Clove
Eugenia Caryophyllata
Clove Oil has been used for many years to treat issues such as toothache and other pains associated with dental health. Its fragrant, healing scent is also popular to help with digestive problems and respiratory conditions.
History of Clove Oil
Cloves have been documented in history for thousands of years, dating as far back as 1721BC. They were used by the Ancient Romans and Chinese, as well as being used for trading by Arabs. Many spices were considered as currency and Cloves in particular were considered sacred and of high value, with people often trying to steal them. Cloves were originally used in cooking and to preserve dishes, but also had medicinal properties. Clove Oil was widely used in dentistry, as it was an effective mouth-numbing ointment which also doubled down as a disinfectant. Dentists recommended Clove Oil to patients after treatment, as it would help with post-surgical discomfort as well as keeping bacteria away. Clove Oil was often suggested as a treatment for bad breath.
Clove Oil is an antioxidant and was used for thousands of years to boost the immune system and as a medicine when people became sick, especially with a cold. The clove itself is still used as a spice, as the flavour of clove is fragrant and has cemented itself into a lot of cuisines, however the oil possesses medicinal qualities that are still widely respected and used today.
So, why has Clove Oil survived through time?
Because of its success Clove Oil, like Eucalyptus Oil has immediate effects when used, and official studies back up its benefits, meaning that the veracity of its results are more than just anecdotal. Today, Clove Oil is still recommended as a suitable oil to be used after having a cavity removed at the dentist, or, as a home remedy to numb pain from a stubborn wisdom tooth! In aromatherapy Clove Oil is used to reduce feelings of anxiety, as well as improving your memory. It is clear that Clove Oil is incredibly powerful and is respected inherently not just by aromatherapists and alternative medicine practitioners, but also by commercial businesses that use Clove Oil in their products. It is an oil that is accessible and, in most countries affordable to purchase.
Extracting Clove Oil
Like most essential oils on the market, Clove Oil is extracted via steam distillation, in which steam is used to gently extract the oil from the dried flower buds from the clove tree. When the water condenses, the oil is then skimmed off the top, and the essential oil is then made. This is a non-invasive way of extraction, which usually yields the most amount of oil. Other methods could also be used including cold pressing or using an alcohol to pull the oil out, but sometimes these methods can cause more damage and yield less oil than desired.
Can I make Clove Oil at home?
Yes, you can. Although, if you don’t have a steam distiller, you won’t be able to achieve absolute Clove Oil, rather a weaker extraction which can still work fairly effectively. The first method in which you could make the oil is if you owned a steam distiller or rented one, and replicated the commercial process at home. This would give you a lot of oil, so if you are someone who enjoys making essential oils at home it would be worth purchasing a small steam distiller so you can do this with ease.
Another, cheaper way of making clove oil is by putting cloves into a carrier oil such as olive oil or almond oil and leaving it in a cool, dry place to slowly extract the oil from the cloves. We recommend leaving this mixture for at least two weeks. After, you can strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and you will be left with clove oil, not in its purest form, however still effective. If you are impatient and don’t want to wait two weeks, you can always buy the oil online - as it’s fairly accessible and inexpensive!
Can I make Clove Oil at home?
Yes, you can. Although, if you don’t have a steam distiller, you won’t be able to achieve absolute Clove Oil, rather a weaker extraction which can still work fairly effectively. The first method in which you could make the oil is if you owned a steam distiller or rented one and replicated the commercial process at home. This would give you a lot of oil, so if you are someone who enjoys making essential oils at home it would be worth purchasing a small steam distiller so you can do this with ease.
Another, cheaper way of making clove oil is by putting cloves into a carrier oil such as olive oil or almond oil and leaving it in a cool, dry place to slowly extract the oil from the cloves. We recommend leaving this mixture for at least two weeks. After, you can strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and you will be left with clove oil, not in its purest form, however still effective. If you are impatient and don’t want to wait two weeks, you can always buy the oil online - as it’s fairly accessible and inexpensive!
