FoodsHerbs & spicesAntioxidantDental
Cloves pack an unusually high antioxidant content for their weight, thanks to eugenol — the same compound behind their numbing, dentist-office aroma.
Key takeaways
- Cloves are exceptionally rich in antioxidants (among the highest of common spices), mainly from eugenol.
- Eugenol has mild local anaesthetic and antiseptic properties — the basis for traditional toothache use.
- Strong antimicrobial activity in the lab; human evidence is limited.
- Safe as a culinary spice; clove oil is potent and should be used sparingly and diluted.
What they are
Cloves are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum. Their essential oil is up to ~80% eugenol, a phenolic antioxidant with mild anaesthetic action.
The evidence
Cloves rank near the top of spices for antioxidant capacity, and eugenol is used in dentistry for its numbing and antiseptic effects.1 Broader health claims rest largely on laboratory (in-vitro) antimicrobial and antioxidant studies rather than clinical trials.
How to use
Use ground cloves in cooking and baking. Clove oil is concentrated — dilute well and use sparingly (e.g. dabbed for toothache short-term).
Safety
Safe as a food spice. Clove oil can irritate skin/gums and is harmful if swallowed in quantity — keep away from children.
References
Educational summary, not a prescription.
- Cortés-Rojas DF, et al. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article summarises nutrition science for education and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.