What is the Medical Name for Cloves?

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands, the dried flower buds commonly known as cloves have been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries. The medical name for cloves is Syzygium aromaticum, and this botanical classification reveals its connection to a rich history of pharmacological use. Its potent therapeutic properties are largely attributed to the compound eugenol.

Quick Summary

The medical and scientific name for cloves is Syzygium aromaticum. This article explores the pharmacological basis for its medicinal uses, its primary bioactive compounds, and traditional applications in herbal and modern medicine.

Key Points

Medical Name: The official scientific and medical name for cloves is Syzygium aromaticum.
Active Compound: The primary bioactive component responsible for clove's medicinal properties is eugenol, a potent antioxidant and anesthetic.
Analgesic Effects: Due to its eugenol content, clove oil is a natural analgesic often used topically for toothache and oral pain relief.
Antimicrobial Action: Clove extracts have shown effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of various bacteria and fungi.
Powerful Antioxidant: Research indicates that eugenol is a highly effective antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and combat free radical damage.
Use with Caution: Concentrated clove oil can be toxic, particularly for children, and may interfere with certain medications like blood thinners.

Understanding the Medical Name: Syzygium Aromaticum

In the scientific community, the botanical name Syzygium aromaticum is used to formally identify the clove tree and its aromatic flower buds. This name is part of a standardized system, which helps researchers and medical professionals across the globe to refer to the same species without confusion. The Latin origin of the name also provides insight into the plant's characteristics; aromaticum literally means 'aromatic' or 'fragrant,' a nod to the spice's defining trait. The clove tree belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), which also includes other well-known medicinal plants like eucalyptus and guava.

The Bioactive Component: Eugenol

While Syzygium aromaticum is the plant's medical name, its powerful therapeutic effects are driven by a specific chemical compound: eugenol. Eugenol is a phenylpropanoid compound and the main constituent of clove essential oil, making up approximately 70-90% of its volume.

Key functions of eugenol include:

Analgesic and Anesthetic: Eugenol has natural pain-relieving and numbing effects. This property has led to its long-standing use in dentistry for managing toothaches and oral pain.
Antimicrobial and Antiseptic: Studies have shown that eugenol can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, making clove oil an effective antiseptic.
Antioxidant: Eugenol is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the body from oxidative stress, a process that contributes to chronic disease.
Anti-inflammatory: It exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by modulating inflammatory responses in the body.

Comparison of Clove Extracts

Different preparations of clove can be used for medicinal purposes, each with varying concentrations of active compounds and applications. The table below compares the common forms of medicinal clove preparations.


Feature	Dried Flower Buds (Whole Clove)	Clove Essential Oil	Clove Water/Tea
Preparation	Whole, dried buds from the Syzygium aromaticum tree.	Concentrated oil extracted via distillation from the buds, stems, or leaves.	Infusion made by boiling or steeping whole cloves in water.
Eugenol Concentration	Variable, significantly lower than the concentrated oil form.	Highly concentrated, typically 70-90% eugenol.	Minimal and variable, depends on steeping time and temperature.
Common Use	Culinary spice, traditional remedies like chewing for breath.	Topical application for toothaches, antiseptic, aromatherapy.	Digestive aid, hydration, general wellness.
Effectiveness	Mild effects for general health and digestion.	Very potent and fast-acting for specific, localized issues (e.g., pain).	Supports overall health, but with less potent effects than oil.
Caution	Generally safe in small, culinary amounts.	Can be toxic in high doses; should not be ingested or used without caution, especially by children.	Generally considered safe when consumed in moderation.

The Historical and Modern Uses of Cloves

Historically, cloves have been prized for their medicinal properties across various cultures. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, they were used to treat a wide range of ailments, including digestive issues like nausea and stomach pain. The analgesic properties were also widely known, as people would chew cloves to soothe toothaches.

Today, modern research continues to explore and validate many of these traditional uses. The antimicrobial effects have been studied in dental applications, confirming that clove extract can inhibit bacteria associated with gum disease. The potent antioxidant effects of eugenol have garnered significant scientific attention for their potential role in combating diseases linked to oxidative stress.

Cautions and Considerations

While cloves and their extracts offer numerous potential benefits, they are not without risks, especially in concentrated forms. High doses of clove oil, for instance, can be toxic and may cause severe side effects such as seizures and liver damage, particularly in children. Individuals with certain health conditions, like bleeding disorders or liver disease, should exercise caution or avoid concentrated clove products altogether due to the compound's effect on blood clotting and the liver. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using high-potency herbal supplements.

Conclusion

In summary, the medical name for cloves is Syzygium aromaticum. This powerful plant-based medicine owes its efficacy to a high concentration of the active compound eugenol, which offers notable analgesic, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. While its traditional use is extensive, and modern science continues to uncover its benefits, caution is necessary, especially with concentrated preparations. As with any potent natural remedy, understanding its scientific basis and potential side effects is key to safe and effective use. The distinction between the dried spice, the concentrated oil, and milder infusions is crucial for therapeutic application. For more information on the research surrounding Syzygium aromaticum and eugenol, review the studies available on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The scientific or botanical name for the clove plant is Syzygium aromaticum.

Concentrated clove oil, which is high in eugenol, is not safe to ingest in large quantities. Even small amounts can cause serious side effects, especially in children, including liver damage and seizures.

Clove oil is effective for toothache relief due to its eugenol content, which has natural analgesic and anesthetic properties. It works by numbing the area and providing temporary pain relief.

Some studies suggest that compounds in cloves may help regulate blood sugar levels. However, more human research is needed, and individuals with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar closely as cloves can potentially cause blood sugar levels to drop too low when combined with medication.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. Eugenol is the primary active chemical compound found within cloves that is responsible for many of its medicinal properties.

Yes, cloves are rich in antioxidants, with the compound eugenol being a particularly powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Yes, eugenol has been shown to slow down blood clotting. This means that individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications should use caution with concentrated clove products.