What Happens If You Swallow Clove?

November 20, 2025 •

3 min read

Used for centuries in traditional and culinary applications, the clove is generally considered safe when consumed in small food amounts. However, accidentally swallowing clove, especially multiple buds or concentrated oil, can lead to adverse effects, including digestive upset and more severe systemic issues.

Quick Summary

A single, whole clove usually passes through the digestive system harmlessly, but large quantities can cause gastrointestinal distress. The concentration of eugenol, particularly in clove oil, poses a significant risk of toxicity and liver damage, especially in children, making it crucial to understand safe consumption limits and potential dangers.

Key Points

Single vs. Multiple Cloves: Swallowing one whole clove is generally harmless for adults, but consuming several may cause digestive upset.
Clove Oil is Highly Toxic: Ingesting clove essential oil is extremely dangerous due to its high eugenol concentration and can lead to severe organ damage, especially in children.
Watch for Symptoms: Key symptoms requiring medical attention include persistent vomiting, severe pain, and signs of an allergic reaction like hives or swelling.
Emergency for Children: If a child swallows clove oil, call poison control or emergency services immediately, even if they appear well.
Eugenol's Role: The primary compound, eugenol, is beneficial in small amounts but becomes cytotoxic in high doses, posing a risk to the liver.
Moderation is Key: Like all potent spices, cloves should be used sparingly in cooking and never consumed excessively in high concentrations.

Understanding the Clove and Its Active Compound

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. The powerful, pungent spice is prized for its flavor but also contains a highly concentrated compound called eugenol. Eugenol is responsible for many of clove's health benefits, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, the concentration of eugenol varies greatly depending on the form of the clove, which directly impacts the risks associated with swallowing it.

The Effect of Swallowing a Whole Clove

In most cases, swallowing a single whole clove is not considered an emergency for a healthy adult. The woody bud, while not easily digestible, is typically small enough to pass through the digestive tract without causing a blockage. You may not notice any effect at all, though some people report a mild burning sensation in the throat or stomach due to the potent eugenol. The body will likely pass the whole clove within a few days.

Potential Digestive Discomfort

While a single clove is often innocuous, ingesting multiple buds can increase the likelihood of digestive issues. The high concentration of natural compounds can irritate the stomach lining, potentially leading to:

Nausea
Heartburn
Diarrhea
General stomach pain

These symptoms are typically temporary and resolve on their own, but they serve as a reminder that moderation is key when consuming this potent spice.

The High Risk of Clove Oil Ingestion

It is vital to distinguish between swallowing whole cloves and ingesting clove essential oil. Clove oil is an extremely concentrated form of eugenol and is highly toxic when swallowed. Small amounts can cause severe health problems, especially in children. Ingesting clove oil can lead to a medical emergency with symptoms including:

Liver damage: Eugenol is a direct cytotoxin in high doses, and overdose can lead to acute liver necrosis.
Seizures: Clove oil overdose, especially in children, has been linked to seizures.
Respiratory issues: The concentrated oil can cause respiratory depression.
Central nervous system effects: Overdose can cause agitation, decreased consciousness, and even coma.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you or someone you know has swallowed cloves and begins to experience worrying symptoms, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice immediately. Always call your local emergency number or poison control center if a child ingests any amount of clove essential oil. For adults, consider seeking medical attention if you experience:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
Severe or persistent stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), which could indicate liver problems.
Any unusual or severe symptoms, especially after consuming a large quantity or clove oil.

Comparison: Whole Clove vs. Clove Oil Ingestion


Feature	Swallowing a Whole Clove (Single Bud)	Ingesting Clove Oil (Concentrated)
Toxicity Risk	Very Low	Extremely High
Eugenol Concentration	Low and released slowly	Very high, up to 95%
Common Effects	Often none, mild digestive irritation possible	Severe gastrointestinal, liver, and nervous system toxicity
Key Danger	Potential choking or minor stomach irritation	Acute liver failure, seizures, coma
Action for Adults	Monitor symptoms; drink water	Seek emergency medical help immediately
Action for Children	Monitor for symptoms; consult doctor if needed	Call poison control or emergency services immediately

Conclusion: Safety First with This Potent Spice

What happens if you swallow clove largely depends on the quantity and form of the spice consumed. A single, whole bud is unlikely to cause serious harm and will probably pass naturally through the system. However, ingesting multiple cloves can lead to significant gastrointestinal discomfort due to the concentrated eugenol. The most serious risk arises from swallowing clove essential oil, a highly toxic substance that requires immediate emergency medical care, especially if a child is involved. While cloves offer potential health benefits in moderation, understanding the risks and knowing when to act is paramount to ensuring safety when an accidental ingestion occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a healthy adult, swallowing one whole clove is generally not dangerous and it will likely pass through the digestive system harmlessly. It is not easily digested and may cause a mild, temporary burning sensation due to its potent compounds.

Consuming multiple whole cloves increases the risk of gastrointestinal irritation. Symptoms can include nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, or a general upset stomach, as the digestive tract reacts to the higher concentration of spicy compounds.

If a child swallows a whole clove, observe them for symptoms like gagging, vomiting, or stomach pain. If they remain asymptomatic, it should pass. However, if they have swallowed clove oil, seek emergency medical help immediately, as it is highly toxic to children.

The main difference is concentration. Clove oil contains a very high, potent concentration of eugenol, making it toxic and dangerous to ingest. A whole clove has a much lower concentration, and the active compounds are released slowly as it moves through the digestive tract.

Swallowing large amounts of highly concentrated clove oil can cause severe liver damage due to eugenol toxicity. Cases of liver injury have been reported after clove oil overdose, especially in children. Swallowing whole cloves in food amounts is not known to cause this risk.

Overdose symptoms, typically associated with ingesting clove oil, can include agitation, decreased consciousness, seizures, abdominal pain, liver failure, and breathing problems. Medical attention is required immediately for a suspected overdose.

People taking blood-thinning medications or those with a bleeding disorder should be cautious, as eugenol can slow blood clotting. It is also recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, consult a healthcare provider before increasing their clove intake.