Oil of clove

Types and phytochemicals

There are three types of clove oil:

• Bud oil is derived from the flower-buds of S. aromaticum. It consists of 60–90% eugenol, eugenol acetate, caryophyllene and other minor constituents.
• Leaf oil is derived from the leaves of S. aromaticum. It consists of 70–82% eugenol, and some amounts of beta Caryophyllene and alpha Humulene.
• Stem oil is derived from the twigs of S. aromaticum. It consists of 85–92% eugenol, with other minor constituents. Stem oil is closer in olfactive and flavor profile to bud oil.

Distilled clove oil from buds contains mixed phytochemicals, including as main constituents phenylpropanoids (primarily eugenol), carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde, with smaller quantities of polyphenols, carbohydrates, lipids, oleanolic acid, and rhamnetin.

Human health

Toxicity

Clove oil is toxic in anything other than small therapeutic doses, and several cases of acute liver and kidney damage have been reported, principally in children. In foods, the level of clove oil used as a flavor ingredient does not exceed 0.06%, and is considered safe.

Toothache

Particularly in South Korea and India, eugenol, an aromatic compound extracted from clove oil, is used in alternative medicine to relieve toothache. Applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth or tooth socket remaining after extraction, eugenol or clove oil may relieve toothache temporarily. There is insufficient scientific evidence that eugenol is effective for treating dental pain.

Other uses

Clove oil is commonly used to anesthetize or euthanize laboratory or pet fish.

Clove oil is a component of choji oil (), which was traditionally used for the maintenance of Japanese swords.

Regulation

In Germany, Commission E permits the sale and administration of clove oil for use in alternative medicine.

Notes

References

References

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6. (2013). "Natural Products". Springer-Verlag Berlin; In: Natural Products - Phytochemistry, Botany and Metabolism of Alkaloids, Phenolics and Terpenes; Part XIV.
7. Gary Kent Ostrander. (2000). "The Laboratory Fish". Elsevier.
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10. (6 October 2019). "Glossary".
11. (1998-08-15). "The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines". American Botanical Council.