What are the disadvantages of chewing cloves everyday?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, high concentrations of the compound eugenol found in cloves can be toxic and cause serious health issues. While a single clove might be beneficial, there are significant disadvantages of chewing cloves everyday, primarily due to the potential for excessive exposure to this potent compound.

Quick Summary

Chronic, excessive consumption of cloves can lead to a number of adverse effects, including liver damage, digestive problems, and an increased risk of bleeding due to blood-thinning properties. It can also cause severe oral irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals.

Key Points

Eugenol Toxicity: Excessive chewing delivers high doses of eugenol, a potent compound that can cause liver damage, especially in children and those with pre-existing conditions.
Increased Bleeding Risk: Eugenol acts as a blood thinner, and daily consumption can increase the risk of bleeding, particularly for those on anticoagulant medication or with bleeding disorders.
Gastrointestinal Distress: The high concentration of eugenol can irritate the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea.
Oral and Mucosal Irritation: While temporarily numbing, chronic chewing can cause a burning sensation, swelling, and damage to the gums and mouth lining.
Hypoglycemia Risk: For individuals with diabetes, regular, high intake of cloves can dangerously lower blood sugar levels when combined with medication.
Allergic Reactions: Some people may be sensitive to eugenol and develop allergic reactions, such as hives or contact dermatitis, from frequent exposure.
Moderation is Key: Occasional culinary use is generally safe and can offer benefits, but the risks associated with the daily, high-dose exposure from chewing are significant.

The Overdose Risk: Eugenol Toxicity

Cloves owe their potent aroma, flavor, and much of their medicinal properties to a compound called eugenol. While beneficial in small, controlled amounts, the concentration of eugenol increases significantly when cloves are chewed daily or consumed in high doses, such as in concentrated oils or supplements.

Liver Damage

Chronic and excessive intake of eugenol, especially via daily chewing, poses a risk of hepatotoxicity (liver damage). The liver is responsible for processing toxins in the body. When faced with a constant, high influx of eugenol, its function can become impaired, leading to a range of issues from elevated liver enzymes to more severe conditions like acute hepatic necrosis. Children are particularly vulnerable to eugenol poisoning from concentrated clove products, with even small oral doses having the potential to cause seizures and severe liver injury.

Digestive Issues

Chewing cloves daily can irritate the mucous membranes lining the gastrointestinal tract due to the potent eugenol content. This can manifest in several ways:

Heartburn and Acid Reflux: The irritation can increase stomach acid, leading to a burning sensation in the chest.
Nausea and Vomiting: A high concentration of the pungent compounds can trigger nausea and lead to an upset stomach.
Diarrhea: Chronic ingestion can disrupt the digestive system, causing diarrhea.

Oral and Skin Sensitivity

While clove oil is often used to relieve toothaches, direct and regular application of high eugenol levels from daily chewing can be counterproductive and even harmful.

Oral Mucosal Irritation: Chronic chewing can lead to irritation, swelling, burning, and even ulcers in the mouth and on the gums.
Dental Damage: Direct contact with concentrated eugenol can potentially damage dental tissues and tooth pulp over time.
Contact Dermatitis: Some individuals may develop allergic reactions or skin sensitivities to eugenol, which can appear as hives, redness, or swelling.

Increased Bleeding Risk

Eugenol has been shown to have blood-thinning properties, which can pose serious risks for certain individuals.

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulant Medications: Individuals taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel are at a much higher risk of excessive bleeding if they also consume cloves in medicinal or concentrated amounts.
Bleeding Disorders: People with pre-existing bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, should avoid regular clove consumption to prevent complications.

Pre-Surgery Precautions

Medical professionals advise stopping clove intake at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery or dental procedure due to its effect on blood clotting.

Hypoglycemia Risk for Diabetics

Several studies suggest that cloves may help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. However, for people with diabetes, this effect can be dangerous if not carefully monitored.

Potential for dangerously low blood sugar levels

Combining medicinal amounts of eugenol with insulin or other diabetes medications can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, leading to severe hypoglycemia. This is a critical consideration for those managing diabetes, as severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening.

Comparison: Daily Chewing vs. Occasional Use


Feature	Daily Chewing (High Dose)	Occasional Use (Culinary Dose)
Eugenol Concentration	Very high, especially if held in the mouth	Very low, dispersed in food
Liver Risk	Elevated risk of hepatotoxicity and damage	Negligible risk for most individuals
Digestive Impact	High risk of irritation, heartburn, nausea	Often aids digestion and prevents heartburn
Blood Clotting	Significant blood-thinning effect	Minor or negligible effect
Oral Health	Potential for mucosal irritation and damage	Acts as a natural antiseptic for bad breath and bacteria
Blood Sugar	Risk of hypoglycemia, especially with medication	May help regulate blood sugar in moderation

Conclusion

While cloves are celebrated for their medicinal properties and powerful flavor, the daily habit of chewing them exposes the body to excessively high levels of eugenol. This practice carries substantial health risks, including liver damage, aggravated digestive issues, and a dangerous interaction with blood-thinning medication. The potential for oral irritation and severe hypoglycemia in diabetic individuals further highlights the dangers of chronic, high-dose consumption. For most people, enjoying cloves as a culinary spice in moderation is a safe and beneficial way to enjoy their flavor and properties. Anyone considering medicinal use should first consult a healthcare professional to ensure safety, especially those with pre-existing conditions.

Additional Considerations and Safe Practices

For those who enjoy cloves, moderation is key. Adding whole or ground cloves to recipes or brewing a mild clove tea is a safer way to consume the spice. Clove oil and concentrated extracts should be used with extreme caution and only under medical supervision. The risks of daily chewing far outweigh the purported benefits, and awareness of the potential negative consequences is crucial for making informed health decisions.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for specific health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, excessive or daily chewing of cloves can lead to liver damage due to the high concentration of the active compound, eugenol. The liver metabolizes this compound, and an overload can cause toxicity, especially in children or people with existing liver conditions.

Cloves can influence blood sugar levels by acting similar to insulin, potentially lowering blood glucose. This can be dangerous for individuals with diabetes, as it could lead to hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, especially when combined with medication.

No, it is not safe to chew cloves if you are on blood-thinning medication. The eugenol in cloves has blood-thinning properties, and combining it with anticoagulants can significantly increase the risk of bleeding.

Yes, daily chewing of cloves can cause digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. The high concentration of eugenol can irritate the stomach lining and disrupt normal digestive function.

While often used for oral pain, the potent eugenol in high concentrations from daily chewing can irritate and damage oral tissues. This can cause a burning sensation, swelling, and lead to ulcers on the gums and in the mouth.

An allergic reaction to cloves or eugenol can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling of the face or mouth, and contact dermatitis, which is a skin rash with itching and redness.

Yes, consuming cloves in a tea is safer than chewing them daily, as it provides a much lower, more diluted concentration of eugenol. This allows you to receive some benefits without the high risk of toxicity associated with chewing a raw clove.