Clove Oil
Clove Oil is a powerful, warm, and spicy essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of Syzygium aromaticum. Highly valued for its analgesic and antiseptic properties, it is commonly used in aromatherapy, dental care formulations, and natural wellness applications. Due to its potency, it should always be used in very low dilutions.
Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum (syn. Eugenia caryophyllata)
Plant Family: Myrtaceae
Common Names: Clove, Clove Bud, Eugenia
Ideal for use in aromatherapy, dental care products, and natural disinfectant formulations.
Description
Clove Oil is a highly potent essential oil extracted from Syzygium aromaticum (formerly Eugenia caryophyllata), an evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family. Renowned for its intense aroma and powerful therapeutic properties, clove oil has been traditionally used for pain relief, digestive support, respiratory health, and infection control.
The oil is colorless to pale yellow with a warm, strong, and spicy scent and a medium to watery viscosity. Due to its high eugenol content, clove oil must be handled with care and used only in low concentrations.
Cultivation & Harvesting
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Native to Indonesia and the Malacca Islands
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Cultivated throughout tropical regions
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Nail-shaped flower buds are harvested and dried
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Oil extracted primarily from leaves via water distillation
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Leaf oil contains a lower percentage of eugenol compared to bud oil
Botany
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Evergreen tree growing up to 10 meters (30 feet) tall
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Bright green leaves and aromatic, nail-shaped flower buds
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Buds turn deep reddish-brown when dried
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Name derived from Latin clavus, meaning “nail”
Aroma & Characteristics
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Aroma: Warm, strong, spicy
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Color: Colorless to pale yellow
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Viscosity: Medium to watery
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Strength: Very strong (use below 1%)
Chemical Composition
Major constituents include eugenol, eugenol acetate, iso-eugenol, and caryophyllene.
Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-neuralgic, carminative, anti-infectious, disinfectant, insecticidal, stimulant, stomachic, uterine, and tonic.
Uses & Preparations
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Used for pain relief in arthritis, rheumatism, and muscular discomfort
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Commonly applied for toothache and oral care formulations
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Supports digestive health in cases of flatulence, diarrhea, and spasms
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Beneficial in respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma
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Used as a natural insect repellent and household disinfectant
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Helps protect fabrics when placed in linen cupboards
Blending & Applications
Burners & Vaporizers
Used in vapor therapy to support respiratory health, relieve dizziness, lift depression, strengthen memory, and combat fatigue.
Massage Oils
Applied in very low dilutions (below 1%) to assist with muscular pain, rheumatism, arthritis, chills, colds, and bronchitis. Can be massaged externally along the jaw for toothache relief.
Creams & Lotions
Used in topical formulations for skin sores, leg ulcers, and minor wounds, always in low concentrations.
Mouthwash
Included in very small amounts in oral care products to help relieve toothache.
History & Traditional Use
Clove has been valued since ancient times by the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese for easing toothache and freshening breath. It was also historically used to help prevent contagious diseases and played a major role in the global spice trade. Today, clove oil remains widely used in perfumery, dental products, traditional remedies, and natural insect repellents.
Precautions
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Very potent oil — use with extreme care
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Must be diluted to below 1% for topical use
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May irritate skin and mucous membranes
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Avoid use during pregnancy
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Perform a patch test before use
Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use.
