Last updated: 17/10/2022

Welcome to our big clove oil test 2023. Here we present all the clove oils that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet. We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best clove oil for you.

You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy clove oil.




The most important facts

  • Cloves have their main use in the kitchen thanks to their intense flavour, but are also known as a multifunctional and natural remedy. It is possible to extract essential oils from all parts of a clove tree.
  • Clove oil can be used in many different ways for different purposes, but pay attention to the correct dosage. Clove oils that originate from Madagascar are of particularly high quality.
  • The best-known effect of clove oil is its pain-relieving power for toothache. The oil works like a local anaesthetic. But it also has many other health benefits. Clove oil is one of the most important antioxidants in nature.

The Best Clove oil: Our Picks

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying clove oil

What are cloves?

Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllus, Eugenia caryophyllata, clove tree, rodent and also known as clove heads) are the intensely fragrant and pungent-tasting flower buds of the clove tree. The flower we all know, clove, has nothing to do with cloves. The clove tree can reach a height of up to 10 metres and is an evergreen tree. Nowadays, the clove tree is cultivated in Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, Madagascar and Malaysia.

The unripe buds have the strongest spicy power and are most enriched with clove oil in this state. The unripe clove buds have a greenish colour, the dark brown colour we are used to only comes after drying. The right time to pick buds (must be picked by hand) is before petals appear and when they change colour from green to pink.

Gewürznelken neben Ölfläschchen

Clove oil can be made from all parts of the clove tree. (Image source: 123rf.com / 40162395)

The fresh buds lose about 75% of their weight after drying. Quality cloves are greasy and secrete some oil when pressed. You can check the quality of dried buds with a water test. If the cloves sink in the water or at least turn upside down, this indicates the highest quality. The cloves can appear in different forms:

  • Tea
  • Spice
  • Clove water (spray)
  • Clove oil
  • Clove ointment
  • Cloves dried (whole)
  • Cloves ground etc.

In the Middle Ages, people used cloves as a remedy against plague and cholera . Namely, they chewed the cloves and used this as a pain-relieving and antibacterial remedy. Today, clove oil remains as an alternative remedy for various infections and serves as a popular essential oil for aromatherapy.

Did you know that for a long time clove oil was mainly used in dentistry? You can use the analgesic effect of clove oil for toothache. Dab one or two drops of the plant oil on the affected tooth.

How does clove oil work?

Cloves are mainly used in the kitchen thanks to their intense flavour, but they are also known as a multifunctional and natural remedy. It is possible to extract essential oils from all parts (buds, leaves, flowers) of a clove tree. For aromatherapy, the bud oil is the most suitable, as it is of higher quality and has fewer side effects. However, it is also somewhat more expensive. Effect of clove oil on the body:

  • antibacterial
  • helps against viruses
  • helps against mycosis
  • promotes blood circulation
  • tonic
  • analgesic
  • refreshes the breath
  • digestive
  • warming

Effect of clove oil on the psyche:

  • stimulating
  • invigorating
  • mood-lifting

The best-known effect of clove oil is its pain-relieving power for toothache (works like a local anaesthetic), but it also has many other health benefits. Clove oil is one of the most important antioxidants in nature. It successfully inhibits inflammation and has an intensive effect on the human psyche. Its positive effect on depression, for example, has been scientifically proven.

Does clove oil really help with toothache?

As mentioned above, clove oil is a proven home remedy for inflammations and injuries of the gums as well as aching teeth. Mouthwash with clove oil is particularly recommended (for gum inflammation). Why is this so? 15% of clove oil is essential oil and 70-85% of it is eugenol, which acts like a local anaesthetic. That is why it is effective to chew cloves when you have a toothache. The remaining ingredients are beta-caryophyllene and oleanolic acid.

The clove oil not only acts like a local anaesthetic, but also has an intensive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. There are various uses of cloves for toothache. For example, you can sprinkle 1-2 drops of clove oil on a previously moistened cotton swab and rub it into the tooth.

The pain should subside within about 7 minutes. You can find different tinctures in the pharmacy (available only on prescription) and massage or rub them in. There are also non-prescription remedies available online, in pharmacies or drugstores.

