Clove (Laung): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Clove is an unopened flower bud growing on the tree Syzgium aromaticum, belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Cloves have a deep brown colour and a powerful fragrant odour that is warm, strongly sweet, pungent, and slightly astringent¹.

Clove is known by several names like Laung, Lavang, Laumg in Hindi; Lavanga, Lavangaka, Lavangam, Bhadrasriya, Devakusuma, Haricandana, Devapuspa, Varala in Sanskrit; Luvang in Marathi; Lavang in Gujarati; Lavanga in Bengali; Laung in Punjabi; Labanga in Oriya; Laung, Loung in Urdu; Grampu, Karayampu, Karampu in Malayalam; Lavanga, Krambu; Daevakusuma in Kannada; Kaaravallu, Devakusumamu, Lavangalu, Lavangamu in Telugu; Kirampu, Kiraambu, Kirambu, Grambu, Ilavankam in Tamil¹.

Clove is considered the symbol of dignity and is a valuable and precious spice of the world. It is commonly used in garam masala, salads, pickles, and biryanis¹. Clove is mainly produced in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar. Clove may have several medicinal properties like antioxidant, pain-killing, anti-bacterial and anti-viral².

Nutritional Value of Clove

Clove contains the following nutrients (per 100g)¹:

• Carbohydrate: 61.21 g
• Protein: 5.98 g
• Fat: 20.07 g
• Energy: 323 kcal
• Fibre: 34.2 g
• Calcium: 646 mg
• Iron: 8.68 mg
• Potassium: 1102 mg
• Phosphorus: 105 mg
• Magnesium: 264 mg
• Sodium: 243 mg
• Copper: 0.347 mg
• Zinc: 1.09 mg
• Selenium: 5.9 mcg
• Manganese: 30.033 mg
• Vitamin C: 80.8 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.267 mg
• Thiamine: 0.115 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.590 mg
• Niacin: 1.458 mg
• Vitamin A: 530 IU
• Vitamin E: 8.52 mg
• Vitamin K: 141.8 mcg
• Fatty acids, total saturated: 5.438 g
• Fatty acids, total monounsaturated: 1.471 g
• Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated: 7.088 g

Some studies¹¹ suggest that the intake of clove along with ginger may have anti-diabetic properties. Its consumption might help in reducing blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Properties of Clove

Clove may show the following properties:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Carminative (relieves flatulence)
• Enhances stomach acid production and improves muscular contractions
• Antifungal
• Expectorant (helps discharge respiratory tract secretions)

Potential Uses of Clove

The potential uses of clove are given as follows.

1. Potential Uses of Clove for Killing Bacteria and Fungi

Clove was tested for antimicrobial activities against several fungi and bacterial strains. During lab trials, clove showed bacteria-killing activity against all foodborne pathogens, including E. coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus⁷. Clove oil was found to be efficient against Staphylococcus species. Aspergillus niger (fungi) was highly sensitive to clove oil. Also, clove oil showed germicidal effects against Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens, S. aureus, E. coli, and Candida albicans during a lab study⁶. It was also found to kill Bacillus tuberculosis efficiently.¹ The antimicrobial properties have been observed in lab studies. More trials are required to support clove against infectious diseases in humans. Therefore, do not use clove oil before consulting your healthcare provider. 

2. Potential Uses of Clove for the Liver

The clove extract was tested for liver protective activity in an animal model⁸. The clove extract restored the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes in serum and therefore showed liver protective activity. However, if you are experiencing any liver problems, consult your healthcare provider before using clove as a remedy.

3. Potential Uses of Clove for Inflammation

Clove oil (eugenol) may help clear the respiratory passages and act as an expectorant for managing several upper-respiratory diseases like bronchitis, cough, cold, asthma, and sinus conditions. Clove contains various flavonoids like β-caryophyllene, kaempferol, and rhamnetin that might contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity³. You must talk to your healthcare provider before using clove or its oil for any inflammatory conditions.

4. Potential Uses of Clove as an Antioxidant

Clove and eugenol have shown strong antioxidant properties in trials. Clove has a high capacity to reduce lipid peroxidation and give off hydrogen¹. In the database of the United States Department of Agriculture, along with universities and private companies, it is indicated that clove has a higher content of polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds. Clove bud extract may be used as a food antioxidant². In some studies⁹, it was observed that kidney functions, liver functions, and antioxidant status were improved with clove use. Before using clove or any herb for its health benefits, you need to contact your healthcare provider and get a proper diagnosis.

5. Potential Uses of Clove as a Painkiller

The pain-killing effect of clove has been documented since the 13^th century. Clove oil might be effective in dealing with joint pain, tooth pain, and spasmodic pain². Clove oil has been widely used as an analgesic (pain killer) agent in dental clinics as it can relieve toothache. It may suppress inflammatory mediators (leukotriene) and prostaglandin. Also, it is thought to suppress the sensory receptors responsible for signalling pain. You should use clove under the supervision of a healthcare provider or after a doctor’s consultation only.

6. Potential Uses of Clove for Stomach-related Conditions

Clove oil helps deal with bloating and gas. In addition, clove oil may be an effective remedy for stomach-related conditions like motion sickness, nausea, hiccups, and vomiting^2,4. If you are suffering from any stomach problems, you should talk to your doctor to come up with a diagnosis. Using herbs or remedies without talking to your doctor can worsen the situation.

7. Potential Uses of Clove for Brain-related Conditions

Clove oil is believed to stimulate the circulatory system, which might help manage insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, depression, fatigue, and mental exhaustion⁴. Clove oil was tested for managing depression in an animal model¹⁰. It was found to be helpful as it showed an anti-depressant effect. However, do not use clove oil as an alternative to medicinal treatment. If you are suffering from psychological distress, always talk to your doctor or psychiatrist.

