Clove essential oil is a wonderful and strong oil, where a drop or two really goes a long way. Its scent can convey a warm and sincere feeling. In this spotlight, you will learn the uses and benefits of clove oil plus DIY Clove Essential Oil Recipes you can make.
While it is a perfect oil for fall and winter, with all the uses and benefits clove bud has to offer, you may want to use it all year long.
Clove essential oil has many everyday uses, making it a helpful addition in any home. Aromatically, clove creates a feeling of protection and courage. It is a warming oil that has amazing analgesic and antiseptic properties.
Clove Essential Oil Facts
Historically, cloves were used for skin infections, digestive upsets, and most notably for toothaches. The spice is frequently used in hot beverages and baking. Clove bud oil has a scent that is true to the spice.
This oil comes from clove's tiny flower buds that are picked before they open and then dried until they become the characteristic deep reddish brown color before being distilled.
| Botanical Name |
Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata |
| Botanical Family | Myrtaceae |
| Aka | Clove Bud |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | Warm, spicy, woody |
| Extraction Method | Steam distilled |
| Plant Part Used | Buds |
| Shelf Life | 2-3 years |
| Max Dilution | 0.5% (approx. 3 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil) |
| Kid Safe? | No |
| Safety Concerns | Avoid prolonged use. Don't use undiluted on skin. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
Main Constituents: Eugenol, eugenyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene. See Essential Oil Safety for a complete list of constituents.
Clove Essential Oil Safety Precautions
Avoid prolonged use. Don't use undiluted on skin, it is a "hot oil" and will cause skin irritation. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not a kid friendly oil. Only use clove bud oil, not the leaf or stem oil.
There is moderate risk for mucous membrane irritation. May inhibit blood clotting and pose a drug interaction hazard. There is a moderate risk of skin sensitization, Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.5% (approx. 3 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil).
Avoid old or oxidized oils, they may cause skin sensitization. Store oil in dark, airtight container. Not phototoxic. Do not ingest.
Clove Essential Oil Blends Well With:
- Sweet Orange
- Frankincense
- Cassia
- Cinnamon
- Cedarwood
- Ginger
- Roman chamomile
- Fennel
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Lemon
- Wintergreen
Therapeutic Uses:
Pain relief, bacterial infection, fungal infection, viral skin infection, warts, verrucas, toothache, gum disease, muscle pain, rheumatism, flu, bronchitis, tired limbs, nausea, flatulence, stomach cramp, abdominal spasm, parasitic infection, scabies, ringworm (from The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Wormwood, page 581).
Acne, athlete's foot, bruises, burns, cuts, insect repellent (mosquito), toothache, ulcers, wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, asthma, bronchitis, colic, dyspepsia, nausea, colds, flu, minor infections (from The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless, page 77).
Clove Bud Essential Oil Uses and Benefits
Relieves Anxiety
Clove has a warming effect on the senses. It can comfort, foster confidence, and promote self-assurance. Try blending with lavender, orange, geranium, or ylang ylang.
Shower Drops: Place 2 drops on the shower floor just before you get in for a wonderful, warming scent.
Promotes Motivation
Clove can inspire activity and action. Its comforting aroma can enhance focus on the task at hand. This is a perfect oil to use when working on an important project.
Use one drop on a diffuser necklace to have the positive support you need throughout the day to keep you going.
Supports Dental Health
Clove is especially useful for dental health. Can be used to relieve occasional toothaches on adults. It produces a numbing effect that can ease discomfort and tooth pain. The clove oil not only lessens a toothache, but it also reduces the inflammation caused by a toothache. Read about Toothache Home Remedy.
Natural Mouthwash: Place one drop of clove oil in 2 ounces of water. Stir well and swish in mouth, spit out. Use to promote clean teeth and fresh breath.
Immune Booster
Great for combating seasonal threats due to cloves antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and anti-infectious actions. It is also high in eugenol, making it a powerful source of antioxidants. It can also clear and disinfect the air.
