Clove: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllus
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Eugenol
Tannins
Triterpenic acids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Type 2 Diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary clinical study conducted on a small number of prediabetic patients shows that taking a polyphenolic extract of clove flower buds at a dose of 250 mg per day for 30 days reduces preprandial blood sugar by 14 mg/dL and postprandial blood sugar by 40 mg/dL compared to baseline values. The validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
250 mg
dry extract
Oral Infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Clove oil and dried clove buds are used in dental offices to relieve toothaches and reduce infections. The anesthetic effects of eugenol, the main component of clove, as well as its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects have been well documented in in vivo studies. Based on available evidence, the Commission E has approved the use of cloves as a local anesthetic and antiseptic. In a small study, 2 g of a glycerin gel based on cloves (2:3) were found to be as effective as 2 g of 20% benzocaine gel as a topical anesthetic before needle insertion.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Migraine ✪✪✪✪✪
Tiger Balm is a popular over-the-counter preparation containing clove oil, menthol, camphor oil, cajeput oil, and sometimes peppermint oil. It is generally used to relieve symptoms of sore muscles. A double-blind randomized study showed it was as effective as paracetamol in reducing the severity of headaches. While encouraging, the role of cloves in this combination is difficult to assess from this study.
Posologie
Topical: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
Stomatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent for the oral mucosa, clove is used in mouthwashes. Its established antiseptic activity provides a theoretical basis for efficacy. The EMA indicates that clove essential oil is used for symptomatic treatment of minor inflammations of the mouth or throat.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
Tooth Pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Clove oil and its component eugenol have long been used topically to treat toothaches. Although other techniques have emerged, eugenol is still used by dentists. The EMA indicates that clove essential oil is traditionally used for temporary relief of toothaches due to dental caries.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics
Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities
Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove
Respiratory Infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally, and due to its anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory properties, clove is indicated for cases of: - ENT-pulmonary pathologies (with pain) - Viral angina, pharyngitis, glossitis, aphthosis, periodontal disease, dental neuralgia... - Dry, irritating cough
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Gastric Ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
Prophylactic use of clove essential oil (EO) and eugenol has shown anti-ulcerative and gastroprotective activity by increasing the quantification of free gastric mucus production in rat models induced by indomethacin and ethanol-HCl. Although there are no studies on humans, clove EO has long been used in hepato-digestive pathologies and in the treatment of chronic gastritis, as a prevention of ulcer recurrences from Helicobacter pylori.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Properties
Analgesic
Eugenol, the main constituent of clove essential oil, possesses anesthetic properties when applied topically. Laboratory research suggests that eugenol modifies the activity of sodium, potassium, and calcium channels as well as other receptors. Furthermore, eugenol may inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis (substances involved in pain mediation) thus depressing pain sensory receptors. Other constituents of clove, such as beta-caryophyllene, may be involved in reducing the pain response.
Usages associés
Modulation of CaV2.3 calcium channel currents by eugenol
Eugenol inhibits calcium currents in dental afferent neurons
Molecular mechanism for local anesthetic action of eugenol in the rat trigeminal system
Local anaesthetic activity of beta-caryophyllene
Eugenol inhibits K+ currents in trigeminal ganglion neurons
Effect of non-eugenol- and eugenol-containing periodontal dressings on the incidence and severity of pain after periodontal soft tissue surgery
Activation of vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) by eugenol
Eugenol inhibits sodium currents in dental afferent neurons
Digestive Effect
Cloves are known for their aperitif and digestive properties. The essential oil and more specifically eugenol are good carminatives. Eugenol also inhibits spasms induced by acetylcholine, histamine, or nicotine by blocking calcium channels. It could also promote bile secretion by inducing a prolonged increase in bile flow in an animal model. Clove also stimulates mucus production in the stomach. This could be related to eugenol, its component, which has shown ulcer-protective potential in animal models. Furthermore, clove reduces the effect of gastric acidity.
Usages associés
Mechanisms of gastroprotective effect of eugenol in indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats
Gastrointestinal effects of Syzigium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae) in animal models
Antimicrobial
Laboratory research suggests that clove oil has antibacterial and antifungal effects. Eugenol is likely the main constituent responsible for these effects. The constituents of clove oil hinder cell communication and toxin production by microbes. Clove essential oil and particularly eugenol slow down the multiplication of the herpes virus and present an inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia Coli, and Candida albicans. Similarly, a clove extract shows an inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori and certain periodontal pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis and P. intermedia.
