What's the best way to consume cloves for maximum health benefits?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Cloves boast one of the highest antioxidant powers among all spices, but their potent nature means knowing the right preparation method is crucial for safety and effectiveness. Understanding what's the best way to consume cloves allows you to harness these benefits for oral health, improved digestion, and reduced inflammation without overwhelming your system.

Quick Summary

An exploration of various methods to consume cloves, including making tea, chewing them whole, and incorporating them into cooking. This guide explains how each method offers unique benefits for oral hygiene, digestion, and systemic health, while emphasizing the importance of moderation.

Key Points

Tea is a Gentle Method: Clove tea is a mild, effective way to aid digestion and soothe coughs, made by simmering 1-2 whole cloves in water.
Chew for Oral Health: Chewing whole cloves releases eugenol, a natural antiseptic that can relieve toothaches, freshen breath, and fight oral bacteria.
Use Whole for Slow Cooking: For soups, stews, and broths, whole cloves offer a gradual flavor infusion and should be removed before serving.
Use Ground for Baking: Ground cloves provide an immediate and intense flavor, perfect for baked goods, spice rubs, and quick-cook meals.
Prioritize Moderation: Due to high eugenol content, avoid excessive consumption, especially of concentrated clove oil, to prevent digestive irritation and other side effects.
Use with Caution: Individuals taking blood thinners, children, and pregnant women should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before using cloves medicinally.

Methods for Incorporating Cloves into Your Diet

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum, renowned for their intense aroma and potent medicinal properties. The primary active compound, eugenol, provides powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but also necessitates careful consumption due to its strength. For beginners, starting with milder preparations is recommended to gauge your body's response.

Enjoy a Calming Cup of Clove Tea

One of the most gentle and effective ways to consume cloves is by making a warm, aromatic tea. This method infuses the water with cloves' beneficial compounds, offering a less concentrated dose than chewing or using oil. It is particularly beneficial for digestion and soothing coughs.

To make a simple clove tea:

Bring one cup of water to a boil.
Add 1–2 whole cloves to the water.
Simmer for 5–10 minutes to allow the flavor and properties to infuse.
Strain the tea to remove the cloves.
Sweeten with honey or add a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor if desired.

Freshen Breath and Aid Digestion by Chewing Whole Cloves

For targeted oral health benefits, chewing a whole clove is a time-honored practice. The eugenol released during chewing has natural antibacterial and numbing properties that can temporarily relieve toothaches, reduce gum inflammation, and fight odor-causing bacteria. It can also aid in stimulating digestive enzymes after meals.

Best practices for chewing cloves:

Place one whole clove in your mouth after a meal.
Gently chew it for a few minutes to release the essential oils.
Spit out the fibrous remains to avoid irritation from the woody texture.
Limit to 1–2 cloves per day to avoid excessive intake of eugenol.

Incorporate Cloves into Your Cooking

As a versatile kitchen spice, cloves can be used in both sweet and savory dishes to add warmth and depth. The form you use—whole or ground—depends largely on the cooking application and desired intensity.

Whole Cloves for Slow Cooking: Add whole cloves to broths, stews, and braises to allow their flavor to infuse gradually. They can also be used to stud hams, oranges, or onions for festive dishes.
Ground Cloves for Baking and Spice Blends: Ground cloves offer an immediate, potent burst of flavor, making them suitable for baking, spice rubs, and quick-cooking sauces. Use them sparingly, as they are much more concentrated than the whole form.

Clove-Infused Water: An All-Day Tonic

For those seeking a gentle, consistent intake, infusing drinking water with cloves is an excellent option. This method is especially popular for its potential benefits to digestion and overall hydration.

Combine 4–5 whole cloves with 1 liter of filtered water in a pitcher or jar.
Allow it to infuse for 8–12 hours, preferably overnight.
Drink the water chilled or at room temperature throughout the day.

Comparison: Whole vs. Ground Cloves


Feature	Whole Cloves	Ground Cloves
Flavor Release	Slow and gradual; ideal for long cooking times.	Immediate and intense; suitable for quick preparations.
Best For	Stews, soups, mulled drinks, studding meats.	Baking, spice rubs, curries, quick sauces.
Potency	Milder, more subtle infusion over time.	Stronger and more concentrated flavor, can easily overpower a dish.
Texture	Hard and woody; must be removed before serving.	Fine powder that integrates seamlessly into food.
Shelf Life	Retains potency for up to a year when stored correctly.	Flavors fade faster, typically within 3-6 months.

Important Precautions and Safety Information

While beneficial, cloves contain eugenol, which can be harmful in excessive amounts. Always exercise moderation with all forms of clove consumption, especially concentrated oils. Ingesting undiluted clove oil is particularly dangerous and should be avoided.

Children and Pregnant Women: Clove oil is unsafe for children, and medicinal doses should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
Medication Interactions: Eugenol can slow blood clotting. If you take blood-thinning medication (like warfarin) or have a bleeding disorder, consult a doctor before consuming cloves.
Pre-Surgery: Discontinue use of cloves at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Method for You

The best way to consume cloves depends on your specific goals and preferences, from brewing a gentle, digestive-friendly tea to chewing them for potent oral health benefits. For general use, integrating whole or ground cloves into cooking adds flavor and nutrients safely and easily. Whichever method you choose, remember that moderation is key to unlocking the spice's powerful advantages without experiencing potential adverse effects. By following these guidelines, you can safely incorporate this potent spice into your wellness routine. For more information on the health benefits of cloves and other natural remedies, consult authoritative sources like the Cleveland Clinic to ensure safe and responsible use.

Frequently Asked Questions

For temporary relief of dental pain, you can place a whole clove on the affected area and gently chew it to release the numbing eugenol. Alternatively, apply a diluted clove oil solution with a cotton ball, but avoid using concentrated oil directly on gums as it can cause irritation.

For a healthy adult, a moderate intake of 2-3 whole cloves per day is generally considered safe and beneficial. It is crucial to practice moderation due to the potent nature of the active compound, eugenol, which can cause irritation or other issues in high doses.

Whole cloves are better for slow-infusing flavor into liquids and foods during prolonged cooking, while ground cloves provide an immediate, more intense burst of flavor suitable for baking and quick recipes. Ground cloves also have a shorter shelf life.

Yes, drinking a mild clove-infused water daily is a gentle way to consume cloves and is generally safe in moderation. Prepare it by steeping a few whole cloves in water overnight. Pay attention to your body's reaction and reduce intake if any digestive issues arise.

Culinary amounts of cloves, such as those used in cooking, are considered safe during pregnancy. However, medicinal or higher doses should be avoided due to a lack of sufficient safety data. It is best to consult a doctor before using any clove products medicinally while pregnant.

Yes, cloves can aid digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes, which helps relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. You can achieve this by chewing a whole clove after a meal or drinking mild clove tea.

Excessive intake of cloves or concentrated clove oil can lead to side effects such as digestive irritation, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or increased bleeding risk, especially for those on blood-thinning medication. Clove oil is particularly potent and should be used with extreme caution and never ingested undiluted.