Clove: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllus
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Eugenol
Tannins
Triterpenic acids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Type 2 diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary clinical study conducted on a small number of patients with prediabetes shows that taking a polyphenol extract of clove flower buds at a dose of 250 mg per day for 30 days reduces fasting blood glucose by 14 mg/dL and postprandial blood glucose by 40 mg/dL compared to baseline values. The validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Oral use: flower bud
250 mg
dry extract
Oral and dental infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Clove oil and dried clove buds are used in dental practice to relieve tooth pain and reduce infections. The anesthetic effects of eugenol, the main component of clove, as well as its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, have been well documented in in vivo studies. Based on the available evidence, Commission E has approved the use of cloves as a local anesthetic and antiseptic. In a small study, 2 g of a glycerin gel based on cloves (2:3) were found to be as effective as 2 g of a 20% benzocaine gel as a topical anesthetic before needle insertion.
Posologie
Buccal use: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Migraine ✪✪✪✪✪
Tiger Balm is a popular over-the-counter preparation that contains clove oil, menthol, camphor oil, cajeput oil and sometimes peppermint oil. It is generally used to relieve the symptoms of sore muscles. A randomized double-blind study showed that it was as effective as acetaminophen in reducing the severity of headaches. Although encouraging, the role of cloves in this combination is difficult to assess from this study.
Posologie
Topical: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
Stomatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent for the oral mucosa, clove is used in mouthwashes. Its established antiseptic activity provides a theoretical basis for efficacy. The EMA states that clove essential oil is used for the symptomatic treatment of minor inflammations of the mouth or throat.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
Toothache ✪✪✪✪✪
Clove oil and its component, eugenol, have long been used topically to treat toothache. Although other techniques have emerged, eugenol is still used by dentists. The EMA indicates that clove essential oil is traditionally used for the temporary relief of toothache due to dental caries.
Posologie
Oral use: flower bud
0.05 - 0.2 mL
essential oil
The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics
Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities
Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove
Respiratory infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally and in relation to its anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties, clove is indicated in cases of: - ENT-pulmonary conditions (with pain) - Viral tonsillitis, pharyngitis, glossitis, aphthous ulcers, periodontal disease, dental neuralgia... - Dry, irritating cough
Posologie
Oral use: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Gastric ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
The prophylactic use of clove bud essential oil (EO) and eugenol has shown anti-ulcer and gastroprotective activity by increasing the quantified production of free gastric mucus in indomethacin- and ethanol-HCl-induced rat models. Although there are no human studies, clove bud EO has long been used in hepato-digestive disorders and in the treatment of chronic gastritis, to prevent Helicobacter pylori ulcer recurrence.
Posologie
Oral: flower bud
120 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Properties
Analgesic
Eugenol, the main constituent of clove essential oil, has anesthetic properties when applied topically. Laboratory research suggests that eugenol modifies the activity of sodium, potassium and calcium channels as well as other receptors. In addition, eugenol may inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (substances involved in mediating pain) and thereby depress sensory pain receptors. Other constituents of clove, such as beta-caryophyllene, may be involved in reducing the pain response.nn
Usages associés
Modulation of CaV2.3 calcium channel currents by eugenol
Eugenol inhibits calcium currents in dental afferent neurons
Molecular mechanism for local anesthetic action of eugenol in the rat trigeminal system
Local anesthetic activity of beta-caryophyllene
Eugenol inhibits K+ currents in trigeminal ganglion neurons
Effect of non-eugenol- and eugenol-containing periodontal dressings on the incidence and severity of pain after periodontal soft tissue surgery
Activation of vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) by eugenol
Eugenol inhibits sodium currents in dental afferent neurons
Digestive effect
Cloves are known for their appetizing and digestive properties. The essential oil, and more particularly eugenol, are good carminatives. Eugenol also inhibits spasms induced by acetylcholine, histamine, or nicotine by blocking calcium channels. It may also promote bile secretion by inducing a prolonged increase in bile flow in an animal model. Cloves also stimulate mucus production in the stomach. This could be related to eugenol, its constituent, which has shown protective potential against ulcers in animal models. In addition, clove reduces the effect of gastric acidity.
Usages associés
Mechanisms of gastroprotective effect of eugenol in indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats
Gastrointestinal effects of Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae) in animal models
Antimicrobial
Laboratory research suggests that clove oil has antibacterial and antifungal effects. L'eugenol is likely the main constituent responsible for these effects. Constituents of clove oil prevent cell communication and the production of toxins by microbes. The essential oil of clove and more particularly eugenol inhibits the replication of the herpes virus and shows inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Similarly, a clove extract shows a inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori and certain periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and P. intermedia.
