You’ve likely seen cloves in your spice rack — whole or ground — adding warmth to mulled wine, pumpkin pie, or chai.
But this tiny, nail-shaped bud is far more than a flavor booster.
For thousands of years , cloves have been used in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and folk healing for their potent medicinal properties .
Packed with eugenol , a powerful compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects , cloves are a natural powerhouse for:
- 🦷 Soothing toothaches
- 🤢 Easing digestive issues
- 🤧 Fighting infections
- 💪 Boosting immunity
Let’s explore the science-backed health benefits of cloves — and how to use them safely at home.
🌱 What Are Cloves?
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
They’re rich in:
- Eugenol (70–90% of clove oil) — a natural anesthetic and antiseptic
- Antioxidants — help fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress
- Vitamins & minerals — manganese, vitamin K, and fiber
📊 According to the USDA, cloves have one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food or spice.
🔬 7 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Cloves
1. 🦷 Natural Toothache Relief (Yes, It Works!)
