Who Cannot Drink Clove Tea?: Understanding the Health Risks and Contraindications

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, high concentrations of the compound eugenol found in cloves can be toxic to the liver, especially when ingested as a concentrated oil. Therefore, knowing who cannot drink clove tea is critical for avoiding potential side effects and health complications.

Quick Summary

Clove tea is not safe for everyone due to its potential effects on blood clotting, blood sugar, and liver function. Specific populations must avoid it to prevent adverse health issues, while moderate consumption is generally safe for others. Cautions apply especially to those taking certain medications, pregnant women, and children.

Key Points

Blood Thinner Users: Those on anticoagulant medications like warfarin or aspirin must avoid clove tea due to the risk of increased bleeding.
Diabetes Patients: People with diabetes, especially those using insulin, should not drink clove tea because it can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Liver Disease Sufferers: Individuals with liver conditions should avoid clove tea, as high concentrations of eugenol can be toxic to the liver and cause damage.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: Due to a lack of sufficient safety data, medicinal amounts of clove tea should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with only moderate amounts in food being considered safe.
Children: Oral ingestion of concentrated clove oil is highly toxic and dangerous for children, potentially causing seizures and liver damage.
Pre-Surgery Patients: Anyone with an upcoming surgery or dental procedure should stop consuming cloves at least two weeks beforehand to prevent blood clotting issues.
Allergy Sufferers: People with known allergies to cloves or related spices should not consume clove tea, as it can cause serious allergic reactions.

Understanding the Contraindications of Clove Tea

Clove tea, brewed from the aromatic buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, is a popular beverage enjoyed for its warm flavor and potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, like many potent herbal remedies, it is not suitable for everyone. The primary active compound in cloves is eugenol, which, while beneficial in small amounts, can have significant pharmacological effects that pose risks to certain individuals, especially in concentrated forms like supplements or potent teas.

Individuals with Bleeding Disorders and those on Anticoagulants

One of the most critical contraindications for clove tea involves its effect on blood clotting. Eugenol has natural blood-thinning properties. This can be particularly dangerous for people with diagnosed bleeding disorders or for those taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, often referred to as blood thinners. Taking clove tea alongside medications such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel can dangerously increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Increased Bleeding Risk: The combined effect can lead to a heightened risk of internal or external bleeding.
Pre-Surgical Caution: It is generally recommended to stop consuming clove products, including tea, at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery or dental work to prevent complications with blood clotting.

People with Diabetes and Blood Sugar Concerns

Cloves have been shown in some studies to help lower blood sugar levels. While this may sound beneficial, it presents a significant risk for people with diabetes, particularly those on insulin or other antidiabetic medications. The risk lies in the potential for hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, which can lead to dizziness, weakness, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications.

Patients with Liver Conditions

High doses of eugenol can be toxic to the liver. Cases of severe liver injury have been reported after the ingestion of large amounts of concentrated clove oil, particularly in children. While the amount of eugenol in a typical cup of tea is far lower than that in concentrated oil, individuals with pre-existing liver conditions should exercise extreme caution and consult a healthcare provider. Excessive or prolonged consumption could potentially exacerbate liver issues.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Children

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the safety data on medicinal doses of cloves is insufficient. While small amounts used in cooking are considered safe, concentrated forms like supplements or strong tea are best avoided. Excessive intake could potentially stimulate uterine contractions or affect the baby, although more research is needed. For children, especially infants, oral ingestion of concentrated clove oil is highly unsafe and has been linked to seizures and liver damage. It is important to keep all clove products out of children's reach.

Individuals with Allergies

Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to cloves or other spices in the same plant family. Allergic reactions can manifest as itching, rashes, swelling, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop using clove tea immediately and seek medical attention.

Comparison of Clove Consumption Methods and Risks


Consumption Method	Risk Level	Key Considerations
Culinary Use (small amounts in food)	Low	Generally safe for most people, including pregnant women, when used as a spice.
Moderate Clove Tea	Moderate	Considered safe for many, but risks increase for individuals with specific health conditions (diabetes, bleeding disorders). Moderation is key.
High-Dose Clove Tea	High	Increases risk of adverse effects, including digestive issues, hypoglycemia, and potential liver stress.
Clove Oil / Supplements	Very High	High concentration of eugenol makes it toxic in anything more than small therapeutic doses, and is not for oral ingestion. Contraindicated for many groups.

Potential Side Effects and When to Seek Medical Advice

Even for those without pre-existing conditions, excessive consumption of clove tea can lead to side effects. These include gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, diarrhea, and heartburn, due to the irritating nature of eugenol. Other potential issues include muscle pain and fatigue from overconsumption.

Digestive Issues: Overloading the system with cloves can lead to stomach upset and irritation.
Oral Irritation: High-dose or topical application of clove oil can cause burning sensations and inflame gums.

It is crucial to seek emergency medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing), liver problems (nausea, dark urine, jaundice), or severe hypoglycemia (dizziness, weakness). For general safety, it is always wise to consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal tea for medicinal purposes, especially if you have chronic health issues or are taking medication. For more detailed information on specific drug interactions, resources like WebMD provide extensive guidance.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety in Herbal Remedies

While clove tea offers a comforting flavor and several potential benefits, its potent compounds make it unsuitable for everyone. Individuals with bleeding disorders, diabetes, or liver disease must be particularly cautious or avoid it entirely due to serious health risks. Furthermore, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children should steer clear of medicinal doses, with moderate consumption of food amounts being the only generally accepted use. Prioritizing safety by understanding these contraindications is essential for responsible herbal tea consumption. When in doubt, consulting a healthcare professional is the best course of action to ensure the tea aligns with your personal health needs.

For more detailed information on specific drug interactions, consult reliable medical resources like WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, if you are taking blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants), you should not drink clove tea. The eugenol in cloves can slow blood clotting, significantly increasing the risk of bleeding.

Individuals with diabetes should be extremely cautious and consult their doctor before drinking clove tea. Cloves can lower blood sugar, and in combination with diabetes medication, this could lead to dangerous hypoglycemia.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid medicinal doses of clove tea due to insufficient safety data. Small amounts used for flavoring food are generally considered safe, but concentrated teas or supplements should not be consumed.

Clove tea is not recommended for children, especially in concentrated forms, because the high concentration of eugenol is toxic to the liver and can cause seizures even in small amounts.

Yes, you should stop consuming clove tea and other clove products at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery or dental procedure. This is because cloves can affect blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.

While small amounts of cloves are unlikely to cause harm, high doses of eugenol, particularly from concentrated clove oil, can cause severe liver damage. Individuals with pre-existing liver disease should avoid clove tea unless directed by a doctor.

Signs of a clove allergy include hives, itching, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect an allergic reaction, stop consumption and seek medical help immediately.

Yes, excessive consumption of clove tea can cause gastrointestinal distress, leading to nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea due to the irritating nature of the compound eugenol.