Can Clove Reduce Creatinine Levels? Examining the Evidence

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, over 37 million American adults have kidney disease, driving interest in natural remedies. The question arises: can clove reduce creatinine levels, and is it a safe option for managing kidney function?

Quick Summary

Studies in animal models indicate clove extract may help lower creatinine and improve renal function due to its antioxidant properties. However, there is no reliable human evidence, and high doses pose a significant risk of toxicity and organ damage.

Key Points

Animal Studies Show Potential: Multiple studies on rats and mice indicate that clove extract can help lower creatinine and improve kidney markers, largely due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Human Data is Lacking: There is currently no robust clinical evidence or human trials to confirm that clove can effectively and safely reduce creatinine levels in people.
High Doses Are Toxic: Exceeding safe, culinary amounts, particularly when using concentrated clove oil, can lead to severe and potentially fatal organ damage, including harm to the liver and kidneys.
Eugenol is the Key Compound: The primary active component in clove, eugenol, has demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in animal models, but its safety profile at high concentrations is poor.
Self-Treatment is Dangerous: Due to the lack of human data and the risk of toxicity, self-medicating with clove or its derivatives for high creatinine is strongly discouraged and can be harmful.
Consult a Professional: The safest approach is to consult a doctor who can diagnose the underlying cause of elevated creatinine and recommend proven, safe management strategies.

Understanding Creatinine and Kidney Function

Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and excreted in urine. An elevated creatinine level in the blood is often a sign of impaired kidney function. While diet and muscle mass can influence baseline levels, a persistent increase indicates that the kidneys are not filtering waste effectively. This can signal underlying kidney disease or other health issues that require medical attention.

The Science Behind Clove and Kidneys

Research into clove's effects on kidney health has primarily been conducted using animal models. These studies, involving extracts and oil, have shown promising results in protecting kidney function under specific, controlled conditions. The key lies in clove's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, largely attributed to its primary active compound, eugenol.

The Role of Eugenol and Flavonoids

Clove is rich in bioactive compounds, with eugenol being the most prominent. Eugenol has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, which is a major contributor to kidney damage. By neutralizing harmful free radicals, clove extracts can help mitigate cellular damage in the kidneys. Some research also suggests that flavonoids in clove extract contribute to this protective effect by improving kidney function.

Key Animal Studies and Findings

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): A study on rats with folic acid-induced AKI found that clove water extract significantly restored creatinine, urea, and uric acid to near-normal levels. The extract reduced oxidative stress and improved kidney tissue histology, showing a protective effect.
Diabetic Nephropathy: Research on diabetic rats treated with clove syrup showed a dose-dependent effect. Moderate doses effectively decreased glucose, urea, and creatinine levels and even had a regenerative effect on damaged kidney cells. However, an excessively high dose was found to be toxic and increased these markers.
Hyperuricemia: Clove water extract has also been shown to alleviate hyperuricemia (high uric acid) and related renal injury in mice. It works by regulating renal transporters to increase uric acid excretion.

The Important Distinction: Animal vs. Human Research

While the findings from animal studies are compelling, it is critical to understand their limitations. Animal models use specific, concentrated extracts and tightly controlled doses, which do not translate directly to human safety or efficacy. The leap from a lab-based, toxicant-induced kidney injury in a rat to a human with chronic kidney disease is significant. There is currently a lack of human clinical trials to support the use of clove as a treatment for high creatinine.

The Risks and Dangers of Using Clove for Kidney Issues

Attempting to self-medicate with high doses of clove can be dangerous. The concentration of compounds in essential oils, supplements, and homemade remedies can vary dramatically, making it easy to consume a toxic amount.

Overdose Toxicity: Overconsumption of clove oil can lead to severe side effects, including liver damage, kidney injury, seizures, and respiratory failure. Case studies, particularly involving children, highlight the extreme toxicity of concentrated clove oil.
Bleeding Disorders: The eugenol in clove can slow blood clotting. Individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications should avoid high doses.
Organ Damage: While low, culinary doses are safe, animal studies show that excessive consumption can have toxic effects on the kidneys and liver. This underscores the fine line between therapeutic and toxic doses.

A Comparison of Clove Formulations

Understanding the differences between common clove products is crucial due to the significant variation in concentration and safety profile.


Feature	Whole Clove	Clove Powder	Clove Essential Oil
Concentration of Eugenol	Low	Low to Moderate	Extremely High (up to 95%)
Safety Profile	Generally safe in culinary amounts.	Safe in culinary amounts.	Highly concentrated and toxic in large doses.
Potential for Use in Research	N/A (not concentrated enough)	N/A (not standardized)	Frequently used, but precise doses are critical.
Use in Human Self-Treatment	Not effective for medicinal purposes.	Not effective for medicinal purposes.	Extremely Dangerous. Not for internal use.

How to Safely Approach Natural Remedies for Creatinine

If you have elevated creatinine, the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. Self-treating with herbal remedies can mask symptoms or, in the case of high-dose clove, cause further harm. Your doctor can help you create a comprehensive treatment plan that may include safer, evidence-based approaches. Here are some general, doctor-approved recommendations for supporting kidney health:

General Advice for Kidney Health

Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for kidney function. Your doctor can advise on the appropriate fluid intake for your specific condition.
Adjust Your Diet: Reduce protein-rich foods, especially red meat, which can temporarily increase creatinine levels. Increase your intake of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Control Blood Sugar: If you have diabetes, strict blood sugar control is vital for protecting your kidneys.
Avoid Overexertion: Intense exercise can temporarily increase creatinine production due to muscle breakdown.
Manage Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a major cause of kidney disease. Working with your doctor to manage it is critical.

Conclusion: Is Clove a Viable Remedy?

Based on the current evidence, the answer to "can clove reduce creatinine levels?" is complex. While promising results in animal models suggest a potential protective role, particularly due to its antioxidant properties, there is insufficient evidence to support its use as a treatment for humans. The significant risk of toxicity, especially with concentrated clove oil or supplements, makes self-medication highly dangerous. For anyone dealing with elevated creatinine, the safest and most effective path is to seek guidance from a medical professional for a proven and safe management plan.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or herbal supplement, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are taking medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not safe or recommended to use clove water as a treatment to lower creatinine. There is no human evidence to support this practice, and the concentration of active compounds can vary, posing a risk of toxicity.

The primary risk is toxicity. Consuming high doses of concentrated clove oil can cause severe side effects, including liver and kidney damage, seizures, and potentially coma.

Most of the available research on clove and creatinine levels has been conducted on animal models, such as rats and mice. There is a lack of reliable human clinical trials to confirm these effects.

Safer methods include working with a doctor on dietary modifications (reducing red meat, increasing fiber), ensuring proper hydration, and managing underlying conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Positive results in animal studies occur under controlled lab conditions using specific, measured extracts. These results are promising for research but do not guarantee the same outcome or safety profile in humans.

While culinary amounts of clove are generally safe, using it as a therapeutic remedy is not supported by human evidence. It's not effective for treating high creatinine and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.

Individuals with bleeding disorders, those taking anticoagulant medications, and anyone with existing liver or kidney disease should be especially cautious and avoid taking high doses of clove due to potential negative interactions and toxicity.