Is it better to drink clove tea at night or morning?: A guide to optimal timing

October 16, 2025 •

3 min read

With its rich content of antioxidants and eugenol, clove tea offers a wide array of health benefits. However, when seeking specific advantages like improved digestion or better sleep, many ask: Is it better to drink clove tea at night or morning?

Quick Summary

The ideal time to drink clove tea depends on your desired outcome. The morning is beneficial for boosting metabolism and kickstarting digestion, while the evening is better for promoting relaxation, supporting sleep, and nighttime recovery.

Key Points

Morning for Metabolism: Drink clove tea in the morning to stimulate digestive enzymes and boost your metabolic rate for the day ahead.
Night for Relaxation: Enjoy a cup at night to leverage its mild sedative effects, which can help reduce stress and promote restful sleep.
Supports Digestion Post-Meal: Consuming clove tea after meals, whether lunch or dinner, can help alleviate bloating, gas, and overall digestive discomfort.
Rich in Antioxidants: Cloves are abundant in antioxidants like eugenol, which provide immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits at any time of day.
Moderation is Key: Drink clove tea in moderation (1-2 cups per day) to avoid potential side effects from excessive intake, especially concerning liver health.
Oral Health Benefits: A morning cup is particularly effective for improving oral hygiene, as clove's antibacterial properties fight mouth bacteria and freshen breath.

The centuries-old practice of brewing clove tea taps into the potent medicinal properties of the Syzgium aromaticum flower buds. While the tea's warming, aromatic flavor is a delightful experience anytime, strategically timing your intake can amplify specific health benefits. The decision of whether to drink it in the morning or at night largely depends on your personal wellness goals, from optimizing digestive function to enhancing sleep quality.

Clove Tea in the Morning: A Metabolic Wake-Up Call

Starting your day with a warm cup of clove tea can prime your body for the day ahead, offering several key benefits, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. It can boost digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, fight oral bacteria, kickstart metabolism, and provide antioxidant support.

Clove Tea at Night: Promoting Relaxation and Recovery

For those seeking calm and restorative rest, an evening cup of clove tea offers a different set of advantages. It may enhance sleep quality through mild sedative effects and a calming aroma, aid nighttime digestion, support liver detoxification, and reduce inflammation and pain that can interfere with sleep.

Comparison: Morning vs. Night Clove Tea


Goal	Best Time to Drink	Primary Benefit	How it Works
Energy & Metabolism Boost	Morning	Increased metabolic rate and better energy levels.	Eugenol helps the body process food more efficiently throughout the day.
Improved Digestion (All Day)	Morning	Smoother digestion, less bloating and gas.	Stimulates digestive enzymes, preparing your gut for daily food intake.
Enhanced Oral Health	Morning	Fresher breath and reduced oral bacteria.	Fights bacteria buildup from overnight and starts the day with antimicrobial action.
Relaxation & Sleep	Night	Easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.	Acts as a mild sedative and reduces stress and anxiety.
Pain & Inflammation Relief	Night	Soothed muscles, joints, and headaches.	Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties provide relief while resting.
Nighttime Digestive Ease	Night	Prevents bloating and indigestion after evening meals.	Calms the digestive tract for a more comfortable rest.
Liver Support	Night	Aides the body's natural detoxification cycle.	Stimulates liver enzymes to help with toxin breakdown overnight.

How to Make Clove Tea

Preparing clove tea is simple, whether you prefer a quick infusion or a more concentrated brew.

Basic Clove Tea: Bring a cup of water to a boil. Add 2-3 whole cloves and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain the cloves and enjoy. You can add a squeeze of lemon or a dash of honey for flavor.
Overnight Infusion: For a milder taste, soak 2-3 cloves in a glass of water overnight and drink it in the morning.

Important Considerations

While generally safe, it is important to practice moderation and be mindful of potential side effects. Excessive consumption of concentrated clove preparations can potentially cause digestive upset or, in very high doses, liver toxicity due to its potent compounds. As with any herbal remedy, it's wise to start with a small amount and observe how your body reacts. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on blood-thinning medications should consult a healthcare professional before incorporating clove tea into their routine.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice of when to drink clove tea is not a matter of one being inherently better than the other, but rather aligning the time of day with your desired health outcome. A morning cup can serve as a robust, digestion-boosting ritual, while a nighttime brew can be a calming and restorative practice. The versatility of clove tea allows it to be a beneficial addition to your wellness routine at any time. By understanding the distinct benefits offered at different times of the day, you can customize your intake to best support your personal health goals. For further information on the nutritional properties of cloves, explore sources from reliable health authorities such as Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

While not a direct solution for weight loss, clove tea can support a weight management regimen. It may boost metabolism and aid digestion, which are both crucial for healthy weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

In moderate amounts, clove tea is generally safe. However, excessive consumption, especially of highly concentrated forms like clove oil, can lead to side effects such as digestive discomfort or, in rare cases, liver damage due to high levels of eugenol.

To make clove tea, simply bring one cup of water to a boil. Add 2-3 whole cloves, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain the liquid to remove the cloves before drinking. Optional additions include honey or a slice of lemon.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before drinking clove tea. Due to a lack of research on its effects in these situations, excessive intake is not recommended.

Yes, many people drink clove tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to kickstart their digestion and metabolism. This is a traditional practice aimed at maximizing its digestive benefits.

Clove tea can promote better sleep due to its mild sedative and calming properties. The soothing aroma and the warmth of the tea help relax the mind and body, easing stress and anxiety that can interfere with sleep.

Eugenol is the primary active compound found in cloves. It is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent responsible for many of clove's health benefits, including pain relief, fighting bacteria, and reducing oxidative stress.