Are cloves good for your bones? An evidence-based analysis

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

With an estimated 43 million older adults affected by low bone mass in the U.S. alone, the quest for natural remedies is significant. This leads many to question: are cloves good for your bones and a viable option to support skeletal health? We delve into the scientific backing behind this powerful spice's potential benefits.

Quick Summary

Cloves may support bone health through key nutrients like manganese, which is vital for bone metabolism, and potent compounds like eugenol, a powerful antioxidant. Animal studies suggest that clove extract could increase bone density and mineral content, showing promise for preventing osteoporosis.

Key Points

Rich in Manganese: Cloves are an excellent source of manganese, a mineral crucial for bone formation and repair, with a single teaspoon providing over 50% of the daily recommended value.
Contains Eugenol: The active compound eugenol has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can protect bone tissue from oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
Combats Bone Resorption: Animal studies suggest that clove extract can help inhibit osteoclast formation, the cells responsible for breaking down bone, which may help preserve bone mass.
Increases Bone Density: Research on ovariectomized rats showed that clove bud extract significantly improved bone density, mineral content, and tensile strength.
Important Precautions: While safe in food amounts, excessive consumption or use of clove oil can cause side effects like bleeding issues and liver damage, so moderation is key.

The Nutritional Powerhouse for Bones

Cloves, the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, are more than just a fragrant spice. They are packed with essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining strong, healthy bones. The primary nutrient of interest is manganese, a mineral that is vital for bone metabolism and formation.

Manganese: The Bone-Building Mineral

Just one teaspoon of ground cloves can provide over 50% of the recommended daily value of manganese. Manganese is a co-factor for many enzymes involved in the synthesis of bone cartilage and bone mineralization. By supporting the body's natural bone repair mechanisms, manganese helps to maintain bone density and overall bone health. A deficiency in this mineral can contribute to reduced bone mass and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Vitamin K and Other Bone-Supporting Nutrients

In addition to manganese, cloves also contain other nutrients beneficial for bone health, including vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for producing proteins required for bone formation and preventing bone fractures. While the amounts of these nutrients are not as high as manganese, they still contribute to the overall nutritional profile of cloves.

The Role of Eugenol and Antioxidants

Beyond basic nutrition, the primary active compound in cloves is eugenol, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation can have a detrimental effect on bone health, accelerating bone loss. The compounds in cloves, including eugenol, can help mitigate this process.

Combating Oxidative Stress: Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage, including to bone tissue. Eugenol's potent antioxidant effects help reduce this oxidative stress, safeguarding bones from damage.
Reducing Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of eugenol are well-documented. By reducing systemic inflammation, cloves can help manage conditions like arthritis, which often involve joint and bone pain.
Inhibiting Bone Resorption: Research indicates that eugenol can inhibit the formation of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. One study on macrophages showed that eugenol suppressed key pathways involved in osteoclast formation. This suggests that eugenol could potentially slow down bone loss.

Scientific Research on Cloves and Bone Health

While human research is limited, a significant animal study provides compelling evidence for the bone-preserving effects of clove extract. A 2011 study on rats with hypogonadal osteoporosis found that supplementation with a hydroalcoholic extract of dried clove buds had a significant bone-preserving effect.

Study Findings:

Increased Bone Density and Content: The study observed improvements in bone density and bone mineral content in the group receiving clove extract compared to the control group.
Enhanced Bone Tensile Strength: The extract also improved the bone's tensile strength, suggesting an overall increase in bone resilience.
Restored Biochemical Markers: Key biomarkers for osteoporosis, such as alkaline phosphatase (AP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), were significantly restored to healthier levels by the clove extract.

This animal model suggests that the eugenol and flavonoid-rich compounds in clove extract could effectively counteract bone loss, demonstrating its potential as a natural therapeutic agent against osteoporosis.

Comparison: Cloves vs. Other Bone-Supporting Spices


Feature	Cloves	Cinnamon	Turmeric
Key Bone Nutrient	Manganese, Vitamin K	Manganese	Magnesium, Potassium
Active Compound	Eugenol	Cinnamaldehyde	Curcumin
Mechanism for Bones	Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, possible osteoclast inhibition	Reduces bone breakdown	Protects against oxidative stress, has anti-inflammatory action
Primary Benefit	Supports bone formation and density, protects against oxidative stress	May prevent osteoporotic bone loss	Guards against cellular damage and bone loss

How to Incorporate Cloves into Your Diet

Incorporating cloves into your diet is a simple and delicious way to potentially reap their bone health benefits. Here are a few ways to use them:

Add to Tea: Brew whole cloves with your favorite herbal tea for a warm, fragrant beverage.
Spice up Meals: Use ground cloves in curries, stews, and roasted meat dishes.
Baking: Include ground cloves in baked goods like pumpkin pie, gingerbread, and spice cakes.
Flavorful Drinks: Add a few whole cloves to hot apple cider, mulled wine, or homemade chai.
As a Whole Spice: Add whole cloves to a pot of rice or soup for a subtle, aromatic flavor.

Potential Risks and Precautions

While generally safe in food amounts, there are some precautions to consider when using cloves, particularly in concentrated forms like essential oil or supplements.

Blood Thinning: Clove contains eugenol, which may slow blood clotting. Individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications should use caution.
Liver Damage: High doses of clove oil can be toxic to the liver. This is especially a concern for children.
Allergic Reactions: Topical application of clove oil can cause skin and gum irritation in some individuals.
Excessive Consumption: As with any potent spice, moderation is key. Consuming excessive amounts of cloves can lead to digestive issues like heartburn and nausea.

Conclusion

Based on available research, cloves appear to be good for your bones, primarily due to their high manganese content and the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of eugenol. Animal studies show promising results in protecting against bone loss, though more human trials are needed to confirm these effects. As part of a balanced diet, incorporating a modest amount of this spice can provide valuable nutrients and protective compounds for skeletal health. However, it is crucial to consume cloves in moderation and consult a healthcare provider before using them medicinally, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are on medication. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum Linn) extract rich in eugenol and eugenol derivatives shows bone-preserving efficacy against hypogonadal osteoporosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

While using cloves in cooking provides nutrients like manganese, the amounts are small. For more significant bone benefits, a balanced diet rich in a variety of bone-supporting nutrients like calcium and vitamin D is essential, along with the protective compounds found in cloves.

Concentrated clove extracts used in some studies are different from standard clove oil. It is not recommended to consume clove oil for bone health due to potential toxicity and side effects, especially for the liver. Stick to culinary uses of ground or whole cloves.

Early animal studies suggest that compounds in cloves may have a bone-preserving effect, potentially helping to prevent osteoporosis by inhibiting bone loss. However, human trials are still needed to confirm these effects, and cloves should not replace standard osteoporosis treatments.

Yes, eugenol in cloves has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Chewing cloves or consuming clove-infused tea can help reduce inflammation and ease pain associated with arthritis.

There is no official recommendation for daily clove intake for bone health. The World Health Organization suggests an acceptable daily intake of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight. As a spice, a small amount used daily is generally considered safe and beneficial.

In large medicinal quantities, cloves and clove oil can be unsafe. Side effects include potential blood thinning, digestive issues, and liver damage, especially in children. Always use in moderation and consult a doctor if you have concerns.

Both cloves and cinnamon contain bone-supporting minerals like manganese and have antioxidant properties. However, research indicates that the eugenol in cloves may specifically help inhibit bone resorption, while cinnamon has also been shown to help reduce bone breakdown.