Bergamot Oil Varieties
Clove Oil Varieties
There are three main varieties of Clove Oil that can be found, but you could assume that within these three varieties there are different types of clove which will vary depending on your distributor and where the oil is being produced. The three different types of Clove Oil are bud oil, stem oil and leaf oil. It’s fairly simple - bud oil is made from the flower bud, stem oil is taken from the stem of the plant, and leaf oil is taken from the leaf of the plant! Each variation has a slightly different percentage of eugenol in it, which is what makes Clove Oil work well as a numbing remedy when suffering from toothache!
So, which variety of Clove Oil should I use?
As always, it depends on what you need to use the Clove Oil for, as if it’s for something specific like toothache, you’d want to ensure that it has a high percentage of eugenol, which can be found in stem oil. Although bud and leaf oil still have high concentrations of eugenol, you may find that it is less effective on toothache/pain because of this. However, if you are looking to use Clove Oil generically in aromatherapy on its own or blended with others, you wouldn’t need to focus on this element as much, as it’s only oral or topical application that would be affected because of the amount of eugenol present. As always, we recommend that if possible, try out different varieties as everybody is different and what works for you may not work for someone else!
The Essentially Yours team love to hear from the community about the essential oils that you’re using and which varieties you’ve benefited from the most. As always. Feel free to reach out to one of the essentially yours team today!
So, which variety of Clove Oil should I use?
As always, it depends on what you need to use the Clove Oil for, as if it’s for something specific like toothache, you’d want to ensure that it has a high percentage of eugenol, which can be found in stem oil. Although bud and leaf oil still have high concentrations of eugenol, you may find that it is less effective on toothache/pain because of this. However, if you are looking to use Clove Oil generically in aromatherapy on its own or blended with others, you wouldn’t need to focus on this element as much. As always, we recommend that if possible, try out different varieties as everybody is different and what works for you may not work for someone else!
The Essentially Yours team love to hear from the community about the essential oils that you’re using and which varieties you’ve benefited from the most. As always. Feel free to reach out to one of the essentially yours team today!
Benefits of Clove Oil
Cloves have been used throughout history for hundreds of years, mostly to treat discomforts such as toothache, muscle pain and digestive upset. Clove Oil can act as a powerful natural numbing aid and is still used today in dentistry to help soothe aching teeth, or it can be used as a form of anaesthetic in some cases. There is also research to support that Clove Oil can be used on some animals as anaesthesia, though it is not common due to modern medication. Clove Oil is versatile and can be used for many issues, meaning that it has cemented itself not just into the essential oil community, but also in the alternative medicine world! It’s an oil which is popular because it can solve a number of issues, so having Clove Oil in your collection is something we’d highly recommend as it can target pain, relieve stress and also be applied and blended in multiple ways.
So, what are the benefits of Clove Oil?
Antimicrobial
Clove Oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, meaning that it works well as a disinfecting room spray or mixed in with other natural cleaning agents such as vinegar and hot water to create a DIY household cleaner. A great option if you don’t like using chemicals in your home.
Can relieve itchy, irritated skin
When used topically, Clove Oil has been proven to
reduce the feelings of needing to itch your skin.
This is particularly helpful if you suffer from
eczema or other irritating skin conditions.
Relieves pain
Whether it is used in combination with a carrier oil or lotion, when blended Clove Oil can create a pain-relieving ointment that can soothe aching muscles and joints. If used orally, it should not be ingested, instead, it should be used by saturating a cotton ball with the oil and placing it on the area where you are feeling pain (for example toothache) to provide temporary numbing and pain relief.
Relieves stress and anxiety and can help respiratory conditions
Through techniques such as inhalation, or creating a chest rub using petroleum jelly and essential oils, you can help relieve the stuffy feelings associated with having a wet cough or asthma.
Settles an unsteady stomach
Clove Oil can be ingested in very small doses when mixed with water, herbal teas or another non-alcoholic beverage which can soothe the stomach.
