Clove Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

I love a good whiff of Clove to make it feel like autumn to me, especially when it is combined in a diffuser with Cinnamon Bark, Cassia, and some Wild Orange. But Clove isn’t just for a fabulous fall scent or adding decoration to hams anymore! Harvested from the unopened buds of the evergreen tree, Clove offers a spicy-warm woodsy scent that works well in everything from supporting cardiovascular and oral health, to providing a musky cologne. dōTERRA steam distills the buds from Madagascar to preserve this earthy essential oil.

HISTORY OF CLOVE

The word Clove comes from the Latin clavus which means “nail,” no doubt dubbed this due to its nail-like appearance. The use of Clove dates back to early China and India where it was used as both a fragrance and a spice. Most notably, it was used as a breath freshener…in fact, during the Han Dynasty, one Chinese leader insisted that everyone chew cloves to freshen their breath before entering his presence! Due to its powerful scent, Clove oil pops up in European history as a pest deterrent during the Bubonic Plague, since people who coated themselves in the oil were among those not infected. It has also been used throughout Thailand as a mosquito repellant and recent scientific studies have confirmed that it also keeps lice, cockroaches, and other creepy-crawlies at bay. Clove essential oil can easily be added to distilled water and spritzed around the house or on your body before you head outdoors.

HOT OIL

A word of caution when using Clove essential oil – it is classified as a “hot” oil due to its warming properties. You do not want to apply Clove neat (without dilution) and we do recommend at least a 1:1 ratio when diluting with your favorite carrier oil (1 drop EO to 1 drop carrier). That said, its warming magic makes this essential oil perfect for a deep tissue massage once in a while to loosen up those knots and warm away tension. Just be careful to watch for any skin irritation! If you do notice any signs of reaction, be sure to ALWAYS dilute with more carrier oil and NEVER, NEVER try to wash it off with water! Oil and water do NOT mix, and the water will drive the oil deeper into your skin.

ORAL HEALTH

Most often, Clove finds a popular home in the oral hygiene category as it can pack a powerful punch for fresh breath and oral health. Often found in toothpaste, candies, and gum, Clove helps to promote fresh breath and oral cleanliness. Many people like to add a drop of Clove to their toothbrushes or on top of toothpaste for an extra cleaning element. Its warming and numbing effect can help to ease discomfort following a rigorous dental cleaning by dabbing on troublesome spots with a cotton swab. In addition, simply diluting a few drops in 2 oz. of water creates a mouth gargle with immune-enhancing and breath-freshening properties.

ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE

Clove’s primary chemical constituent eugenol provides the body with a stimulating, energizing effect, but also some amazing antioxidant properties that support cardiovascular health. In fact, Clove contains more antioxidants than even blueberries! It is no wonder that dōTERRA includes Clove in its On Guard Protective Blend! It is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the U.S. FDA for human consumption so it can be taken internally as a dietary supplement. This can be done in a number of ways, such as putting 2-3 drops in a veggie cap and swallowing, or diluting 1 drop in 1 tsp. of honey or in 4 ounces of soy or rice milk. These recommendations are for adults only, but children above the age of 6 can use Clove as a supplement in greater dilution. As always, discuss the use of any supplement with your preferred healthcare provider.

MANLY COLOGNE

The earthy-woodsy scent of Clove makes it perfect for inclusion in a manly cologne. Using dōTERRA’s Clove instead of a simple fragrance from the perfume industry will ensure that the body will benefit from the immune-enhancing and antioxidant properties that this CPTG essential oil offers. Clove adds a powerful middle or base note to any cologne or perfume.

To create a DIY Cologne, try this simple recipe:

In a 10 mL Rollerball Bottle, add:

10 drops Clove essential oil
20 drops White Fir essential oil (or Cedarwood)
40 drops Bergamot essential oil (or Wild Orange)
5 drops Lemon essential oil (or Lemongrass)

Fill the bottle the rest of the way with dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil or your preferred carrier oil (jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, etc.). Roll on wrists or behind ears for optimum results.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

Most people associate Clove as a popular spice in traditional Fall and Winter recipes, such as pumpkin pie or spiced cider. Remember that essential oils are 50-70% more potent than their herbal counterparts, so it is best to start small and gradually add more. If you are going for a hint of Clove, I recommend dipping a toothpick in the essential oil and then gently swirling it in before doing a taste check. One drop of Clove goes a long way when baking or cooking! The next time you make pumpkin pie, try replacing the traditional herbs with their essential oil versions – Clove, Ginger, Cassia or Cinnamon Bark, and even a hint of Wild Orange for extra flavor.

Looking to create a unique centerpiece or add charm to your guest bedroom? Try a DIY Potpourri! It is so simple to create and can be crafted using your choice of ingredients. Some suggestions for the bulk of the mix include dried applies, candied ginger, orange peels or dried orange slices, whole spices like clove or star anise, cinnamon sticks, and pieces of vanilla beans. Mix these together first and then add your own blend of essential oils for a warm, homey scent, such as Clove, Ginger, Cardamom, Wild Orange, dōTERRA On Guard, Cassia, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, or Vetiver.

Creating a custom sugar scrub can be a great gift as well, and Clove adds that warming kick to any skin-smoothing solution. For an extra kick, you can separate the following recipe into thirds and add skin-safe, non-toxic coloring to create a beautiful layered effect.

SPICY SUGAR SCRUB

Mix together the following ingredients until a “slush” forms:

¾ c. white sugar (or brown sugar)
½ c. dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil
4 drops Cassia or Cinnamon Bark essential oil
2-4 drops Ginger essential oil
4 drops Clove essential oil

(Add in two drops of Wild Orange or Lemon for a slight citrus top note)

More than just a pumpkin pie spice, Clove can help to support your body and add zest to your life. If you would like more information on how you can get your own Clove essential oil, contact me!

If you are ready to get some dōTERRA essential oils (my preferred brand) into your household, you can sign up with me immediately here and get my personal bonuses when you enroll today!

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