Usages associés
The antibacterial activity of clove essential oil against Propionibacterium acnes and its mechanism of action
In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori action of 30 Chinese herbal medicines used to treat ulcer diseases
Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils
Compounds from Syzygium aromaticum possessing growth inhibitory activity against oral pathogens
Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S. G. Harrison and essential oil, eugenol
Comparative studies on the effect of crude aqueous (CA) and solvent (CM) extracts of clove on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans
Antibacterial activity of clove extracts against phagogenic strains including clinically resistant isolates of Shigella and Vibrio cholerae
Antimicrobial activity of spices
Antimicrobial activity of clove and rosemary essential oils alone and in combination
Antimicrobial properties of plant essential oils and essences against five important food-borne pathogens
Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections
Antimicrobial activity of clove oil and its potential in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis
Anti-inflammatory
Eugenol is the component responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of clove. Eugenol inhibits or modulates the enzymes involved in the inflammatory cascade and decreases the production of inflammatory mediators. In vitro, a methanolic extract of clove, as well as eugenol alone, inhibit the production of prostaglandin E2 by inhibiting COX-2 expression. An aqueous extract of clove inhibits the anaphylactic reaction by reducing histamine release from mast cells in rats.
Usages associés
Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells
Eugenol--the active principle from cloves inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity and leukotriene-C4 in human PMNL cells
Eugenol suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells
In vitro and in vivo effects of clove on pro-inflammatory cytokines production by macrophages
Hypoglycemic
Laboratory research shows that polyphenols extracted from clove flower buds inhibit glucose production in liver cells, improve glucose uptake in muscle cells, and inhibit the activity of two enzymes, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, which are involved in carbohydrate digestion. This inhibition may help slow the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, thereby contributing to better blood glucose regulation. In addition, clove extracts exhibit insulin-like properties by reducing the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase, which limits hepatic glucose production. Clove and insulin regulate the expression of many common genes in the liver.
Usages associés
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Clove essential oil, mainly eugenol and acetyleugenol, inhibits platelet aggregation by reducing in vitro thromboxane formation by platelets.
Antihistamine
Clove bud extracts inhibit mast cell histamine release in vivo and in vitro, specifically due to the eugenol they contain. Part of eugenol's antiallergic effect may be due to its ability to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in mast cells. Mast cells are cells that play a key role in allergic reactions.
Inhibitory effect of spices on in vitro histamine production and histidine decarboxylase activity of Morganella morganii and on the biogenic amine formation in mackerel stored at 30 degrees C
Effect of Syzygium aromaticum extract on immediate hypersensitivity in rats
Anticancer
Laboratory research (in vitro studies) has shown that clove may have beneficial effects in the fight against cancer. These studies observed that clove can inhibit the growth and adhesion of cancer cells, disrupt communication between these cells, induce their programmed cell death (apoptosis), and generate reactive molecules that can damage cancer cells. Oleanolic acid and other compounds present in clove are thought to play an important role in these effects. A 2012 scientific review (Jaganathan & Supriyanto 2012) examined these properties of clove in detail, particularly eugenol and some of its derivatives. The review highlighted their potential in the prevention and treatment of several types of cancer, such as melanomas, skin tumors, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), leukemia, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, the HepG2 hepatoma (a form of liver cancer), lymphoma, and gastric cancer. These effects were observed in cancer cell cultures and in animal models.
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 years and older:
- Powder: 120-300 mg per day in a single dose. - Essential oil: 0.05-0.2 mL in a single dose. - Toothache or gum inflammation: clove essential oil is applied directly to the site. - Anal fissure: 1% clove bud essential oil in a base cream. - Headache: one drop of oil massaged on each temple or area of pain. Do not use for more than one week.
Interactions
Médicaments
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6: weak interaction
In vitro studies have found that cloves strongly inhibit CYP2D6-mediated metabolism, but the clinical relevance has not yet been established. Example: codeine, which is metabolized to morphine; dextromethorphan; as well as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers.
Cytochrome P450 3A4: weak interaction
In vitro studies have found that cloves strongly inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, but the clinical relevance has not yet been established. Example: cardiovascular medications; antiarrhythmics, lidocaine, amiodarone; statins: simvastatin, atorvastatin; calcium channel blockers: nifedipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, amlodipine, felodipine, verapamil, diltiazem...
Ibuprofen: weak interaction
Laboratory research shows that topical application of clove oil increases the absorption of topical ibuprofen. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Children up to 18 years: avoid
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years has not been established due to a lack of reliable data.
