What happens if you drink clove water every day?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Cloves are one of the richest natural sources of antioxidants, with their powerful phenolic compounds like eugenol. So, what happens if you drink clove water every day? While moderate, short-term use may offer benefits, habitual daily consumption can introduce potential risks that should not be overlooked.

Quick Summary

Daily consumption of clove water can offer modest health benefits like enhanced digestion and antioxidant support. However, excessive or prolonged intake poses risks, particularly for liver health and blood sugar regulation, primarily due to the potent compound eugenol.

Key Points

Moderation is Vital: While moderate intake of clove water may offer benefits, consuming it daily in large amounts poses significant health risks.
Eugenol is the Key Compound: The health effects, both positive and negative, are primarily attributed to eugenol, an antioxidant and active component in cloves.
Watch for Medication Interactions: Clove water has blood-thinning properties and can dangerously interact with anticoagulants and diabetic medications.
Liver Health Concerns: Excessive intake of eugenol, especially from concentrated sources, can cause liver damage, and daily consumption could pose a risk for those with liver conditions.
Differentiate Water from Oil: Clove essential oil is far more potent and toxic than clove water and should not be ingested.
Scientific Evidence is Often Limited: Many claims of significant benefits are based on studies using concentrated extracts or animal models, not mild clove water infusions.
Consult a Doctor First: Anyone with pre-existing health conditions, or who is pregnant or breastfeeding, should consult a healthcare professional before making clove water a daily habit.

The Allure and Nuance of Clove Water

Clove water, a simple infusion made by steeping whole cloves in water, has gained traction in wellness circles for its purported health-boosting properties. The appeal lies in cloves' rich history in traditional medicine and their high concentration of active compounds, most notably eugenol. Before incorporating this daily habit, it is crucial to understand the scientific context, acknowledging that many studies showing positive effects use concentrated extracts, not the milder water infusion. The impact of consistent, long-term consumption of clove water—particularly the risks—is less understood and requires caution.

The Potential Benefits of Daily Clove Water

When consumed in moderation, clove water offers several health advantages attributed to its components. The infusion provides a gentler way to absorb these compounds compared to concentrated oils, which are far more potent and risky.

Aids Digestion: Clove water has long been a traditional remedy for digestive complaints. It can stimulate digestive enzymes, which aids in the efficient breakdown of food and helps alleviate common issues such as gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Boosts Antioxidant Intake: Cloves are packed with antioxidants that combat free radicals in the body. This cellular protection helps reduce oxidative stress, which can lower the risk of chronic diseases over time.
Provides Anti-Inflammatory Support: The eugenol in cloves is a well-documented anti-inflammatory agent. Regular, moderate intake of clove water may help reduce overall inflammation in the body, potentially benefiting conditions like arthritis.
Supports Oral Health: Due to its natural antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, rinsing or drinking clove water can help combat oral bacteria. This can contribute to fresher breath and may support overall gum and dental health.
Contributes to Skin Health: Clove water can assist the body's detoxification processes by supporting liver function. This, in turn, may help clear the skin of blemishes and acne caused by metabolic waste.

The Serious Risks and Side Effects of Daily Consumption

While the benefits are attractive, the risks of drinking clove water every day, especially in excess, cannot be ignored. The potential for side effects is primarily linked to the high concentration of eugenol.

Liver Toxicity: Excessive intake of eugenol, particularly from concentrated clove oil, can be toxic to the liver. While a water infusion contains much less eugenol, prolonged and excessive daily consumption could potentially strain the liver, particularly in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions.
Blood-Thinning Effects: Eugenol possesses blood-thinning properties and can interfere with the body's clotting process. This is a significant risk for individuals on anticoagulant medications like warfarin or for those preparing for surgery.
Hypoglycemia: Cloves may lower blood sugar levels. For diabetics already on medication, consuming clove water daily could lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Monitoring blood sugar closely is essential.
Digestive Irritation: While low doses aid digestion, too much eugenol can irritate the stomach lining, potentially causing nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea in sensitive individuals.
Allergic Reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to cloves, which can manifest as skin rashes, itching, or difficulty breathing. Mouth and gum irritation can also occur from over-exposure.