What else is clove oil useful for?

In the following examples of use, you should always proceed with caution in the case of self-treatment, as side effects can occur if the oil is used in the wrong dosage and the healing effect can no longer be achieved.
Problem Description Application
Toothache The eugenol in clove oil has an anaesthetic effect and is thus an excellent remedy for toothache You can apply the clove oil pure to the painful area or chew a dried clove.
Bad breath The essential oils of cloves kill bacteria and fight bad breath Simply add a few drops of clove oil to your daily mouthwash.
Back pain Clove oil has a painkilling effect due to its anaesthetic effect Apply clove oil to the painful area and massage it in gently.
Inflammation of the mouth and throat Clove oil is a natural remedy for sore throats and other inflammations of the mouth and throat due to its antibacterial effect You can either prepare a solution for gargling or apply the oil undiluted to the affected area.
Mosquitoes Mosquitoes have a very keen sense of smell. With the smell of cloves you can quickly get rid of the pesky insects You can either simply place an opened bottle of clove oil on the table or soak some cotton wools in clove oil. The oil can also be used in fragrance lamps.

What is a clove oil tampon?

Many pregnant women get worried when the calculated due date has already passed and they become restless and impatient. This is when a clove tampon can be used. It is a very simple tampon soaked in a clove oil mixture that is inserted into the vagina. The recipe is: 50 drops of clove leaf oil mixed with 30ml of evening primrose, almond or sunflower oil. Put 5 drops of this mixture on a normal tampon and wear it for six hours.

How can I use clove oil?

There are many different uses for clove oil and almost as many ways you can use it. For example, you can apply the oil to toothache, backache or inflammation and rub it into the affected areas. The oil is also suitable for massages or baths. This way you can extend the effect to larger areas. For applications in the mouth area, you can also prepare a solution with clove oil with which you can rinse.

For bacterial infections, bronchitis, influenza and similar complaints, clove oil can be used in the form of a fragrance lamp or as an inhalation. For skin fungus and acne, you can apply clove oil compresses. You can also drink clove oil as a tea. In this case, it can help with intestinal colic, nausea and indigestion, for example.

Does the use of clove oil cause side effects?

Clove oil only causes side effects to a limited extent. When used in the correct dosage, it is well tolerated and hardly causes any allergic reactions. The dosage should not exceed 0.5 %. If it does, the clove oil can actually cause health problems. In rare cases, it can even cause allergies. If overdosed, the oil can destroy tissue and cells, as well as affect genetic material.

Thus, it no longer has an antioxidant effect when it interacts with the P450 enzyme, as it consequently becomes genotoxic and prooxidant. In case of overdose, vomiting, shortness of breath, sore throat, kidney failure and liver damage may also occur as side effects. Before clove oil is taken together with medicines, you should inform yourself about its tolerability and safety.

Therefore, always be very careful with the dosage if you want to use clove oil e.g. for medicinal purposes.

What does clove oil cost?

The price of clove oil depends on various factors:

  • Manufacturer
  • Purity
  • Quantity
  • Ingredients
  • Country of origin etc.

You can find a general overview in the following table:

type price
clove bud oil from 3,90€
clove leaf oil from 1,79€
clove flower oil from 2,79€

What are the alternatives to clove oil?

The determining odour, taste and effect of cloves is largely due to the essential oils contained in them, especially eugenol (phenylpropanoid), which accounts for up to 15%. With regard to taste, capsules with powdered cloves can be used as an alternative in order to benefit from the effect of the plant.

Decision: What types of clove oil are there and which is the right one for you?

In addition to the purity and organic quality of the clove oil, the part of the plant from which the oil was produced is also decisive for the quality. The oil can be obtained from

  • the bud
  • the leaves
  • the stem / the flowers

What distinguishes clove bud oil and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

As already mentioned, the most expensive and most valuable clove oil from a health point of view is clove bud oil. For aromatherapy, it is recommended to buy a good clove bud oil because it is less likely to cause side effects.

