Cloves: 5 Major Side Effects + Dosage

A few side effects of cloves might make you reconsider consuming them. Cloves are widely used in cooking and for flavoring foods and beverages. Also, it is a key ingredient in soaps, toothpaste, and cosmetics.

Everyone knows cloves have umpteen benefits. Smelling crushed cloves may relieve headaches and nausea. Despite the benefits, cloves can also be harmful in certain ways. For example, eugenol, a compound found in cloves, may cause allergic reactions (1).

This article examines the side effects of cloves, their safety, recommended dosage, and any potential drug interactions. Take a look below.

Know The Flip Side: Cloves

Short-Term Effects
Increased risk of bleeding due to blood thinning, lower blood sugar levels, and allergies.

Long-Term Effects
May be toxic and lead to fits, liver damage and in severe cases, coma.

Drug Interactions
May interact with blood-thinning medications and antiplatelet medications.

When To See A Doctor
In case of skin irritation, mouth irritation, erection issues, and low blood sugar levels (if you have hypoglycemia).

What Are The Side Effects Of Cloves?

1. Can Increase Bleeding

Cloves can increase the risk of bleeding by enhancing the effects of blood-thinning medications, like Warfarin (2).

Cloves also interfere with other antiplatelet medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, heparin, and ticlopidine. This also increases the risk of bleeding (3).

2. Might Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much

Cloves help lower blood sugar (4). In a study, clove was found to sustain antihyperglycemicⁱ  Drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes that lower blood glucose levels in the body and help control them. activity for a long time.

This is good news, especially for individuals dealing with diabetes.

Key Takeaways

• Clove may affect sperm health and motility.
• It can interact negatively with certain drugs like aspirin, heparin, and ticlopidine and blood thinning medications like Warfarin.
• The spice can also lead to hypoglycemia, dangerously lowering blood sugar levels.
• Clove has shown potential toxicity leading to coma, fits, and renal failure and acute liver damage.

Infographic: Side Effects Of Cloves To Watch Out For

Take a look at the infographic below to acquaint yourself with its major side effects to avoid a possible trip to your doctor.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

But there is a possibility that the spice can lead to low blood sugar levels drastically, especially if you are on diabetes medications.

There is no data available to determine if cloves can lower blood sugar levels way too much. But if you are on diabetes medications, please talk to your doctor before taking cloves.

3. Can Cause Allergies

The eugenol in cloves can cause allergies. The compound reacts directly with body proteins and causes contact dermatitisⁱ  A common type of skin inflammation, caused when the body comes in contact with an allergen, which results in an itchy rash. . It can also cause localized skin irritation (1).

Cloves may also cause respiratory problems or allergies in a few individuals. This was especially true in the case of workers involved in the spice (clove) processing factories, who inhaled the spice dust. Irritation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and impaired lung functioning were two of the major symptoms (5).

The eugenol in cloves might also irritate the oral cavity. Individuals consuming too much of it can experience sensations of warmth and pain in the mouth (6).

Jesse Feder, a registered dietitian, says, “Cloves can irritate soft tissue, such as the skin found in our mouth, and this can lead to mouth ulcers.”

4. Can Be Toxic

Clove (or the oil) toxicity has been documented in some instances. The oil was found to cause coma, fits, and acute liver damage (7). In the study, a 2-year-old boy administered with 5 and 10 ml of clove oil had slipped into a deep coma in 3 hours.

Though more research is being done on the toxicity of clove oil, there is information on essential oils in general – a group clove oil also belongs to. Essential oils, as a group, may cause fits, coma, renal failure, and even hypoglycemiaⁱ  A common condition with excessively low blood sugar levels that causes hunger, tremors, and sweating. when used in excess (7).

In addition, cloves may affect sperm health. Isabella Bazzarro, a registered dietician, says, “Some limited data suggests cloves may have a negative effect on sperm health and motility.” She also adds, “One study found that clove oil (a component of cloves) had a significant negative impact on sperm movement and viability. Additionally, another study showed that consuming large amounts of cloves (more than 1 gram per day) was associated with reduced sperm count and motility. However, it’s important to note that these studies were relatively small, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.”

Trivia

During the Han Dynasty in China, members of the court would use cloves as a breath freshener whenever they spoke to the emperor.

5. May Aggravate Dental Issues

Cloves are commonly known for their antimicrobial and analgesic properties, and they are often used as a natural remedy for toothaches. Eugenol, the active component found in cloves, provides temporary relief from dental pain (6). However, cloves may aggravate dental issues if used excessively or inappropriately.

Direct application of clove oil or powdered cloves on the gums and teeth can lead to chemical burns in the oral cavity, increasing sensitivity and causing further damage to the gums. Overall, it is crucial to use cloves in moderation and not think of them as an alternative to professional treatment. Consult a dentist in case you are experiencing persistent or severe dental problems.

Cloves have powerful properties. But like any other ingredient, they can cause serious effects if not consumed with care. Hence, it is essential to be aware of the ways to consume them safely. Keep reading! .

Usage Guidelines For Safe Clove Consumption

Here are a few things you should keep in mind while using cloves in cooking or as supplements:

• Use cloves in moderation when cooking. Avoid using more than 1-2 whole cloves in dishes serving about 4-6 people.
• Do not apply clove oil directly on your skin, as it is highly potent. Instead, dilute it with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil.
• If you are allergic to cloves, avoid using the ingredient altogether, even topically.
• Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people on any medication should always consult a doctor before using cloves.
• While using clove oil or supplements, it is best to follow the recommended daily dosage to be safe.

You should be aware of the acceptable dosage limits of clove to stay safe from its side effects. Learn more about it in the following section.

How Many Cloves Can You Take In A Day?

According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable daily dosage of clove oil per day is 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight (8). This translates to about 175mg for an adult who weighs 70 Kg. You can easily adjust this dosage based on your own body weight. Anything beyond this can cause complications.

Trivia

In the 17th century, the Dutch tried to contain the growth of cloves to increase their prices. However, the French smuggled some cloves and brought them to the rest of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink clove water every day?

Yes, you can drink clove water every day, but in moderation. Drinking it once every day is ideal.

Is it good to chew cloves?

Yes, it is good to chew cloves. However, you should only consume the acceptable daily dose of 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight.

Can cloves make you sleepy?

Though there are not enough scientific studies to support this claim, many suggest using clove oil to induce sleep. You may apply 2-3 drops of clove oil to the forehead and massage it before going to bed for better sleep.

Does clove increase blood pressure?

No, clove does not raise blood pressure. In fact, it has potassium that helps control blood pressure (9).

Illustration: Cloves: 4 Major Side Effects + Dosage

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Consuming clove can have side effects. Learn more about the risks of consuming cloves, from nausea to liver damage, by watching this eye-opening video!

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Sarah SpannAdv Dip (Nut Med), mATMS

   

Sarah Spann has 4 years of experience as a clinical nutritionist. She specializes in gut health and is based in Brisbane, Australia. She is dedicated to changing the paradigm of gut health and works with clients all over the world to help them get back the freedom, energy and confidence that their gut issues have taken away.

Read full bio of Sarah Spann

• 
  Jesse FederRDN/LDN Jesse Feder, RDN/LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital. He is also a certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer (ACSM-CPT) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).
  
  Jesse Feder, RDN/LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital. He is also a certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer (ACSM-CPT) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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