Usages associés
The antibacterial activity of clove essential oil against Propionibacterium acnes and its mechanism of action
In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori action of 30 Chinese herbal medicines used to treat ulcer diseases
Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils
Compounds from Syzygium aromaticum possessing growth inhibitory activity against oral pathogens
Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S. G. Harrison and essential oil, eugenol
Comparative studies on the effect of crude aqueous (CA) and solvent (CM) extracts of clove on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans
Antibacterial activity of clove extracts against phagogenic strains including clinically resistant isolates of Shigella and Vibrio cholerae
Antimicrobial activity of spices
Antimicrobial activity of clove and rosemary essential oils alone and in combination
Antimicrobial properties of plant essential oils and essences against five important food-borne pathogens
Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections
Antimicrobial activity of clove oil and its potential in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis
Anti-inflammatory
Eugenol is the component responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of clove. Eugenol inhibits or modulates enzymes involved in the inflammatory cascade and decreases the production of inflammatory mediators. In vitro, a methanolic clove extract as well as eugenol alone inhibit the production of prostaglandin E2 by inhibiting the expression of COX-2. An aqueous clove extract inhibits the anaphylactic reaction by reducing histamine release from mast cells in rats.
Usages associés
Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells
Eugenol--the active principle from cloves inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity and leukotriene-C4 in human PMNL cells
Eugenol suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells
In vitro and in vivo effects of clove on pro-inflammatory cytokines production by macrophages
Hypoglycemic
Laboratory research shows that polyphenols extracted from clove flower buds inhibit glucose production in liver cells, improve glucose uptake in muscle cells, and inhibit the activity of two enzymes, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, involved in carbohydrate digestion. This inhibition may help slow the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, contributing to better blood glucose regulation. Additionally, clove extracts exhibit insulin-like properties, reducing the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase, thus limiting glucose production in the liver. Clove and insulin regulate the expression of many common genes in the liver.
Usages associés
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant
Clove essential oil, primarily eugenol and acetyleugenol, hampers platelet aggregation by reducing in vitro thromboxane formation by platelets.
Antihistamine
Clove bud extracts inhibit histamine release by mast cells in vivo and in vitro, thanks specifically to the eugenol they contain. Part of eugenol's antiallergic effect could be due to its capacity to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of mast cells. Mast cells play a key role in allergic reactions.
Inhibitory effect of spices on in vitro histamine production and histidine decarboxylase activity of Morganella morganii and on the biogenic amine formation in mackerel stored at 30 degrees C
Effect of Syzygium aromaticum extract on immediate hypersensitivity in rats
Anticancer
Laboratory research (in vitro studies) has shown that clove can have beneficial effects in fighting cancer. These studies have observed that clove can inhibit the growth and adhesion of cancer cells, disrupt communication between these cells, induce their programmed death (apoptosis), and generate reactive molecules that can damage cancer cells. Oleanolic acid and other compounds found in clove play a significant role in these effects. A 2012 scientific review (Jaganathan & Supriyanto 2012) examined these properties of clove in detail, particularly eugenol and some of its derivatives. This review highlighted their potential in the prevention and treatment of several types of cancers, such as melanomas, skin tumors, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), leukemia, hormone-resistant prostate cancer, hepG2 (a form of liver cancer), lymphoma, and gastric cancer. These effects have been observed in cancer cell cultures and animal models.
Safety dosage
Adult starting from 18 year(s):
- Powder: 120-300 mg per day in a single dose. - Essential oil: 0.05-0.2 ml in a single dose. - Toothache or gum inflammation: clove essential oil is applied directly to the site. - Anal fissure: 1% clove essential oil in a base cream. - Headache: a drop of oil massaged on each temple or pain area. Do not use for more than a week.
Interactions
Médicaments
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6: weak interaction
In vitro, cloves have been found to strongly inhibit CYP2D6-mediated metabolism, but clinical relevance has not yet been established. Example: Codeine, which is metabolized into morphine, dextromethorphan, as well as antidepressants, neuroleptics, beta-blockers.
Cytochrome P450 3A4: weak interaction
In vitro, cloves have been found to strongly inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, but the clinical relevance has not yet been established. Example: cardiovascular drugs; anti-arrhythmics, lidocaine, amiodarone; statins: simvastatin, atorvastatin; calcium inhibitors: nifedipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, amlodipine, felodipine, verapamil, diltiazem...
Ibuprofen: weak interaction
Laboratory research shows that topical application of clove oil increases the absorption of topical ibuprofen. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Child up to 18 year(s): avoid
Use in children and adolescents under 18 has not been established due to lack of reliable data.
