Comparisons
Clove or Clove Oil?
Clove buds and the essential oil made from them come from the same plant (Syzygium aromaticum), but their strength and safety limits differ greatly. The EMA assessment covers the essential oil. The table is built from the sourced cards of both records.
| Aspect | CloveSyzygium aromaticum | Clove OilSyzygium aromaticum |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | T Traditional use | T Traditional use |
| Needs | Respiratory, Throat & Mouth, Digestion | Respiratory, Throat & Mouth |
| Form | Spice | Essential Oil |
| How to use | For toothache, hold 1 bud next to the aching tooth; a stopgap until you see a dentist. | Rinse with a mouthwash containing 1–5% essential oil; do not swallow. |
| Pregnancy | Generally safe | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Generally safe | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | Not stated | From age 18 |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | No recorded interactions |
| Duration limit | Not stated | 1 week |
Which one, when?
Clove
Traditionally used as a spice in food and teas, and for indigestion and wind; holding a bud next to an aching tooth is a temporary folk remedy. Kitchen amounts are generally safe.
Full card →Clove Oil
Used for up to 1 week: on cotton wool placed only in a decayed tooth for toothache, or as a diluted gargle for mouth and throat inflammation. Not recommended under 18; never swallowed.
Full card →Good to know
- For toothache both are only a stopgap; see a dentist.
- Clove oil and concentrated extracts must not be swallowed; eugenol poisoning has been reported in children.
- People allergic to Peru balsam should not use clove oil.
Sources
- Community herbal monograph on Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merill et L. M. Perry, floris aetheroleumEMA HMPC · 2011 · MonographSource accessed:
- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spiceAsian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine · 2014 · ReviewSource accessed: