Clove Essential Oil Information
Clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) has a sweet, strong, spicy fragrance that many recognize from mulled wine and spice cake. It originally came from the Spice Islands of Madagascar and has its origins in the myrtle family (myrtaceae).
The scent of clove oil is stimulating, revitalizing and flavorful, which is why it adds such a delicious spicy flavor to so many foods and desserts.
Clove is is a very potent essential oil that is quite "hot," meaning it can burn if used undiluted. That is why it needs to be used with great care in aromatherapy. Clove is not an essential oil to slather on yourself – a few drops will do. Be sure to please dilute, or cover with massage or vegetable oil.
Clove's Powerful Immune-Enhancing Properties
But don't let clove's "heat" deter you from using it – its powerful immune-enhancing properties are wonderfully beneficial and should not be passed up.
Clove essential oil is highly antimicrobial, antiseptic, analgesic, bactericidal, antioxidant, hemostatic (blood thinning) and anti-inflammatory. Just applying a couple of drops to the soles of your feet every day strengthens the immune system and provides loads of antioxidants.
Clove Oil Is Great For Natural Dental Health
Clove oil's principal constituent is eugenol, which is used in the dental industry to numb the gums (albeit, usually in synthetic form – the natural form or eugenol as found in high-quality clove oil is far superior).
Being allergic to all dental anesthesia, I have used the natural eugenol in clove oil to numb my gums and teeth during dental work. I won't say the effect is the same as numbing it with novocaine, but it helps a great deal and makes the work tolerable. It also helps speed tooth healing after the work is finished.
I have saved more than one tooth from abscessing by putting clove or Thieves (a blend that includes clove oil) on a small piece of cotton or folded tissue with a drop or two of vegetable oil to dilute, and placing it on the gum below the ailing tooth overnight for 10 to 14 days. It's amazingly effective, but must be done consistently.
Because of clove oil's unsurpassed immune-enhancing properties, it is an important ingredient in Young Living Essential Oil's "Thieves" blend, in their toothpaste, "Dentarome" and in "Thieves Mouthwash."
Uses In Infectious Diseases and More
Clove oil has been used in infectious diseases, intestinal parasites, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, pain, toothaches, scablies and infected wounds.
Jean Valnet, M.D., writes that clove oil can prevent contagious diseases and may treat arthritis, bronchitis, cholera, cyctitis, dental infections, amoebic dysentery, diarrhea, tuberculosis, acne, fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, halitosis, headaches, hypertension, insect bites, nausea, neuritis, dermatitis, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin cancer, chronic skin disease, bacterial colitis, sore, viral hepatitis, warts, and lymphoma.
Courmont et al. demonstrated in tests that a solution of .05 percent eugenol from clove oil was enough to kill the tuberculosis bacillus.
Besides all the above, clove essential oil stimulates healing, can encourage sleep and stimulate dreems and create a sense of protection and courage.
Clove – The Single Highest-Scoring Antioxidant Ever Tested
When it comes to antioxidant power, clove leads the pack. Clove is the highest-scoring single ingredient ever tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale. But remember, it's powerful, so always dilute for topical use.
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How to use: For dietary, aromatic or topical use. When using as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of vegetable oil and put into capsule. Then take one capsule before each meal or as desired.
Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Check with your health care provider if taking a blood-thinning medication. Always dilute before applying to the skin or taking internally. Keep out of reach of children.
Comments on Clove Essential Oil Information »
Angel @ 9:55 pm
Can you please tell me how I should dillute Clove oil to use it fo messages? 1 to 20, 1 to 40?
Essential Oil Diva @ 8:25 pm
Angel,
There's no hard and fast rule regarding proportions. Twenty to thirty drops is what people usually add. Some essential oils are already considerably diluted and don't require as much massage oil. Young Living's clove oil is quite strong, so you may want to add more carrier oil. You'll need to experiment and see what dilution level you prefer. Some people prefer to put the oil on neat (full strength) for a moment, then follow with massage oil. It's really all a matter of preference.
The main thing with a hot oil like clove is to take care not to burn the skin, either by mixing clove with a carrier oil or adding massage oil on top of it once it's on the skin. So if you find the skin is still burning after you've diluted it, just add some massage oil over it. Be sure to use a pure and natural massage oil. The V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex massage oil is an excellent oil to use with the essential oils.
The Essential Oil Diva
huraa @ 5:43 am
will you plz tell me, how to check the antioxidant in clove oil and what shall a procedure must i follow?
Essential Oil Diva @ 6:23 am
The ORAC score for clove oil is 1,078,700 ute/100g.
ORAC values can be tested by sending samples to an individual laboratory.
It would be very difficult to test for ORAC values at home, as it requires commercial equipment. According to Wikipedia:
"Method
The assay measures the oxidative degradation of the fluorescent molecule (either beta-phycoerythrin or fluorescein) after being mixed with free radical generators such as azo-initiator compounds. Azo-initiators are considered to produce the peroxyl radical by heating, which damages the fluorescent molecule, resulting in the loss of fluorescence. Antioxidant is able to protect the fluorescent molecule from the oxidative degeneration. The degree of protection will be quantified using a fluorometer. Fluorescein is currently used most as a fluorescent probe. Equipment that can automatically measure and calculate the capacity is commercially available (Biotek, Roche Diagnostics)."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_radical_absorbance_capacity
Karen @ 12:13 pm
I made about 30 vegetable capsules of 4 drops clove and 5 drops lemongrass. I stored them in a dark container. Within 3 days, the capsules disintegrated. Does anyone have an idea why and how to prevent this?
Thank you
Essential Oil Diva @ 2:49 pm
Karen,
So sorry to find out that you didn't know essential oils do this. Essential oils 'digest' the materials the capsules are made of, even vegi-caps. And clove oil is one of the strongest! That's why, if you're making capsules for yourself at home, make them just before swallowing – they don't store well, as you discovered.
This is why therapeutic-grade essential oils dissolve petrochemicals and toxins in the body, as well.
If you put a few drops of lemon oil into a Styrofoam cup, the oil will dissolve a hole in the cup in a few hours. So if you add essential oil to water or juice, always put it in a glass container.
Commercially produced essential oil capsules use materials that can withstand the potent cleaning power of the oils, but simple vegi-caps and gelatin caps cannot. I don't know of anything available for home use that does. Don't use gelatin caps with essential oils, by the way – they won't last longer than a minute or two.
So don't make any up in advance. Just fill each capsule as you need it. If you are traveling, just take the oil bottles along with empty capsules and fill just before using.
Essential Oil Diva
Tia @ 8:33 pm
I had read that a lady had mixed clove oil with a shampoo and conditioner to help kill lice. Has anyone else tried this and how much (ml, or oz) would you recommend mixing with the shampoo and conditioner?
Essential Oil Diva @ 2:42 pm
Tia,
I haven't heard about using clove for that, but I think it could work. Clove is very powerful!
As far as dilution, I've heard of people mixing melaleuca alternifolia 50/50 with vegetable oil (olive is good) and rub it through the hair and scalp. With clove oil, I'd probably use less – probably 8-10 drops to a couple of tablespoons of oil. Be very careful about keeping the oil away from the eyes and mucous membranes – clove oil burns!
Most people cover with a shower cap overnight. But if the clove is too strong, leave it on as long as tolerable (a couple of hours) or 15 minutes at the very least.
Also be sure to remove the nits from bedding, couches, pillows, clothes, everything – and check your pets. They get into everything.
I have several experiences in my files about this. I think I'll put up a webpage – check back in a few days.
Here's an account from one mother: