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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

Family MyrtaceaeParts used Flower, Leaf, StemAlso known as Clove bud, aromatic clove

This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)[2, 11, 12, 13]
Anti-inflammatory[2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 13]
Antimicrobial[1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13]
Digestive aid[9, 11, 12, 13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[8, 11, 12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Back pain[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →
Bloating[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →
Headache[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →
Indigestion[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →
Infection (general)[5, 11, 12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Oral & throat health[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for oral & throat health →detailed sources →
Pain (general)[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Wounds[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Strong and concentrated: Clove oil is very potent and should always be diluted before skin or mouth use.Dental use: Undiluted clove oil can burn gums or skin.Blood thinning: Clove may increase bleeding risk in large amounts or with anticoagulants.Pregnancy: Culinary amounts are fine; medicinal doses should be used cautiously.Children: Essential oil should be used with extra caution and diluted well.

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Duke (2002) rates cloves as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for analgesic activity — specifically, topical application of clove oil (eugenol) for dental pain is clinically validated. The plant also shows strong antimicrobial, antifungal (anti-Candida), antispasmodic, and antiviral activities at the experimental level. Commission E approves topical clove preparations for dental pain. Recommended dose: 1–5% clove oil preparation (topical) or 150 mg clove powder internally. The essential oil is irritating to mucous membranes and should not be applied undiluted to skin or mucous membranes (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-1074, REF-1075, REF-1076, REF-1077, REF-1078, REF-1079, REF-1080, REF-1081, REF-1082, REF-1083

References & Sources

  1. Haro-Gonzalez, J.N., Castillo-Herrera, G.A., Martinez-Velazquez, M. and Espinosa-Andrews, H (2021) 'Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health', Molecules, 26(21), pp. 6387. doi:10.3390/molecules26216387 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216387
  2. Batiha, G.E., Alkazmi, L.M., Wasef, L.G., Beshbishy, A.M. and others (2020) 'Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities', Biomolecules, 10(2), pp. 202. doi:10.3390/biom10020202 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10020202
  3. Vicidomini, C., Roviello, V. and Roviello, G.N (2021) 'Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility', Molecules, 26(7), pp. 1880. doi:10.3390/molecules26071880 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071880
  4. Irahal, I.N., Guenaou, I., Lahlou, F.A., Hmimid, F. and others (2022) 'Syzygium aromaticum bud (clove) essential oil is a novel and safe aldose reductase inhibitor: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence', Hormones (Athens), 21(2), pp. 229-240. doi:10.1007/s42000-021-00347-6 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-021-00347-6
  5. Yassin, M.T., Mostafa, A.A. and Al-Askar, A.A (2020) 'In vitro anticandidal potency of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts against vaginal candidiasis', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), pp. 25. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-2818-8 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-2818-8
  6. Kiki, M.J (2023) 'In Vitro Antiviral Potential, Antioxidant, and Chemical Composition of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil', Molecules, 28(6), pp. 2421. doi:10.3390/molecules28062421 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062421
  7. Radunz, M., da Trindade, M.L.M., Camargo, T.M., Radunz, A.L. and others (2019) 'Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of unencapsulated and encapsulated clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) essential oil', Food Chemistry, 276, pp. 180-186. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.09.173 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.09.173
  8. Shakeel, F., Alam, P., Ali, A., Alqarni, M.H. and others (2021) 'Investigating Antiarthritic Potential of Nanostructured Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) in FCA-Induced Arthritic Rats: Pharmaceutical Action and Delivery Strategies', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7327. doi:10.3390/molecules26237327 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237327
  9. Tu, Z., Moss-Pierce, T., Ford, P. and Jiang, T.A (2014) 'Syzygium aromaticum L. (Clove) extract regulates energy metabolism in myocytes', Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(9), pp. 1003-1010. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0175 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0175
  10. Banerjee, S., Panda, C.K. and Das, S (2006) 'Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), a potential chemopreventive agent for lung cancer', Carcinogenesis, 27(8), pp. 1645-1654. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgi372 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgi372
  11. Bhowmik, D., Kumar, K.P.S., Yadav, A., Srivastava, S., Paswan, S. and Dutta, A.S (2012) 'Recent trends in Indian traditional herbs Syzygium aromaticum and its health benefits', 1(1), pp. 13--23. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  12. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org
  13. World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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