Clove - Herbal Medicine

Cloves

Overview

Clove is a plant grown in parts of Asia and South America. People use the oils, dried flower buds, leaves, and stems to make medicine. Clove is most commonly applied directly to the gums for toothache, pain control during dental work, and other dental-related issues. But there is limited scientific research to support these and other uses. In foods and beverages, clove is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, clove is used in toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and cigarettes. Clove cigarettes, also called kreteks, generally contain 60% to 80% tobacco and 20% to 40% ground clove.

Uses & Effectiveness

• Small tears in the lining of the anus (anal fissures). Early research shows that applying a clove oil cream to anal tears for 6 weeks improves healing compared to using stool softeners and applying lidocaine cream.
  
  
• Tooth plaque. Early research shows that using a toothpaste or mouth rinse containing clove and other ingredients helps to reduce plaque on the teeth.
  
  
• Hangover. Early research shows that taking an extract from clove flower buds right before drinking alcohol improves hangover symptoms in some people.
  
  
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Early research shows that applying clove oil to the palms for 2 weeks helps reduce excessive sweating of the palms.
  
  
• Mosquito repellent. Early research shows that applying clove oil or clove oil gel directly to the skin can repel mosquitos for up to 5 hours.
  
  
• Pain. Early research shows that applying a gel containing ground cloves for 5 minutes before being stuck with a needle can reduce needle stick pain.
  
  
• Prediabetes. Early research in people with prediabetes shows that taking an extract from clove flower buds seems to lower blood sugar levels before and after a meal. However, this study didn't include a control group, so the true effects of clove on blood sugar are not clear.
  
  
• Itching. Early research shows that putting a solution containing clove oil gel on the skin can help with severe itching.
  
  
• Toothache. Clove oil and eugenol, one of the chemicals it contains, have long been applied to the teeth and gums for toothache, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reclassified eugenol, downgrading its effectiveness rating. The FDA now believes there is not enough evidence to rate eugenol as effective for toothache pain.