Advantages
  • effective
  • less aggressive for the mucous membrane
Disadvantages
  • expensive

It has a strong, warm, spicy fragrance and a sweet note. The essential oil from the buds has a yellow to brownish-yellow colour. Before use, always be careful how exactly you should dose and dilute it for your purposes.

What are the characteristics of clove leaf oil and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Clove leaf oil is extracted from the leaves and twig tips of the clove tree by steam distillation. The oil has positive health properties. It has a warming effect, promotes concentration and stimulates. The clove leaf oil smells spicy, strong and warm. Further properties:

  • strongly antibacterial
  • antiviral
  • antispasmodic
  • analgesic
  • insect repellent
  • against tiredness

The oil can be used well for acne, candida types, bacterial colitis and for respiratory problems through inhalations, liniments and oil baths. Compared to bud oil it is cheaper, but as it can be quite aggressive on the mucous membranes, it is recommended to use it for pure room scenting or for cosmetic purposes (dose carefully) with less therapeutic intentions.

Advantages
  • beneficial
  • repels insects
  • antibacterial
Disadvantages
  • skin irritant
  • less quality

What distinguishes clove stem oil/flower oil and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

The effect of clove stem oil is similar to clove leaf oil, but it is highly concentrated, so it is more important to use it sparingly. By mixing it with other oils, different aromas can be produced.

Advantages
  • cheap
  • highly antibacterial
  • highly concentrated
  • economical
Disadvantages
  • irritating to the skin
  • less quality

The oil is produced by steam distillation from the dried and finely chopped stems of the flower buds. With time and contact with substances containing iron, the oil turns dark. Several recent studies have shown that clove stem oil is one of the most powerful antibacterial and analgesic essential oils. It can be used for various purposes from tooth and gum infections to acne, like clove leaf oil.

Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate clove oil

In the following, we will show you which criteria you can use to compare and evaluate clove oils. This will make it easier for you to get an overview and decide on a suitable and effective product. In summary, these are the following criteria:

  • Purity
  • Application
  • Packaging

In the following, you can read about the respective criteria and find out why it makes sense for you to purchase an oil based on the criteria or not.

Purity

The price of a clove oil itself usually speaks about the quality of the oil. It is advisable to opt for organic quality (100% pure essential oils). Clove oil from conventional cultivation or nature-identical and synthetically produced oils can contain pollutants, which reduces the positive effect of the oil. Products that are labelled as organically grown promise to be free of pollutants. It is important to also pay attention to the country of origin, as the composition of the oils varies depending on the origin. Tips to consider:

  • Note the information of the plant part from which the oil is made.
  • Look at the exact ratio with the added oils.
  • Note the extraction method (water distillation vs. using clove tree leaves).
  • Note the exact quantity
  • In Germany, no therapeutic form is specified unless it is a medicinal product.

Application

It is very important to dilute the clove oil well for external use. The clove oil should make up a maximum of 0.5%. Otherwise, side effects may appear and skin irritations may occur. With regard to internal use, you should be even more careful. For internal use, inhalation is suitable (again, dosage in moderation). If your destination is not predetermined, then it is better to resort to alternative forms of use such as a tea made from dried clove buds. In this way, their ingredients are strongly diluted and well-tolerated. This helps with digestive problems, for example.

Packaging

Before buying, make sure that the clove oil is bottled in a dark bottle and protected from light. If the clove oil is not protected from the light, it quickly loses the valuable ingredients. Heat also has a negative effect on clove oil. Room temperature is quite normal for storage. The best packaging for storing clove oil is considered to be violet glass bottles.

Trivia: Facts worth knowing about clove oil

Can clove oil be used on children?

Clove oil should not be used on younger children as it can be very irritating and cause allergic reactions. Only after the age of twelve can clove essential oil be used on children if the correct dosage is used.

Can clove essential oil be used as a room fragrance with wooden sticks?

Yes, the oil can be used for the room scent, as well as for use with wooden sticks and even for sauna infusion.

What are clove capsules?

Clove capsules consist of cloves and gelatine. They are considered a food supplement. You should not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep the capsules out of the reach of children. Children are not allowed to take the capsules until they are 12 years old.

Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Image source: 123rf.com / 40162395

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