Clove Essential Oil
Botanical Information
- Common Name
- Clove / Clove Bud
- Botanical Name
- Syzygium aromaticum
- Pronunciation
- sih-ZIJ-ee-um air-oh-MAT-ih-kum
- Plant Family
- Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)
- Genus
- Syzygium
- Species
- aromaticum
Meet the Tree
Clove comes from a tropical evergreen tree with glossy green leaves and clusters of flower buds. The tree is native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, historically known as the Spice Islands.
Those tiny flower buds are what become the familiar whole cloves found in the spice cupboard. They are harvested before the flowers fully open and then dried, turning from green to reddish-brown and finally dark brown.
Clove Bud, Leaf & Stem Oils
Essential oil can be distilled from the buds, leaves or stems of the Clove tree. All may contain large amounts of eugenol, but their exact chemistry and safety profiles can differ. In aromatherapy, Clove Bud is the oil most people mean when they simply say "Clove essential oil."
Plant Part Used
Clove Bud essential oil is steam distilled from the dried, unopened flower buds of the Clove tree.
Aroma Profile
- Aroma Note
- Middle
- Blending Factor
- 1
Aroma Description
Clove is often described as:
- Warm
- Spicy
- Sweet
- Rich
- Dry
- Woody
- Strong
- Familiar
Clove essential oil smells very much like the whole spice, but far more concentrated. Its warm, sweet-spicy aroma can quickly dominate a blend, so it works beautifully as an accent.
Chemistry Spotlight
Clove is one of the easiest essential oils for beginning chemistry students to remember because one constituent usually dominates its profile: eugenol.
Primary Constituents of Syzygium aromaticum
The signature constituent of Clove essential oil and usually its dominant component. Eugenol is responsible for much of Clove's recognizable spicy aroma and many of the properties traditionally associated with the oil.
An aromatic ester that contributes to Clove's sweet, warm and spicy fragrance.
A sesquiterpene found in many herbs and spices. It adds warm, woody and spicy depth to Clove's aroma.
Exact percentages vary depending on the plant material, growing conditions, harvest and distillation, which is why batch-specific testing is useful.
Historical & Traditional Uses
Cloves have been prized as a spice for thousands of years. The Clove tree originated in Indonesia's Maluku Islands, a region that became famous around the world for valuable spices such as Clove and Nutmeg.
Long-distance spice trading made cloves highly valuable. They travelled through trade routes connecting Southeast Asia with India, the Middle East and eventually Europe.
Clove has a particularly long history of use in oral and dental care. Preparations containing Clove or eugenol became well known for their strong aroma and their traditional use for temporary dental comfort.
Clove has also been used traditionally in culinary preparations, perfumery, household products and herbal practices throughout many parts of the world.
Therapeutic Uses, Blending & Safety
Therapeutic Actions
Clove is a potent aromatic oil best used in small amounts. Its eugenol-rich chemistry has made it especially interesting in research involving microbes and oxidation.
Traditional Therapeutic Actions
- Warming
- Stimulating
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Antifungal
- Deodorizing
- Analgesic
- Digestive support
Oral & Dental Tradition
Clove has a long association with dental care, and eugenol has been used in dentistry. This history does not mean concentrated Clove essential oil should be casually placed directly onto gums, teeth or other sensitive tissues.
Home & Cleaning
Clove's strong spicy aroma makes it a popular ingredient in aromatic home and cleaning blends, often alongside Lemon, Orange, Cinnamon or Eucalyptus.
Muscle & Body Blends
Clove may be incorporated at low concentrations into properly formulated warming body and massage blends.
Seasonal Aromatherapy
Clove is a favourite for autumn and winter diffuser blends. It pairs especially well with citrus, conifers and other spice oils to create warm, cozy aromas.
Everyday Uses
Like Cinnamon Bark, Clove is best treated as an accent oil. You usually need very little.
Diffuser Blends
- Add a small amount to Orange for a warm, spicy aroma.
- Combine with conifer oils for cozy seasonal blends.
Home Fragrance
- Use in properly formulated room sprays.
- Add to seasonal aromatic home products.
Cleaning
- Add as an aromatic component of household cleaning formulations.
- Pair with Lemon, Orange or Eucalyptus.
Body Products
- Use only at appropriate low concentrations in topical products.
- Pair with gentler oils to create a balanced aromatic blend.
Blending Guide
Clove has a bold personality. When used sparingly, it adds warmth and complexity. Use too much and everything simply smells like Clove!
Safety & Contraindications
Clove Bud is rich in eugenol and can irritate or sensitize the skin when used at excessive concentrations. It should not be applied undiluted.
Dilution Guidelines
Clove Bud requires more careful dilution than gentle oils such as Lavender or Cedarwood.
- Tisserand & Young recommend a dermal maximum of approximately 0.5% for Clove Bud essential oil.
- Never apply Clove essential oil undiluted to the skin.
- Avoid use on damaged, irritated or highly sensitive skin.
- Patch test when using a new topical formulation.
Blood Clotting & Medication
Eugenol can affect platelet activity. People taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, those with bleeding disorders, or those preparing for surgery should seek professional guidance before therapeutic use of Clove essential oil.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Conservative use is appropriate during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because Clove is a potent eugenol-rich oil, individualized guidance from a qualified healthcare professional is recommended for therapeutic topical use.
Children
Clove is not a first-choice topical essential oil for young children. Its high eugenol content and skin-sensitizing potential make gentler oils easier choices for most children's formulations.
Oral Use
Clove's history in dental care does not make undiluted Clove essential oil safe to place directly on gums or inside the mouth. Concentrated essential oil can irritate sensitive tissues.
Pets
Use extra caution with potent spice oils around animals. When diffusing, provide good ventilation and always allow pets to leave the area.
General Safety
- Never apply undiluted Clove essential oil to skin.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store tightly sealed away from heat and sunlight.
- Discontinue topical use if irritation occurs.
- Do not ingest essential oils unless specifically guided by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.
Did You Know?
- The cloves in your spice cupboard are dried flower buds.
- Clove trees are evergreen and can live for many decades.
- Clove originated in Indonesia's Maluku Islands, historically famous as the Spice Islands.
- Eugenol is responsible for much of Clove's characteristic aroma and is also used in dentistry.
- Clove belongs to the Myrtaceae family along with Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Myrtle.
Fun Facts
Quick Reference Sheet
- Common Name
- Clove / Clove Bud
- Botanical Name
- Syzygium aromaticum
- Plant Family
- Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)
- Plant Part Used
- Dried flower buds
- Extraction Method
- Steam distillation
- Native Region
- Maluku Islands, Indonesia
- Aroma Note
- Middle
- Blending Factor
- 1
- Aroma
- Warm, spicy, sweet, rich, woody
- Hot Oil
- Yes
- Photosensitive
- No
- Beginner Friendly
- Use with caution
- Eugenol
- Eugenyl Acetate
- β-Caryophyllene
- Warming
- Stimulating
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Antifungal
- Analgesic
- Orange
- Lemon
- Cinnamon Bark
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Black Spruce
- Cedarwood
- Frankincense
- Rosemary
- Lavender
This information is provided for educational purposes as part of the Blending Lab curriculum. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition, and always follow appropriate dilution and safety guidelines before topical use.
