cloves, ground cloves or clove oil. They are not interchangeable, and clove oil is far more concentrated.
- The eugenol content, if stated, on an oil.
- Whether the oil is food grade or for aromatherapy, and whether it is intended for topical use.
- Whether it is diluted or neat. Neat clove oil should not be applied to skin or gums undiluted.
- The manufacturer and expiry date, and storage instructions.
- That it is not a blend with other essential oils carrying their own cautions.
Using clove oil for toothache:
- Dilute it — a drop or two in a teaspoon of a carrier oil such as olive oil.
- Apply with a cotton bud to the tooth itself, not spread across the gum.
- Do not swallow it, and do not hold large amounts in the mouth.
- Use it sparingly and briefly — it can burn and damage gum tissue and the tooth pulp with repeated or heavy use.
- See a dentist.
Safety, interactions and when to seek professional advice
Cloves in food are safe. Clove oil is where the risks are, and they are real.
Clove oil must never be given to babies or young children. Swallowing even small amounts of clove oil has caused serious poisoning in children — liver damage, seizures, low blood sugar and coagulation problems have all been documented, and at quantities far smaller than adults would assume. Do not use it for teething, and keep it locked away.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner. Eugenol affects platelet function and may increase bleeding risk — relevant both to oral use and to dental procedures.
- Have a bleeding disorder, or are due for surgery or dental extraction.
- Have liver disease.
- Take diabetes medicines — clove may lower blood sugar.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding. Culinary amounts are fine; concentrated clove oil should be avoided.
- Have a known allergy to cloves or balsam of Peru, which cross-react.
Reported effects include mouth and gum irritation, burning, ulceration and damage to gum tissue with repeated undiluted application, skin irritation, and stomach upset with oral use.
Get emergency help for:
- A child swallowing clove oil — take the bottle, and do not wait for symptoms.
- Drowsiness, confusion, seizures or difficulty breathing after ingestion.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- Facial swelling with toothache, difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth, or fever. That is a spreading dental infection and it is an emergency — it can compromise the airway.
See a dentist for any toothache, a broken or sensitive tooth, bleeding gums, a persistent bad taste, or a mouth ulcer lasting more than three weeks. And see a doctor if digestive symptoms persist rather than continuing with a remedy.
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Frequently asked questions
What are cloves used for? As a cooking spice, and traditionally for toothache, mouth soreness and digestive complaints. Clove oil contains eugenol, a genuine local anaesthetic used in dentistry.
Does clove oil work for toothache? Yes, temporarily. Eugenol numbs on contact. But it does nothing about the cause — decay, a crack or an abscess — and those do not resolve on their own.
How do I use it for toothache? Dilute a drop or two in a teaspoon of carrier oil, apply to the tooth with a cotton bud, do not swallow it, and use it sparingly. Then see a dentist.
Can I use it for my baby’s teething? No. Clove oil has caused serious poisoning in children, including liver damage and seizures, at small quantities. Ask a clinic nurse or pharmacist about safe options.
Is it safe to swallow clove oil? No. Concentrated clove oil should not be swallowed. Keep it out of reach of children.
Can I use it with warfarin? Ask your doctor. Eugenol may affect platelets and increase bleeding risk, which also matters before dental work.
Can it damage my gums? Yes, with repeated or undiluted application. It can burn and ulcerate gum tissue, which is why it is used sparingly and briefly.
When is toothache an emergency? Facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, or fever. That is a spreading infection and needs urgent care.