CLOVE ESSENTIAL OIL

Clove oil is an essential oil that’s derived from clove trees. The clove tree, known as Syzygium aromaticum, is native to Southeast Asia, although today you may find it growing in other locations, too.

Clove oil is produced by distilling the dried flower buds that are collected from the clove tree. Other parts of the tree, such as the stem and leaves, may also be used.

Clove oil, which ranges in color from colorless to light yellow and has a strong, spicy aroma, has been used for centuries in a variety of applications.

What are the benefits of clove essential oil?

Clove oil has traditionally been used for a variety of purposes, including:

• as an antimicrobial, to help kill bacteria
• as a pain reliever for conditions such as toothache and muscle pain
• for digestive upset
• to relieve respiratory conditions like cough and asthma

How to use:

There are several ways you can use clove oil at home. Here are some suggestions:

Spray

Using the oil as a spray is an easy way to add the spicy scent of clove to a room. Or perhaps you’d like to make use of clove oil’s antimicrobial properties and use it as a mild disinfectant. To make a clove spray:

Add several drops of clove oil to water. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) suggests 10 to 15 drops per ounce of water.

Since essential oils don’t dissolve in water, you may want to add a dispersing agent such as soluble to the solution as well.

Be sure to shake the bottle well before spraying.

Diffusion

Like spray applications, using a diffuser can help spread the aroma of clove throughout a room. When diffusing clove oil, be sure to carefully follow the instructions that came with your diffuser.

When spraying or diffusing clove oil, make sure the room is well-ventilated.

Topical

There are a couple of ways to apply clove oil to your skin if you want to use it for pain relief, wound healing, or to ease itching:

Massage oils. Dilute clove oil in a carrier oil, such as jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. The NAHA suggests using 15 drops of clove oil per ounce of carrier oil in order to create a 2.5 percent solution.

Creams, scrubs, or lotions. Dilute clove oil in an unscented product, such as a lotion or facial cream. The NAHA recommends a 1 to 2.5 percent dilution for normal skin and a 0.5 to 1 percent dilution for sensitive skin.

Dental

Do you have a toothache? Dabbing clove oil onto your sore tooth may help to relieve the pain until you can get to see a dentist. To use clove oil for a toothache, follow these steps:

Dilute a few drops of clove oil in an edible carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil.

Dab a clean cotton ball into the solution, allowing it to soak in.

Avoiding contact with your gums, apply the cotton ball to the sore tooth. It may take a few minutes of application to feel relief.

Reapply every 2 hours as necessary.

If you experience irritation or discomfort when applying clove oil to a tooth, stop using it.