Aromatic flower buds, cloves are native to Indonesia. Generally, they are used as spices for curries, meat and various beverages. Cloves and clove oil uses comprise a long list of healing properties, improving various functions. What makes clove oil so beneficial and useful are its stimulating, antifungal, antiviral, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. This tiny spice might not look like much, but it is powerful enough to help calm down an impressive number of health conditions, ranging from indigestion and toothaches to a whopping cough, headaches, stress and even asthma. Out of all these, clove oil is prominently used in dental care. As a matter of fact, a large number of mouthwashes, toothpastes and other medicine for oral care comprise clove oil as a main key ingredient.
What are cloves?
Produced by an evergreen tree, cloves are flower buds that boast sundry medicinal properties. Cloves are sometimes referred to as clove buds. This comprises a head and a shaft that resemble a nail. In the past, Chinese and Indian civilizations used clove buds extensively. As clove essential oil uses become more apparent, the spice started being used in other parts of the globe as well. Clove buds and clove oil are still used to this day in Chinese and Indian cuisine, adding flavor to foods and beverages.
What sets cloves apart is the high concentration of antioxidants. Additionally, cloves are rich in iron, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, hydrochloric acid, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. However, the most important active ingredient in clovse is a component called eugenol. This component has made cloves the main focus on various research papers, ranging from toxicity prevention and environmental pollutants to joint inflammation and cancers of the digestive tract. Clove eugenol extracts are often used in the United States as adjuvants for root canal therapies, gum pain, and temporary fillings. This is due to eugenol that has mild anesthetic properties that make it an excellent anti-bacterial agent. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to discover clove oil among the ingredients of some sore throat sprays. Uses for clove essential oil are bound to make you want to head out and buy some of this spice for yourself.
Clove bud essential oil uses
Combining a warm aroma with a sweet taste, clove buds are a great addition to gingerbread or baked beans. But their benefits go beyond a unique aroma.
1. Dental care
Clove bud oil is renowned for its help in dental care. What makes this oil so special are its germicidal properties, which make it highly efficient in assuaging dental pain, mouth ulcers, and sore gums. Eugenol, the key ingredient found in clove buds essential oil, has been successfully used by dentists for years. A simple way to relief throat irritation or pain is to do gargles with clove oil that has been diluted. As a bonus benefit, the distinct aroma of the clove buds is bound to fight off bad breath.
Another use for clove buds essential oil is in treating cavities. It’s very common for Indian patients dealing with cavities to use a small amount of clove oil on a cotton ball and apply it on the tooth before heading to bed. This simple technique is supposed to keep cavities at bay. Clove oil is also used by dentists for obtaining a filling material for a root canal, mixing zinc oxide and clove oil. In a highly diluted form, clove oil can be used to assuage the aching gums of infants who are teething. The antiseptic properties help relief the discomfort.
2. Infections
The antiseptic qualities of clove bud essential oil makes it excellent to use on fungal infections, bruises, cuts, wounds or scabies. Clove essential oil has also been successfully used in treating insect stings and bites. However, since the oil is so strong, it should never be used in an undiluted form. People with highly sensitive skin should steer away from using any kind of clove essential oil.
3. Diabetes
Besides the ability of blood purification, essential clove oil can also help regulate the blood sugar levels, which makes it a great ally for patients struggling with diabetes.
4. Headaches
A simple remedy for alleviating migraines or simple headaches is to combine a few drops of clove buds essential oil with salt. Applying the concoction on the forehead provides a cooling sensation and soothes headaches. Comprising flavonoids (anti-inflammatory agents), this oil can be topically applied onto the neck or temples. Its healing qualities decrease inflammation and tension, combating headaches. In the same manner, clove oil can be employed as a pain reliever for other aching body parts. For examples, sore muscles after an intense workout or aching joints following a lot of physical effort can benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of clove oil.
5. Immune system
Clove oil is a great adjuvant for boosting the immune system. The antiviral properties can help increase the resistance to various diseases. Since the oil is packed with powerful antioxidants, it does an excellent job of ridding the body of harmful free radicals, which can lead to a wide variety of conditions, such as cancers or heart diseases.
