AnnaMaria
If you’re like most people, cloves probably sit in the back of your spice cabinet, only seeing the light of day during the holiday season or when making mulled wine. But what if we told you that this humble spice could be one of the most powerful health boosters you’re not using? Packed with essential nutrients, antioxidants, and medicinal compounds, cloves are more than just a flavor enhancer—they’re a natural remedy that can transform your health from the inside out.
Used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, cloves are now being studied by modern science for their incredible healing properties. From improving digestion and fighting inflammation to supporting liver health and boosting immunity, this tiny spice offers a wide array of health benefits you don’t want to ignore.
In this post, you’ll discover exactly what happens when you start eating cloves regularly, how much to take, who should be cautious, and how to incorporate them into your diet with ease.
What Are Cloves?
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to Indonesia. They have a strong, warm, and slightly sweet flavor, and they’re used both whole and ground in culinary and medicinal applications. But what really makes cloves stand out is their impressive nutritional and phytochemical profile.
Just a small amount of cloves contains:
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Vitamin C
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Vitamin K
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Manganese
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Calcium
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Magnesium
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Fiber
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Eugenol (a potent medicinal compound)
Even in small doses, cloves offer a powerful punch.
1. Cloves Are One of the Best Natural Antioxidants
Cloves have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score among the highest of all foods, meaning they can help your body neutralize harmful free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that contribute to aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
The key antioxidant in cloves is eugenol, which not only protects your cells but also has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
By eating cloves daily, you’re helping your body fight off oxidative stress and lower the risk of degenerative diseases.
2. Boosts Digestion and Gut Health
For centuries, cloves have been used as a natural remedy for digestive discomfort. They stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, helping to improve nutrient absorption and reduce bloating, gas, and indigestion.
Cloves can also relieve nausea and vomiting, especially when chewed raw or consumed in tea form. Their antibacterial effects may help control harmful gut bacteria while promoting a healthy balance of intestinal flora.
If you suffer from acid reflux or indigestion, adding a clove or two to your daily routine could bring noticeable relief.
3. Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Reliever
Chronic inflammation is behind most modern health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Cloves contain several compounds that fight inflammation, with eugenol being the most studied.
Eugenol works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the molecules responsible for causing inflammation and pain in the body. This is why clove oil is often used topically for toothaches or sore muscles.
But consuming cloves regularly can also reduce internal inflammation and help manage chronic pain conditions naturally.
4. Supports Liver Detox and Health
Your liver is the body’s main detox organ. It filters out toxins, metabolizes fats, and helps regulate hormones. Over time, especially with poor diet and exposure to environmental toxins, liver function can decline.
Research shows that eugenol in cloves can improve liver function and reduce signs of liver damage. In animal studies, clove extract has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver while boosting natural detox enzymes.
Eating cloves regularly may help keep your liver healthy and functioning optimally, especially if you are exposed to alcohol, medications, or a processed diet.
5. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Several studies have found that cloves may help stabilize blood sugar levels, making them especially useful for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
Cloves appear to improve insulin sensitivity and may slow down the absorption of glucose in the intestine. They also help regulate the enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.
Incorporating just a pinch of ground cloves into your meals could help support better blood sugar control naturally.
6. Strengthens the Immune System
Cloves are known to increase white blood cell count, which strengthens the immune response. Their antimicrobial and antiviral properties also help your body fight off infections, including common colds, respiratory issues, and flu.
Chewing raw cloves or drinking clove tea is a traditional remedy used to boost immunity, soothe sore throats, and clear nasal passages during seasonal illnesses.
7. Improves Oral Health and Freshens Breath
Clove oil is a common ingredient in natural mouthwashes and toothpaste, and for good reason. Its antibacterial properties help kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, reduce gum infections, and freshen breath.
Chewing on a clove after meals has been a long-standing tradition in India and the Middle East. It helps fight odor-causing bacteria and leaves a pleasant taste while also aiding digestion.
If you suffer from gum sensitivity, bad breath, or toothaches, cloves may be your new best friend.
8. May Help With Bone Health
Cloves contain manganese, an essential mineral that helps build bone tissue and supports overall skeletal strength. Along with other antioxidants, this may help prevent bone loss and osteoporosis with age.
Animal studies have shown that clove extract can improve bone density and strength, especially in subjects with estrogen deficiency.
While more research is needed in humans, the nutritional components of cloves make them a wise addition to any bone-health regimen.
9. Enhances Skin Health and Reduces Acne
Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cloves may help reduce acne, redness, and skin irritation. Clove oil is sometimes diluted and applied topically to blemishes or used in homemade face masks.
Eating cloves internally also supports clearer skin by reducing systemic inflammation and promoting detoxification.
10. Supports Respiratory Health
Cloves are often used to ease symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. Their expectorant properties help clear mucus from the lungs and open the airways.
Boiling cloves into tea with ginger and honey is a traditional remedy for colds, coughs, and congestion.
How to Start Eating Cloves Daily
Here are a few easy ways to add cloves to your daily routine:
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Chew 1–2 whole cloves daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
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Add a pinch of ground cloves to your smoothies, oatmeal, or tea.
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Make clove tea by boiling 4–5 cloves in a cup of water for 5–10 minutes.
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Use cloves in cooking—in soups, stews, curries, and desserts.
How Much Is Safe?
Like most potent remedies, moderation is key. One to two cloves per day are enough to receive benefits. Excessive use can cause side effects such as mouth irritation or gastrointestinal discomfort in some people.
Avoid consuming large amounts if you’re pregnant, on blood thinners, or preparing for surgery, as cloves can affect blood clotting.
Who Should Be Cautious?
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People with bleeding disorders
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Those on anticoagulant medications
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People with ulcers or gastrointestinal issues
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women (consult a doctor first)
Pair Cloves With These Ingredients for Maximum Effect
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Cinnamon – for blood sugar support
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Honey – for soothing sore throats and colds
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Turmeric – for a powerful anti-inflammatory combo
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Ginger – for digestive and respiratory relief
Barbara O’Neill’s View on Cloves
Natural health educator Barbara O’Neill has long advocated for using simple, accessible foods as medicine. Regarding cloves, she notes:
“Cloves are one of the most concentrated sources of antioxidants available in nature. A little goes a long way in helping the body fight infection, inflammation, and chronic illness. When you combine this with a wholesome diet and clean lifestyle, you give your body the tools it needs to heal itself.”
She encourages people to look at spices not just as flavorings, but as natural tools for healing that have stood the test of time.
Conclusion
From improving digestion and circulation to boosting immunity and detoxifying the liver, cloves are an incredible natural ally for overall wellness. This tiny spice is easy to use, incredibly potent, and backed by centuries of traditional wisdom and modern science.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to dust off that spice jar and bring cloves into your daily life. One or two a day may be all you need to start seeing changes in your energy, immunity, digestion, and skin.
Start small, stay consistent, and let nature do its work. Cloves might just be the smallest health habit with the biggest impact.
