How to eat cloves safely? A complete guide

November 19, 2025 •

5 min read

Cloves, the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Learning how to eat cloves safely involves understanding proper preparations and potential side effects to maximize their health benefits while minimizing risks.

Quick Summary

This guide provides essential information on the safe consumption of cloves, covering moderate daily intake, proper preparation methods for whole and ground forms, and important precautions for vulnerable groups. It also explains how to avoid toxicity from concentrated clove oil and what health conditions require extra caution.

Key Points

Moderation is Key: Stick to small, culinary amounts to avoid negative side effects, as excessive intake can be harmful.
Avoid Concentrated Oil: Never ingest concentrated clove essential oil, as it is highly toxic and can cause severe liver damage and seizures, especially in children.
Proper Preparation: Soften whole cloves by cooking or soaking if you plan to eat them whole, or use them to infuse flavor in stews and beverages before removal.
Use Ground Cloves Wisely: Grind cloves fresh for maximum potency in baking and spice rubs, but remember they lose flavor faster than whole cloves.
Be Cautious with Health Conditions: Individuals with diabetes, bleeding disorders, or liver disease, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should consult a doctor before increasing clove intake.
Know the Form: Understand the difference between whole cloves for infusing and ground cloves for baking, and the extreme danger of ingesting concentrated essential oil.
Consider Alternatives for Relief: For topical pain relief like toothaches, use properly diluted clove oil on a cotton swab and avoid swallowing it.

Understanding the safe limits of clove consumption

While cloves are a potent spice with numerous health benefits, moderation is key to avoiding adverse effects. The primary active compound, eugenol, is responsible for both the therapeutic effects and potential toxicity if consumed in excessive amounts. According to the World Health Organization, there is an acceptable daily intake quantity for cloves. For the average healthy adult, this generally translates to a moderate daily intake. Listening to your body and starting with a smaller amount is always a safe approach.

Preparing cloves for consumption

Cloves can be incorporated into your diet in various forms, each with its own preparation method. Proper preparation can help make them more palatable and easier to digest.

Whole Cloves: Can be added directly to stews, soups, and rice dishes to infuse flavor. They are typically removed before serving, similar to a bay leaf, but can be softened through soaking or cooking if you intend to chew and consume them. To soften, soak whole cloves in a small amount of water before adding them to a smoothie or tea.
Ground Cloves: A more versatile option for cooking and baking. Since ground cloves lose their potency faster, it's best to grind them fresh just before use using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add a pinch to baked goods, curries, or savory meat rubs.
Clove Tea: A soothing and effective way to consume cloves. To make, simply steep a few whole cloves or a small amount of ground cloves in hot water for several minutes.

Important precautions for vulnerable populations

Certain individuals should exercise extra caution or avoid cloves entirely due to potential health risks.

Children: Clove oil, especially in concentrated form, is toxic to young children and has been linked to severe side effects like seizures and liver damage. A small pinch of ground clove in food is generally safe, but any medicinal use should be avoided.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: While culinary amounts of cloves are typically safe, the effects of larger, medicinal doses are not well-studied. It is recommended to avoid clove supplements and concentrated clove products during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Individuals on Blood Thinners: The eugenol in cloves can slow blood clotting. Anyone taking anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin or aspirin, should consult a doctor before increasing their clove intake, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
People with Diabetes: Cloves have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. While this can be beneficial, those on diabetes medication should monitor their blood sugar closely when increasing clove consumption to prevent hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping too low).

Comparison: Whole Cloves vs. Ground Cloves


Feature	Whole Cloves	Ground Cloves
Flavor Release	Gradual and sustained during cooking or steeping.	Immediate and potent, distributes throughout the dish.
Storage Life	Retain freshness for longer, up to 3-4 years.	Loses potency faster, typically after 6-12 months.
Best Use	Infusing liquids (teas, wine, broths), stews, braises, pickling, and studding meats like ham.	Baking (pies, cakes), rubs, spice blends, sauces, and quick applications.
Ease of Use	Must be removed from the dish before serving. Can be chewed when softened.	Easy to measure and incorporate into recipes for uniform flavor.
Intensity	Concentrated and potent in areas where they are placed.	Less intense in flavor than whole cloves when used in equal measure.