8. Potential Uses of Clove for Cancer

Because of the potential antioxidant activity of clove, it is thought to have an anti-cancer effect. It was found to have anti-cancer activity against the skin, lungs, and digestive cancers. The anti-tumour action may be due to the presence of oleanic acid. Also, it has been reported to show anti-cancer activity against colorectal, breast, and leukaemia cancer cells⁴. Large human-scale studies are required to support the use of clove against cancer in humans. Therefore, you are advised to adhere to the doctor’s treatment and advice for cancer.

Though there are studies showing the benefits of clove in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of clove on human health. 

According to some research¹², clove extracts and clove oil might possess inhibitory properties against certain enzymes like acetylcholinesterase, which are responsible for the destruction of certain neurotransmitters like acetylcholine. Such effects of clove extract and clove oil to act as an anti-cholinesterase agent might be beneficial against diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Clove

Clove can be used as:

• Whole spice
• Powder
• Oil¹

These are used in several dental products like toothpaste, dental creams, throat sprays, and mouthwashes¹.

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking cloves or any herbal supplements. Likewise, do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.  

Side Effects of Clove

The side effects associated with clove use are given below.

• Clove’s side effects caused by smoking clove cigarettes include haemorrhagic pulmonary oedema, bronchitis, pneumonia, occupational allergic contact dermatitis, and central nervous system depression⁵.
• Clove oil used in low doses may have side effects like rare allergic reactions, local irritation, and contact dermatitis.
• Eating or exposure to a large amount can cause tissue injury and a syndrome of acute onset of seizures, damage to the liver and kidneys, and coma⁶.

Before using clove or any herb for its health benefits, talk to your healthcare provider about the possible side effects associated with its use. It will help you avoid unwanted side effects.

Precautions to Take with Clove

Here are some general precautions you need to take while using cloves.

• For children: Clove oil in higher doses is a cytotoxin (a substance that kills cells) and causes severe acute kidney or liver injury. Therefore, please take precautions before giving cloves to children⁶.
• There is insufficient data for its consumption during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Therefore, consult your doctor before consuming clove or clove-related products.

Also, before you use clove for any of its benefits on health, talk to your healthcare provider about the possible precautions and limitations of using clove. It will help you make well-informed choices.

Interactions With Other Drugs

Clove may increase the risk of bleeding or enhance the effects of warfarin therapy.

If you are taking medicines for any disease, talk to your doctor about the possible interactions of medication with other herbs and drugs. It will help you avoid unwanted herb-drug interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Milind P, Deepa K. Clove: a Champion Spice. Int J Res Ayurveda Pharm [Internet]. 2011;2(1):47–54. Available from: www.ijrap.net .Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267402397_Clove_A_champion_spice
2. Cortés-Rojas DF, de Souza CRF, Oliveira WP. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): A precious spice. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014;4(2):90–6. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25182278/
3. Vicidomini C, Roviello V, Roviello GN. Molecular basis of the therapeutical potential of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and clues to its anti-COVID-19 utility. Molecules. 2021 Mar 26;26(7):1880. doi:10.3390/molecules26071880. PMID: 33810416; PMCID: PMC8036487. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8036487/
4. Saeed M, Khan MS, Alagawany M, Farag MR, Alqaisi O, Aqib AI, et al. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and its phytochemicals in ruminant feed: an updated review. Rend Lincei [Internet]. 2021;32(2):273–85. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-021-00985-3
5. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Illnesses possibly associated with smoking clove cigarettes. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1985 May 31;34(21):297-9. PMID: 3923308. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3923308/
6. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Eugenol (Clove Oil) [Updated 2019 Oct 28]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551727/
7. Wadi MA. Evaluation of antibacterial activity and chemical analysis of clove aqueous extract (Syzygium aromaticum). BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Apr 21;25(1):146. doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04243-x. PMID: 40259325; PMCID: PMC12012983. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12012983/
8. Pajouhi A, Pajouhi N, Rouzbahani AK, Assaei R. Pretreatment administration of hydro-ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum prevents thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rat. Egypt Liver J. 2024;14:90. doi:10.1186/s43066-024-00400-0. Available from: https://eglj.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43066-024-00400-0
9. Abozid MM, El-Sayed SM. Antioxidant and protective effect of clove extracts and clove essential oil on hydrogen peroxide treated rats. Int J ChemTech Res. 2013;5(4):1477–85. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267036379_Antioxidant_and_protective_effect_of_clove_extracts_and_clove_essential_oil_on_hydrogen_peroxide_treated_rats
10. Mehta AK, Halder S, Khanna N, Tandon OP, Sharma KK. The effect of the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata in animal models of depression and locomotor activity. Nutr Neurosci. 2013 Sep;16(5):233-8. doi:10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000051. Epub 2013 Mar 4. PMID: 23462195. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23462195/
11. Abdulrazak A, Tanko Y, Mohammed A, Mohammed KA, Sada NM, Dikko AA. Effects of clove and fermented ginger on blood glucose, leptin, insulin and insulin receptor levels in high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic rabbits. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2018 Jun 30;33(1):89-93. PMID: 30091738. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30091738/
12. Dalai MK, Bhadra S, Chaudhary SK, Bandyopadhyay A, Mukherjee PK. Anti-cholinesterase activity of the standardized extract of Syzygium aromaticum L. Pharmacogn Mag. 2014 Apr;10(Suppl 2):S276-82. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.133275. PMID: 24991103; PMCID: PMC4078338. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4078338/

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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