Understanding When Not to Drink Cloves: A Guide to Safe Clove Consumption

October 16, 2025 •

3 min read

While cloves are a popular spice with potential benefits, concentrated forms like clove oil can be toxic if ingested, with even small amounts causing liver damage or seizures in children. This makes understanding when not to drink cloves critically important for personal safety and wellness, especially for vulnerable populations and those with certain health conditions.

Quick Summary

It is not safe to drink concentrated clove preparations in certain situations. Avoid cloves in medicinal amounts if pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners, diabetic, or with liver disease due to increased health risks.

Key Points

Blood Thinners and Bleeding Disorders: Avoid concentrated clove preparations if on blood thinners or with bleeding disorders due to eugenol's blood-thinning effects.
Diabetes Management: Do not consume high doses of cloves if diabetic, as it can cause dangerous hypoglycemia.
Pregnancy and Lactation: Avoid medicinal doses of cloves during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data and potential uterine stimulation.
Children's Health: Never give concentrated clove oil to children as it is highly toxic and can cause liver damage and seizures.
Pre-Surgery Precautions: Stop clove supplements at least two weeks before surgery due to effects on blood clotting.
Liver Condition: Exercise caution with clove consumption, especially concentrated forms, if you have liver disease, as high doses can be hepatotoxic.

Cloves, derived from the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, are commonly used as a spice and in traditional medicine. While culinary use is generally safe, consuming concentrated forms like essential oils or large quantities of herbal teas can pose risks due to high levels of eugenol. This is particularly important for individuals with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications.

Blood Clotting Disorders and Anticoagulant Medication

Eugenol in cloves can act as a blood thinner, interfering with blood clotting. Those with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant medications should be cautious, as concentrated clove intake can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. It is advisable to discontinue clove supplements at least two weeks before surgery.

Diabetes and Hypoglycemia

People with diabetes should use cloves with caution. While some studies suggest cloves may help lower blood sugar, excessive amounts can be dangerous. High-dose clove consumption can lead to hypoglycemia, especially in those using antidiabetes medications. If using cloves in moderation as a spice, monitoring blood sugar is recommended.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Due to insufficient safety data, concentrated clove products are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. While culinary use is considered safe, medicinal quantities are not. Some sources suggest concentrated clove oil may stimulate uterine contractions.

Liver Disease

Despite some research indicating potential liver-protective effects, high doses of eugenol can be toxic to the liver. Individuals with liver disease are at higher risk. Ingesting clove oil is particularly dangerous and should be avoided by those with liver conditions.

High Doses and Essential Oil Toxicity

Clove oil is not safe for internal consumption. Even small amounts can cause serious issues, including liver damage, seizures, and central nervous system depression, particularly in children. Children are highly susceptible to eugenol toxicity.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to cloves can occur, ranging from mild skin irritation to severe anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include rashes, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Individuals with allergies to related plants may be more sensitive.

Clove Preparation: Spice vs. Concentrate

The risks associated with cloves depend on the form consumed. Culinary cloves have low eugenol concentration and are generally safe, while concentrated forms like oils and supplements have high eugenol levels and can be toxic. Concentrated forms also carry a higher risk of drug interactions and are generally not recommended during pregnancy or for children.


Feature	Culinary Cloves (as a Spice)	Concentrated Clove (Oil, Supplements)
Eugenol Concentration	Low and considered safe for most people	Very high, leading to potential toxicity
Safety for Ingestion	Generally recognized as safe in small amounts in food	Not safe for oral consumption; can be highly toxic
Drug Interactions	Unlikely to cause significant issues at food levels	High risk of interacting with blood thinners and diabetes medication
Use in Pregnancy	Considered safe when used in typical food amounts	Avoid due to insufficient safety data and potential for uterine stimulation
Use in Children	Safe for children in food quantities	Unsafe for ingestion by children due to high toxicity

Conclusion: Consult a Healthcare Professional

While cloves can enhance flavor, moderation is crucial, especially with concentrated forms. Be mindful of contraindications, particularly regarding bleeding disorders, diabetes, and pregnancy. Always consult a healthcare provider before using clove supplements or essential oil, especially with underlying health conditions or medications. They can provide personalized advice for safe and effective use.

When To Consider Using Cloves Safely

Culinary Use: Use cloves as a spice in cooking.
Topical Application: Apply properly diluted clove oil externally after a patch test.
Post-Operative Recovery: Wait two weeks after surgery before using clove supplements.
Hypoglycemia Management: Avoid high-dose clove products if managing diabetes or prone to low blood sugar.
Liver Support: Consult a physician if you have liver conditions before using cloves, especially concentrated forms.
Infections: Use clove preparations under medical guidance for their antimicrobial properties.
Dental Pain (Topical Only): Use commercial products with clove oil topically for temporary relief.

The Health Risks of Excessive Clove Consumption

Bleeding Issues: Eugenol's blood-thinning effect can increase bleeding risk, particularly with blood thinners or bleeding disorders.
Hypoglycemia: Overconsumption can dangerously lower blood sugar, especially in diabetic individuals.
Gastrointestinal Upset: Cloves can irritate the digestive tract.
Liver Toxicity: High doses of eugenol can cause liver damage, a risk for children and those with pre-existing liver issues.
Allergic Reactions: Sensitivity can lead to allergic reactions.
Uterine Stimulation: Concentrated intake may risk inducing contractions during pregnancy.
Seizures: Overdose on clove oil, especially in children, can cause seizures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Individuals with bleeding disorders, those on anticoagulant medication, people with diabetes, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children should avoid consuming clove water, especially in concentrated forms.

Yes, ingesting concentrated clove oil is highly toxic and can cause severe liver and kidney damage, particularly in children. The risk is also present for adults in high doses.

While using cloves as a spice in food is generally considered safe during pregnancy, there is not enough reliable information on the safety of drinking clove tea or taking supplements in larger, medicinal amounts. It is best to stick to food amounts or consult a healthcare provider.

Yes, cloves contain eugenol, which has blood-thinning properties. Taking clove supplements or drinking concentrated clove preparations can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.

Even small amounts of ingested clove oil can be toxic to children, causing severe side effects like liver damage, seizures, and fluid imbalances. The high concentration of eugenol is the primary concern.

Diabetic individuals should be very cautious. While some suggest benefits, excessive consumption of clove water can lower blood sugar too much, leading to dangerous hypoglycemia, especially when on diabetes medication.

Yes, because of its blood-thinning effects, you should stop using clove products, including supplements and concentrated teas, at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery or dental work.