Use clove in your diffuser, alone or in one of our diffuser blends below, like Orange Pomander, check out the recipes.
Simmer in a pot of water to rid your house of old, lingering cooking odors and germs. Only a few drops needed.
Soothes Pain and Joints
Widely known for easing pain, clove has naturally anti-inflammatory properties and local anesthetic actions. It also has a warming effect that loosens sore muscles and eases joints. Works great in massage oil blends, muscle rubs and pain creams.
Try our Soothing Pain Blend, see our recipe below. Massage this blend over aching joints or muscles, even good for sciatic pain.
Diffusing Clove Essential Oil
When diffusing clove oil practice safe diffusing:
- Diffuse in an open, well-ventilated area.
- Keep children out of the direct line of mist.
- Diffuse in 30-60 minute intervals with ample break periods for safe and effective use.
Clove Essential Oil Recipes
If you are looking for a way to make your home smell great, or want to try something new, give these clove essential oil recipes a try!
Clove essential oil has many benefits. It can be used in aromatherapy, skin care products and even natural remedies. Here are some of the best ways to use clove essential oil at home.
1. Fall Fest Salt Scrub |
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This festive fall sugar scrub is gentle on your skin and has a delicious spicy fall aroma.
Directions: Combine salt and Fractionated Coconut Oil in bowl, add in essential oils and stir until blended. |
2. Orange Pomander Diffuser Blend |
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Pomander balls consist of orange or other citrus fruit studded with cloves and dusted with other spices, they are used to freshen and scent the air.
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. Read more about diffusing essential oils. |
3. Mold Prevention Shower Spray |
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Use this mold prevention spray to combat mold and disinfect bathroom without harmful fumes.
Directions: Combine ingredients into bottle, shake and spray around shower to prevent mold and disinfect surfaces. |
4. Welcome Fall Diffuser Blend |
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Experience this stimulating blend of oils to create a warm and inviting aroma in your home
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. |
5. Summer Spice Room Spray |
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Recipe from our 8 Simple Room Spray Recipes To Make For Summer
Directions: Add essential oils to bottle, fill rest of bottle with water. Shake well before use. |
6. Courageous Roller Blend |
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Promotes courage and inner strength.
Directions: Add essential oils to roller bottle, top off with jojoba oil. Gently shake to blend oils. Roll onto wrist and inhale the aroma as needed. |
7. Ease Tension Massage Oil |
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This beautiful blend is from our 22 Massage Oil post
Directions: Add all ingredients to glass bottle, shake to blend together. Massage on full body or on shoulder, back and arms for relief. |
8. Gingerbread Cookies Diffuser Blend |
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Clove is on our Best Essential Oils for Christmas, this scrumptious Christmas diffuser blend is from that post.
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. |
9. Soothing Pain Blend |
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Remarkable blend for soothing pain and encouraging healing
Directions: Add essential oils to dropper bottle, fill rest of bottle with jojoba oil. Swirl to blend together. To use, massage onto desired areas. (3% dilution) |
10. Citrus Spice Beard Oil |
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Check out our Beard Oil Guide for more recipes
Directions: Add essential oils to glass bottle, fill rest of bottle with carrier oil. Shake well to blend. Place a few drops of oil into hands, rub together and massage into the beard. Using a beard comb, brush beard as desired. |
Where to Buy Clove Essential Oil?
So as you can see, there are lots of uses for clove essential oil, you just need to open your bottle and start using it. Clove is on our Top 30 Affordable Essential Oils list, so cost should not keep this oil from being added to your collection.
Buy only high quality, 100% pure essential oils when purchasing. If you are looking to buy clove essential oil, here are some brands we like:
General Essential Oil Precautions
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10.
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), you may perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil, read more here.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues here.
Newbie to Oils? Read More: Essential Oils for Beginners
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