Clove Essential Oil
Clove is a well known aromatic spice that is associated with winter holidays. It is used in many tea blends and also in many mulled wine recipes. This spice is warming and when used for aromatherapy purposes can create a cozy environment when diffused.
Updated Feb. 19th, 2025 | Read Time: 4 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Plant Information
- Clove Oil Information
- Clove Oil Benefits & Applications
- Where To Buy Quality Clove Oil
- Clove Oil Recipes
Plant Information
Plant History
Clove's official name is Syzygium aromaticum and is an evergreen that's part of the Myrtle family. This tree grows small, brown buds which we all know as the popular clove spice. Clove is native to the Indonesian islands and natives to the Molucca islands would plant a clove tree for every child that was born and it was believed that the health and life of the tree was linked to the fate of the child it was planted for. Chinese people would use clove for oral care to freshen their breath before meeting with the Emperor, but because Clove was expensive, which made it a very coveted spice, Europeans started a war over it. Europeans fought with native Indonesians to be able to take part in the Clove business and the Dutch wanted to gain a monopoly over this industry and set fire to the Indonesian clove trees and since the trees had special meaning to Indonesians, they revolted and a blood battle began. By the 18th century, clove was introduced to many other regions which made the price drop and it was during this time that Clove was available for everyone, not just the rich and royal. Asian cultures mainly used Clove as a spice and the Indians in particular used clove for it's antiviral medicinal properties in oral care, treating malaria and supporting digestion. Today, Clove oil is a great aromatherapy oil and diffusing this essential oil can help deter insects, clean the air and support anxiety and overall mood.
Botanical Information
The Clove tree is an evergreen which can grow up to 40 feet in height. This tree has bright, green leaves and in it’s fifth year, grows flower buds which are nail shaped and turn brown upon drying. The tree is planted from seeds in a shaded area and while it is a slower growing tree, it can live up to 100 years. When the tree does start to grow flower buds, it can grow up to 75 pounds of dried buds per annum. Harvesting is done in late summer and winter, the buds are then sun-dried to create clove spice or oil.
Growing Information
If growing a clove tree outdoors, it is best to do so in a tropical environment. For those in a non-tropical environment, it is best to plant in a pot that can be taken indoors during the colder months. Clove trees thrive in an environment of 20-30 degrees celsius, but can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees celsius. It is best to start your planting process with seeds that are able to germinate, therefore find seeds that have been freshly harvested and that aren’t dried out. Place seeds on top of the soil and cover the pot with a plastic sheet to promote a humid environment. The soil that is best for clove is rich, can drain well and contains organic matter. This tree requires adequate water, especially in it’s first years, but be careful not to overwater the plant either.
Parts Used For Clove Oil
When extracting Clove oil, the bud, leaf or stem can be used. The chemical composition is dependent upon the part of the plant the oil is derived from.
Clove Oil Information
Extraction Method: How To Make Clove Oil
Clove oil is extracted through steam distillation, as are most essential oils. The bud, leaf or stem is placed in a chamber of the steaming still and as the steam heats up, it pulls the essential oil out. The steam and oil then travel through the apparatus and when they reach a holding chamber, the temperature cools, causing it to re -liquify. The mixture is then carried through to the separator and the oil is siphoned off the water and used in essential oils, while the fragrant water is commonly used to scent products.
Active Ingredients Found in Clove Oil
The main chemical components of clove oil are eugenol, eugenol acetate, iso-eugenol and caryophyllene. Oil extracted from the flower buds consists of 60-90% eugenol, eugenyl acetate and caryophyllene. If the oil is extracted from the leaf, it consists of 82-88% eugenol and little to no eugenyl acetate. And lastly, if the oil is derived from the stem, it consists of 90-95% eugenol.
Clove Oil Benefits & Applications
Air Purifier
Clove oil is a very powerful antiseptic, which makes it great for purifying the air.
Either add 4 drops of Clove oil to your diffuser or mix 8 drops of Clove oil with 30ml of Witch Hazel and 30ml of Avocado oil in a 60ml amber glass spritz bottle. Spray as a room spray and purify the air at the same time.
Muscle Relaxant
Clove oil is also antispasmodic which makes it great for alleviating muscle pain or stomach cramping when applied topically.
In a 30ml amber aromatherapy bottle mix 25ml Avocado oil and 4 drops of Clove oil. Shake to blend and massage into sore muscles or rub on abdomen in a clockwise motion.
Pest Relief
Clove oil has great insecticide benefits and can help deter insects when diffused indoors our outdoors or by dampening a cotton swab and placing them in places like the attic or by doorways that insects like to crawl into.
Where To Buy Quality Clove Oil
National Nutrition has a myriad of quality essential oils, you can shop steam distilled clove essential oil here.
Recipes
| Headache Remedy | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a 10ml rollerball mix: | 2 drops of Peppermint oil | 3 drops of Clove oil |
| 8ml Avocado oil | ||
| Muscle & Joint Pain Relief | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a 30ml amber glass bottle mix: | 4 drops Clove oil | 4 drops Turmeric oil |
| 4 drops Lavender oil | 25ml Grape Seed oil | |
| Insects Be Gone! | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a 60ml spritz bottle mix: | 6 drops Clove oil | 10 drops Lavender oil |
| 5 drops Citronella oil | 30ml Grape Seed oil | |
| 30ml Witch Hazel or Water | ||
I always keep a bottle of Clove Essential Oil handy for pain whether it is tooth or other body pains. I have purchased great deals from National Nutrition which I trust to carry reputable brands. When using Clove Oil for body pain, I mix it with other essential oils like lavender and a carrier oil and apply it to the affected area.
Hello AL K,
Excellent to hear about how you use Clove oil. Dilution is important when applying topically. We like to dilute oils with grape seed oil when we want it to absorb quickly and avocado oil when we want to use it as a massage oil. Clove has a pleasant aroma that is nice to diffuse in the winter months. It also blends well with lemon oil.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil/
Happy mixing!
This article essentially gives you all the info on how and when to use clove oil. For me it has been a great help with toothaches and also for muscle aches and pain. I keep a combination of various essential oils that I make myself including clove oil, rosemary, peppermint and adding a carrier oil which essentially becomes my go-to pain reliever. National Nutrition has a vast selection of essential oils which is very convenient.
Hello Roger,
Thank you for sharing, we're glad you have enjoyed our articles on essential oils. Clove has a great aroma and can help cleanse the air when diffused and if diluted properly definitely helps with muscle aches and pains. It's important to note that essential oils shouldn't be ingested unless they are food grade; however. If you'd like to learn more, be sure to check out our essential oil series on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
I never knew that clove essential oils had so many diverse uses it was interesting to see how it can help headaches! I often get headaches so to see a recipe on how to make your own roll on headache relief remedy from clove essential oils was so cool and helpful! A bonus is that it can be used as bug repellent! My husband is allergic to deet I so this could be a great natural remedy thank you!
Hello OH,
We're thrilled to hear that you found our article on clove essential oils helpful and informative. It's amazing how many versatile uses these oils have, right? Creating your own roll-on headache relief remedy sounds like a fantastic idea, and the fact that it doubles as a bug repellent is definitely a bonus. Natural remedies can be such a great alternative, especially for those with allergies. Here are other natural remedies for a headache: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/headache/
Have a healthy day!
The info you provide doesn’t mention using clove for toothache. Some who comment mention it but they don’t mention if it must be diluted.
Hello Mardi,
In order to use medicinal oils internally, you must select a food-grade oil only and follow the recommended guidlines on the products label.
Thank you and have a healthy day.