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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Journal of Natural Medicines: Hypoglycemic Effects of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum Flower Buds) on Genetically Diabetic KK-Ay Mice and Identification of the Active Ingredients
- Journal of Natural Medicines: Hypoglycemic Effects of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum Flower Buds) on Genetically Diabetic KK-Ay Mice and Identification of the Active Ingredients
- Journal of Medical Microbiology: Antifungal Activity of the Clove Essential Oil From Syzygium Aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species
- Journal of Medical Microbiology: Antifungal Activity of the Clove Essential Oil From Syzygium Aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species
- Journal of Natural Products: Compounds From Syzygium Aromaticum Possessing Growth Inhibitory Activity Against Oral Pathogens
- Journal of Natural Products: Compounds From Syzygium Aromaticum Possessing Growth Inhibitory Activity Against Oral Pathogens
- Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology: Protection of Oral or Intestinal Candidiasis in Mice by Oral or Intragastric Administration of Herbal Food, Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum)
- Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology: Protection of Oral or Intestinal Candidiasis in Mice by Oral or Intragastric Administration of Herbal Food, Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum)
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Ground Clove Health Benefits
Used by many cultures as a spice, cloves have also had a place in traditional medicine around the world for centuries. People have traditionally used it for digestive issues, intestinal worms, respiratory illnesses and even as an aphrodisiac. Modern science has approved the use of cloves for diabetes and cancer prevention and has recognized its anti-fungal properties and role in oral health. Both the leaves of the clove plant and the clove buds commonly used as spices have been found to have significant benefits.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Diabetes Prevention
In a 2012 study published in the "Journal of Natural Medicines," scientists found that cloves had a hypoglycemic effect in mice 2. In the lab, they introduced glucose to mice with type-2 diabetes. Then they gave some mice a placebo and others clove bud extract. Those given clove extract suppressed the increase in blood glucose level, whereas the placebo mice experienced high rises in glucose levels. The scientists concluded that clove buds have the potential to aid in the prevention of type-2 diabetes.
- In a 2012 study published in the "Journal of Natural Medicines," scientists found that cloves had a hypoglycemic effect in mice 2.
- In the lab, they introduced glucose to mice with type-2 diabetes.
Antioxidant Source
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In a 2013 study published in "International Journal of Green Pharmacy," scientists found that clove leaves are high in antioxidants. They concluded that by eliminating free radicals, clove leaf extract was able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells when studied in isolation in the lab. They suggest cloves have a use in pharmacy for the prevention of cancer. Taking a clove leaf supplement hasn't been proved to treat cancer, but it may aid in cancer prevention efforts due to the high antioxidant content.
- In a 2013 study published in "International Journal of Green Pharmacy," scientists found that clove leaves are high in antioxidants.
- They suggest cloves have a use in pharmacy for the prevention of cancer.
Anti-Fungal Properties
In a 2009 study published in the "Journal of Medical Microbiology," scientists looked at the effect of clove bud oil on fungi that can live inside the human body, including candida and aspergillus 3. They found that clove oil, when isolated in the lab, significantly reduced the fungal cell membrane. Clove almost completely inhibited all growth of candida in particular. In a 2005 study on mice published in the "Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology," clove leaves administered directly to the stomach reduced the number of candida (fungi) cells 5. Taking ground clove supplements will have an anti-fungal effect in your body and can help prevent infections.
Oral Health
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In the same study, when scientists introduced clove leaves to the mouths of candida-infected mice, the oral health of the mice improved. This means that chewing clove leaves rather than taking them in capsules will help you if you're having problems with dental cavities. When the clove leaves were introduced to the mice into the stomachs, their oral cavities were not improved. Besides candida infections, cloves can also fight other bacteria and fungi, according to a study published in 1996 in the "Journal of Natural Products."
- In the same study, when scientists introduced clove leaves to the mouths of candida-infected mice, the oral health of the mice improved.
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References
- Botanical Online: Medicinal Properties of Cloves
- Journal of Natural Medicines: Hypoglycemic Effects of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum Flower Buds) on Genetically Diabetic KK-Ay Mice and Identification of the Active Ingredients
- Journal of Medical Microbiology: Antifungal Activity of the Clove Essential Oil From Syzygium Aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species
- Journal of Natural Products: Compounds From Syzygium Aromaticum Possessing Growth Inhibitory Activity Against Oral Pathogens
- Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology: Protection of Oral or Intestinal Candidiasis in Mice by Oral or Intragastric Administration of Herbal Food, Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum)
- Mohan R, Jose S, Mulakkal J, Karpinsky-semper D, Swick AG, Krishnakumar IM. Water-soluble polyphenol-rich clove extract lowers pre- and post-prandial blood glucose levels in healthy and prediabetic volunteers: an open label pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):99. doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2507-7
- Alqareer A, Alyahya A, Andersson L. The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. J Dent. 2006;34(10):747-50. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2006.01.009
- Krasnova TN, Samokhodskaya LM, Ivanitsky LV, et al. Impact of interleukin-10 and interleukin-28 gene polymorphisms on the development and course of lupus nephritis. Ter Arkh. 2015;87(6):40-44. doi:10.1080/09540105.2017.1320357
- Hu Q, Zhou M, Wei S. Progress on the Antimicrobial Activity Research of Clove Oil and Eugenol in the Food Antisepsis Field. J Food Sci. 2018;83(6):1476-1483. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.14180
- Du WX, Olsen CW, Avena-bustillos RJ, Mchugh TH, Levin CE, Friedman M. Effects of allspice, cinnamon, and clove bud essential oils in edible apple films on physical properties and antimicrobial activities. J Food Sci. 2009;74(7):M372-8. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01282.x
- Nathan M. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1999;130(5):459. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-130-5-199903020-00024.
- Kumar, D., Tanwar, V.K. Utilization of clove powder as phytopreservative for chicken nuggets preparation. Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research. 2011. Vol. 2(1): 11-14.
- Thapa D, Losa R, Zweifel B, Wallace RJ. Sensitivity of pathogenic and commensal bacteria from the human colon to essential oils. Microbiology (Reading, Engl). 2012;158(Pt 11):2870-2877. doi:10.1099/mic.0.061127-0
- Brown SA, Biggerstaff J, Savidge GF. Disseminated intravascular coagulation and hepatocellular necrosis due to clove oil. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1992;3(5):665-8. doi:10.1097/00001721-199210000-00025
- Lane BW, Ellenhorn MJ, Hulbert TV, Mccarron M. Clove oil ingestion in an infant. Hum Exp Toxicol. 1991;10(4):291-4. doi:10.1177/096032719101000410
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - An Overview.
Writer Bio
Karen McCarthy is a health enthusiast with expertise in nutrition, yoga and meditation. She currently studies at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and has been writing about nutrition since 2012. She is most passionate about veganism and vegetarianism and loves to promote the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.