Safe culinary uses of cloves

Beyond simply adding flavor, cloves can be used in creative and safe ways in the kitchen. For dental pain relief, clove oil can be used topically after being diluted with a carrier oil, but should not be swallowed. A simple homemade mouthwash can be made by infusing cloves in warm water.

Recipes for safe clove consumption

Clove and Ginger Tea: Add whole cloves and a few thin slices of ginger to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for several minutes. This is a comforting and digestive-friendly beverage.
Spiced Rice: When cooking rice, add whole cloves to the water before boiling. The subtle, warm flavor will infuse the rice. Remember to remove the whole cloves before eating.
Healthy Smoothie Boost: For a morning antioxidant boost, soak cloves in water overnight. Add the softened cloves and the water to your smoothie blender along with your regular ingredients.
Stovetop Air Freshener and Infusion: Simmer whole cloves with orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and water. This creates a pleasant aroma and can be used to make spiced liquids for mulled cider.
Baked Apples with Cloves: Stud apples with whole cloves before baking. The cloves will add a delicious spice to the apple's flavor.

The danger of concentrated clove oil

It is critical to distinguish between using cloves as a culinary spice and ingesting concentrated clove oil. While food-grade clove oil is generally safe in small, diluted amounts for flavor, swallowing pure clove essential oil is extremely dangerous. It contains a much higher concentration of eugenol and can be toxic, leading to severe liver damage, seizures, and other serious health issues, especially in children. Topical use of clove oil for toothaches requires proper dilution with a carrier oil to prevent gum irritation and chemical burns. For internal use, rely on natural clove buds or ground spice in moderate culinary amounts.

Conclusion

Eating cloves safely is a matter of practicing moderation and knowing the proper methods of consumption. By using whole or ground cloves in culinary amounts, you can enjoy their distinctive flavor and health benefits, such as improved digestion, immune support, and oral health, without risk. Avoid ingesting highly concentrated clove oil internally and consult a healthcare provider if you have pre-existing conditions like bleeding disorders or diabetes. With careful preparation and mindful consumption, cloves can be a healthy and flavorful addition to your diet.

Important: This information is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before using cloves for medicinal purposes, especially if you have existing health conditions or are on medication.

Here is a study on the effect of clove oil demonstrating the antimicrobial properties of clove extract.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a healthy adult, a moderate daily intake of whole cloves is generally considered safe. It is important to start with a smaller amount and listen to your body, as excessive intake of the compound eugenol can cause digestive issues or other side effects.

Yes, swallowing whole cloves is safe in moderation after they have been softened through cooking or soaking, as they have nutritional and medicinal properties. However, cloves have a very strong flavor and woody texture, so many prefer to remove them from dishes after they have infused their flavor.

While culinary amounts of food-grade clove oil are sometimes used for flavoring, it is very potent and should be used with extreme caution. Never ingest concentrated clove essential oil, as it is toxic and can cause severe liver damage.

Consuming too many cloves, especially in concentrated forms, can lead to side effects such as digestive issues, liver damage due to high eugenol intake, and may interact with blood-thinning medication.

Cloves contain eugenol, which acts as a natural anesthetic and antiseptic. For temporary relief of toothaches, apply a few drops of properly diluted clove oil (mixed with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil) to the affected area with a cotton swab.

Culinary amounts of cloves used as a spice in food are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, medicinal or supplemental doses are not recommended due to a lack of safety data.

It depends on the application. Whole cloves have a longer shelf life and are best for infusing liquids and slow-cooked dishes. Ground cloves are convenient for baking and rubs, but lose potency faster, so they should be ground fresh if possible.