Please note that the benefits of Clove Oil may vary from person to person, depending on the type of Clove Oil you buy as well as its purity will also affect the desired results. If you are someone who has sensitive skin and/or struggles to use essential oils topically as a result of this, please consult a dermatologist before using an essential oil. If you do use essential oils topically, please ensure (unless stated otherwise) that you mix with a carrier oil or lotion to avoid irritation!
Uses of Clove Oil
Clove Oil is an essential oil that is popular in aromatherapy, home cleaning as well as beauty and dental uses. The clove buds have been used for hundreds of years acting as a medication for dental related issues, as well as assisting with skincare conditions and stomach upset. The first use of clove was dated in 1721BC, used by the ancient Romans and Chinese! They used it for medicinal purposes as well as in cooking, and today clove leaves and buds are still used across multiple cultures and cuisines due to its fragrant aroma that can transform any dish!
Aromatherapy
In aromatherapy Clove Oil can be used on its own or blended with other oils to create soothing, stress relieving blends that can help with sleep conditions such as insomnia.
Toothache
Soak a cotton ball in Clove Oil and place on the desired area - voila! It acts as a numbing aid whilst also relieving the pain associated with toothache. It’s particularly effective if you struggle with pains associated with braces or if you are undergoing regular dental work.
Air Freshener
Put a few drops of Clove Oil in water, shake well and spray - you have the perfect air freshener which is antimicrobial, too. We recommend mixing together with Lemon Oil to give the room a refreshing uplift. Alternatively, you can also add a few drops to your electric diffuser to create a beautiful scent. Try mixing with Lavender Oil!
Moisturizer
Whether you mix Clove Oil with a carrier oil, or a non-scented moisturiser, you can create a beautiful moisturiser which works well with sensitive and dry skin.
Stomach upset
Although ingesting essential oils is advised against in some circumstances, a drop of Clove Oil in a non-alcoholic beverage such as water or tea can help if you are suffering from stomach upset or uncomfortable bowel movements.
Muscle and joint pain
Combine with a carrier oil such as Almond Oil, and you have a massage oil which can tackle muscle and joint pain!
Household cleaner
If you aren’t a fan of chemical cleaners, try using Clove Oil, Lemon Oil, vinegar and water to create an effective household cleaner which is antibacterial, antimicrobial and smells great!
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our tips, tricks, and knowledge with you, so you can get the most out of your essential oil collection. Whether it’s understanding the history behind an oil or brushing up on the latest blends, our website has all the information you’ll need! In this blog we are specifically going to talk about the oils that blend well with Clove Oil. So, if you want to learn more - keep reading!
Coconut Oil
One of our favourite carrier oils, Coconut Oil is rich and nourishing, and on its own can be used to improve your dental health. Solid at room temperature, this is great to mix together with Clove Oil to create your own pot of homemade mouthwash. Clove Oil improves your dental health, and Coconut Oil is a natural and gentle antibacterial that eliminates bad breath and gives you a whiter smile.
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Lemon Oil
Tangy and refreshing, clove and lemon not only go well together in the kitchen, but also as an essential oil blend. Use this in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety and stress, and to keep you feeling alert and refreshed during the day. It also works well as a room scent or spray for linen.
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Lavender Oil
One of the few essential oils that works with practically every single one on the market, the floral, soothing scent of Lavender Oil mixed with Clove Oil can create a great before-bed scent that will lull you to sleep.
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Cedarwood Oil
Woody and slightly musky, Cedarwood Oil works beautifully with Clove Oil to create a blend that would be suited to a homemade candle or as an aromatherapy scent to reduce stress and anxiety.
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Orange Oil
Christmas, anyone? The gorgeous blend of Clove Oil and Orange Oil isn’t just great in aromatherapy, but it’s a seasonal scent that we just love. Leave your home smelling luscious with this blend!
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Cinnamon Oil
Similar to Orange Oil, Cinnamon and Clove create a beautiful muskiness that can be used in a bath to relax and soothe tired muscles, or in aromatherapy to help aid restful sleep!