Clove Water vs. Clove Essential Oil: A Critical Distinction

It is vital to distinguish between a mild clove water infusion and concentrated clove essential oil. Clove essential oil contains a significantly higher concentration of eugenol and is highly toxic if ingested in large quantities. Accidental overdose, especially in children, can lead to severe liver damage, seizures, and even coma. The therapeutic properties associated with cloves are often studied using these potent extracts, which can lead to misleading claims about the effects of a simple water infusion. It is important to remember that a daily cup of clove water does not deliver the same effect, good or bad, as a medical-grade extract.

Who Should Exercise Caution?

Certain groups should be particularly cautious or avoid drinking clove water daily:

Individuals on Blood Thinners: As mentioned, the blood-thinning properties can interact with medications like warfarin.
Diabetics on Medication: The risk of hypoglycemia makes daily consumption dangerous without strict medical supervision.
Individuals with Liver Conditions: Those with pre-existing liver disease should avoid daily clove water to prevent further strain.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: There is insufficient evidence on the safety of concentrated clove intake during pregnancy or lactation.
Children: High doses, particularly of the potent essential oil, can be toxic to children.

Daily Clove Water: Benefits vs. Risks Comparison


Aspect	Potential Benefits (Moderate Intake)	Potential Risks (Daily/Excessive Intake)
Digestion	Stimulates digestive enzymes, reduces bloating and gas.	Can cause stomach irritation, nausea, or heartburn.
Antioxidants	Combats free radicals, reduces oxidative stress.	Excessive eugenol can be pro-oxidant at high concentrations.
Inflammation	Mild anti-inflammatory effects due to eugenol.	Potential for allergic reactions causing skin or gum inflammation.
Cardiovascular	Antithrombotic properties, may help prevent blood clots.	Blood-thinning effects can interact dangerously with medications like warfarin.
Blood Sugar	May help regulate blood glucose levels.	Can cause severe hypoglycemia in diabetics.
Liver Health	May offer protective effects against damage.	Excessive eugenol is potentially hepatotoxic, especially with pre-existing conditions.

Conclusion

Drinking clove water every day can potentially offer some health benefits, primarily due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of eugenol. These include improved digestion, immune support, and better skin health. However, the key takeaway is that moderation is crucial. The potency of cloves means that excessive or prolonged daily intake carries notable risks, including potential liver toxicity, dangerous interactions with certain medications, and hypoglycemic episodes. It is important to view clove water not as a miracle cure but as a supplement to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and only after consulting with a healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are on medication. For further information on the potential risks of eugenol, an authoritative source is the NIH LiverTox entry on Eugenol.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not recommended to drink clove water every day, especially in high doses. While moderate, short-term intake is generally safe for most healthy individuals, daily and excessive consumption can lead to side effects like liver strain and interactions with medications.

The main risks include potential liver toxicity due to the compound eugenol, dangerous interactions with blood-thinning medications, risk of hypoglycemia for diabetics, and gastrointestinal irritation from excessive intake.

Cloves have properties that can lower blood glucose levels. While this may aid regulation in some, it poses a significant risk for diabetics on medication, as it could cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Individuals taking blood thinners, those with diabetes on medication, people with pre-existing liver conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children should avoid or be extremely cautious with clove water.

To make a safe infusion, boil one cup of water, add 1-2 whole cloves, and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain the water and let it cool before drinking. Limit consumption to a small amount and not on a daily, long-term basis.

No, they are vastly different. Clove water is a mild infusion, while clove essential oil is a highly concentrated and potent extract. Essential oil is toxic if ingested and can cause severe side effects, including liver damage.

Some research suggests that cloves may aid digestion and boost metabolism, potentially supporting weight management. However, it is not a cure-all and must be combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Excessive consumption for weight loss is not recommended due to associated risks.