Clove Oil (Laung ka Tel) Benefits and Side Effects

The most prominent and significant benefit of clove oil is dental care. Clove oil is added to several dental products like toothpaste and mouthwashes due to its considerable germicidal characteristics and the presence of a compound called eugenol. Eugenol has been known to exhibit irritant action as well as analgesic effect. It helps fend off dental discomfort, mouth ulcers, toothache, and sore or bleeding gums.  The strong and potent smell of clove removes bad breath and even soothes throat pain.

Clove oil also possesses antiseptic and antimicrobial activity against oral bacteria like S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. This helps keep dental caries and periodontal disease at bay. Using clove oil for dental troubles is as simple as diluting a few drops of the oil into a cup of warm water for gargling.

Most of the commercially available skin care creams and lotions consist of harsh chemicals which may have various side effects. However,  clove could be used as a natural alternative to such skin care products. Clove oil contains a compound known as eugenol which is especially known for its antibacterial properties. It is effective in the treatment for acne, reducing swelling as well as killing the infectious bacteria at the same time. It can clear cystic acne as well.

Mixing a few drops of clove oil in your daily skin cream can aid you in getting a clear and smooth looking skin. Clove oil can also prevent the early signs of ageing skin including wrinkles and sagging skin. It even helps get rid of blemishes and scars when applied directly on the skin in appropriate proportions. Also, It works as a mild chemical peel, which helps in exfoliating dead skin. As a stimulant, clove oil increases the blood flow in the skin tissue. Together, these properties can help in reviving the youthfulness of the skin.

Due to its antiseptic property and soothing effects, it is used as a massage oil and in soaps.

Clove oil works as a great bug or insect repellent. In fact, It is a common constituent of many insect repellents. Conventionally, a few drops of clove oil were scattered around the room and sleeping area to keep the mosquitoes away  So, you can use clove leaves or oil and save money on buying bug sprays. Cloves can even be planted around yards to decrease the number of bugs. Furthermore, clove oil-based creams can be directly applied to the body to keep insects and bugs at bay. Bug and insect repellent candles also consist of this oil. 

Applying small quantities of clove oil on the scalp helps reduce the rate of hair fall and promotes hair growth. This oil can also aid in covering the bald spots and makes your hair long and lustrous.

It boosts the blood circulation in the scalp, stopping unnecessary hair fall and consequently accelerating hair growth post one week of application. When a drop of clove oil is mixed with olive oil, it works wonders as a conditioner. It strengthens the hair straight from the roots to the tips.

Traditionally, clove oil is used for the treatment of respiratory ailments like cold, cough and sore throat. It has a cooling and anti-inflammatory action which helps clear the nasal canal and gives you relief from respiratory troubles such as, sinusitis and asthma.

Studies suggest that the antibacterial properties of clove oil are very helpful in reducing the risk of common respiratory infections. Clove oil has also been found to be an effective cure for nasty earaches and middle ear inflammatory diseases like otitis media.

According to an in vivo study, carvacrol, one of the active components of clove oil can inhibit the growth of Pneumococci and H. influenzae which are the causative agents of otitis media.

A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches as it has a numbing effect on the pain. 

Clove oil is one of the oldest remedies for fighting indigestion and stomach related issues. clove oil also comes handy for treating hiccups and motion sickness. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of stomach problems such as diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence and indigestion. If a few drops of oil are rubbed on the stomach area, it can help decrease gas and eliminate the toxins from the body.

A research documents that the essential oil of clove and eugenol possess antiulcer properties and have the ability to stimulate the synthesis of mucus which is an essential gastroprotective factor.

(Read more: Stomach ulcer treatment)

Diabetes tends to disturb the glucose metabolism in the body by harming the insulin-producing cells. Lack of insulin is in turn responsible for hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels). Clove oil helps in maintaining insulin levels in the body. Studies suggest that post-meal insulin is likely to be more regular when clove oil is consumed. Eugenol is the major compound present in clove oil.  In an animal-based study, eugenol has been found to reduce diabetic complications by mediating an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function. So, clove oil may have an important place in anti-diabetes therapies.

(Read more: Diabetes treatment)

Clove is very effective in controlling nausea and is commonly used to diminish the effects of morning sickness and discomfort faced by pregnant women. Studies suggest that clove oil has various bioactive components which can help in improving digestion and soothing nerves. It can also reduce the feeling of dizziness, which is one of the causes of nausea.

Clove oil can also be used an inhalant to get rid of nausea.

Clove oil is blessed with an abundance of antiseptic properties. It can be used to treat cuts, wounds, fungal infections, prickly heat, athlete’s foot, and insect or bug bites. However, the direct application of clove oil may be harmful. If the wound is fresh and sore, it is suggested to dilute the oil by adding it with proportions of almond or coconut oil. These carrier oils can help prevent your skin from burns that can be caused by the direct application of clove oil.

Cancer is a ghastly disease which has been affecting numerous lives all over the world. The only cure for advanced stage cancer is chemotherapy which tends to leave endless side effects in its wake. Of late, there has been a growing resistance to anticancer drugs which have led to a shift in the focus towards natural products.

Clove oil is one such natural product which is believed to have anticarcinogenic properties. Eugenol is an essential oil found in the bud and leaves of Syzygium aromaticum (L.). Studies suggest eugenol inhibits cell proliferation and is especially seen to be effective against breast cancer lines. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, NIH, free radicals and oxidative stress could contribute to cancer by increasing DNA damage. Studies suggest that eugenol reacts with these reactive oxygen species (ROS) and arrests the free radical damage thus reducing the risk of cancer.