6. Nausea
Another common use for clove oil is preventing nausea and vomiting. Generally, pregnant women find a great ally in clove buds essential oil that combat morning sickness and bring comfort. To fight off nausea, clove essential oil can be used topically (on the wrists, on the temples or on the neck) or on the pillow for a soothing night’s sleep.
7. Stress
Acting as a stress reliever, clove buds essential oil has stimulating effects for the mind, with the ability to relieve fatigue and mental exhaustion. The appropriate amounts of clove essential oil have the ability to induce sleep and can help patients who struggle with insomnia. Clove oil does an excellent job of refreshing the mind and stimulating brain function. What is more, it is also of great help for patients who are dealing with neural disorders like anxiety, depression or memory loss.
8. Respiratory problems
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and cooling abilities, clove oil can safely be used to clear up the nasal passage. A helpful expectorant, clove oil can be used for whooping coughs, asthma, sinusitis, common colds, bronchitis and even tuberculosis. When you’re experiencing sore throats, chewing on a clove bud can soothe the upsetting pain since the oil acts as a gentle anesthetic.
9. Indigestion
Clove oil uses in traditional medicine also cover digestive issues like indigestion, hiccups, flatulence or motion sickness. This sheds some light on why cloves have been extensively used in Chinese and Indian cuisine. This benefit is also owed to the key active ingredient eugenol that can help with digestive problems and regulate digestion.
10. Blood circulation
Clove buds essential oil can play an important role in the body’s metabolism by boosting blood circulation and decreasing body temperature at the same time. An increased blood circulation usually translates through a decrease in the blood vessels’ tension. This problem is commonly linked with tension headaches. What is more, a boosted circulation can help better oxygenate the blood as well as the organs. This increases the metabolism and enables organs to perform better. Increased blood flow is equally important for diabetic patients since it can aid with the prevention of threatening side effects that can prove to be fatal. Once again, the key ingredient behind this slew of uses of clove oil is eugenol, which plays a big part in stimulating blood circulation.
11. Insect repellent
Another popular clove oil use is as an insect repellent. Thanks to its potent vapors, clove oil is commonly used in making insect and bug repelling candles. The smell is so strong for many insects that the oils act as a repellent, keeping the bugs at arm’s length. In the past, the oil was used as an active insect repellent by drizzling a few drops of the essential oils on the pillows and on the bedsheets each night.
12. Cosmetics and aromatherapy
Commonly added in lotions and creams, clove buds essential oil is beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to its unique powerful aroma it is often incorporated in organic, handmade soaps since it has antiseptic abilities and a soothing effect. For the same reason, this oil is sometimes used in making perfumes with a spicy kick. Last, but not least, clove oil plays a major part in aromatherapy. It mixes wonderfully with other essential oils, such as rosemary, cinnamon, lemon, lavender, orange, basil or grapefruit essential oils. Its relaxing properties make it a favorite among aromatherapy aficionados since it is a great adjuvant in relieving stress and pain.
13. Candida
Candida is a totally natural constituent of a healthy human’s digestive system. However, if an individual falls ill or otherwise develops an internal imbalance in their gut flora, candida can begin to grow in excess.
Too much candida in your body leads to a large host of problems and adverse physiological indications. Cloves are powerful as antifungal herbs and can be used to treat certain yeast and candida conditions like oral thrush very well. Clove oil is ingestible as a means of controlling internal candida conditions and even potentially removing parasites as well. Coupled with a diet change, clove oil can quickly help with a number of candida-related problems in and on the body.
How to use clove oil for tooth pain
If you’re looking for a quick and simple remedy for a toothache that will get you through the night until your dentist appointment, you’ll find an easy fix in clove oil. One of the most amazing clove oil uses, the tooth pain relieving properties are owed to the powerful eugenol compound that has antiseptic and anesthetic attributes. These make a powerful combination in relieving pain and neutralizing germs. To make a clove oil toothache compress, you will need a few drops of the essential oil, half a teaspoon of olive oil and cotton balls. After thoroughly rinsing your mouth with salt water, apply the mixture on your gum or sore tooth, holding it firmly on the aching spot.