How to Make Clove Oil

Clove oil is a commonly used natural remedy for toothache. Its “miracle” effect is due to the chemical comes eugep, a very effective antioxidant. ^{[1] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source} You can buy clove oil at any essential oil store, but if you’re interested in making your own, it’s pretty easy. If you’re planning to use clove oil, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor – they can give you advice on what to watch out for, especially if you’re taking medication for a chronic condition.

Follow these 10 steps to make your own clove oil at home.

Table of Contents

Buy fresh cloves

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Look for fresh whole cloves online or in grocery stores. The longer the cloves are stored, the lower the quality of the eugenp in the cloves, so you need to use the freshest seeds possible. Dried cloves don’t have a high eugep content so it won’t be beneficial. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Cloves also come in powdered or pre-ground form, but you won’t get much of the essence if you use these.

Crush cloves with pestle and mortar

Measure out 2 tablespoons (about 30 g) of clove seeds. Put the cloves in the mortar and use the pestle to crush the cloves to release the essence. Grind until the cloves burst. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can also pour a little carrier oil (coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil are good options) over the whole cloves before grinding. This will allow the oil to fully penetrate the cloves. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Put cloves in a small dark glass jar

Choose a jar that can hold at least 60 ml to 120 ml of oil. Darkened glass helps prevent light from degrading the oil. Pour the crushed cloves into the jar. You should shake it up a bit so that the cloves spread evenly on the bottom of the jar. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Amber or cobalt blue glass jars are suitable for storing clove oil. If you only have a clear glass jar, that’s fine – just store the oil in a place where it won’t be exposed to light.

Pour oil over cloves

Use coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil as a carrier oil. Fill the jar with enough oil to cover the cloves – you don’t need a lot of oil! Shake the jar gently to make sure the cloves are completely submerged in the oil. ^{[6] X Research Source}

You can use more carrier oil if you want, but if so, the clove oil won’t be very concentrated.

Close the vial tightly and shake it a few times

Tighten the lid tightly to prevent spillage. Shake the jar to make sure the cloves are completely submerged in the oil. This step also helps the essence in the cloves distribute evenly throughout the oil bottle. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If you are sure the vial cap is tight, turn the vial upside down a few times. That way, you can make sure the cloves are completely submerged in the oil.

Leave the clove oil for about a week

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Take out the clove oil bottle and shake it once a day. Shake this way to ensure that the clove essence is evenly distributed in the carrier oil. ^{[8] X Research Source} Store the oil in a cool, dark place, such as deep in a kitchen cupboard. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Technically, if you need it, clove oil can be used within a few days of soaking, but at this point the oil’s potency is not high.

Strain the cloves from the oil

Use an elastic band to tie a piece of cheesecloth over the top of the jar. The oil will flow through the cloth and leave the female part in the jar. Allow the oil to drain into the bowl, then pour it back into the jar when you’ve emptied the top. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can just leave the cloves in the oil if you want – this will make the oil more concentrated. If you’ve been soaking cloves in oil for more than a month, add more olive oil to the jar before using so the oil doesn’t get too strong.
You can also pour the oil into another jar. A bottle with a dropper cap will make it easier to get the oil, but this is completely up to you.

Store the jar of clove oil in a cool and dark place

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Clove oil can be used well for about 4 months. You can still use the oil after 4 months, but it will gradually lose its effectiveness. ^{[11] X Research Source} For best results, you should store clove oil at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius. Light and heat will degrade the oil more quickly. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If stored in the refrigerator, clove oil can last a little longer, but this is not necessary.

Dab oil on gums or rub on skin as needed

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Clove oil soothes pain, reduces inflammation, and repels insects. Studies have proven that clove oil has many other benefits as well. Note that these studies were all for commercial products – understand that the clove oil you make at home may not have the desired effect! You can try clove oil in the following ways:

Use a cotton ball to dab clove oil on the gums to treat toothache. ^{[13] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}
Dot the pulse points on the skin to repel mosquitoes. ^{[14] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Rub onto skin to soothe itching and reduce inflammation. ^{[15] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Dilute with water and use as a mouthwash to reduce plaque and prevent gingivitis. ^{[16] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Use small doses to avoid poisoning

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Exposure to or swallowing large amounts of clove oil can cause liver and kidney damage. If you only use 1-2 drops of clove oil at a time, you are still safe. An overdose is when you swallow 10 ml-30 ml of clove oil in one go, resulting in decreased consciousness and coma in just a few hours. ^{[17] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source}

You can also develop an allergic reaction to clove oil when you apply the oil directly to your skin, although it’s not common. If you notice a skin rash after applying clove oil, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water and discontinue use.
Infants and young children are more prone to overdose than adults.

Advice

Boil bottles and utensils when making clove oil to sterilize. Otherwise, the oil will be contaminated with bacteria or other impurities. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Warning

As of 2021, there is not enough scientific information to make an appropriate dosage recommendation for clove oil. The best dose will depend on each person’s age and health status, as well as several other factors. Consult your doctor before using clove oil, especially if you plan to take it for a long time. ^{[19] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}
For people with diabetes, the use of clove oil along with diabetes medication can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. You need to closely monitor your blood sugar levels when using clove oil. ^{[20] X Research Sources}
Absolutely do not use clove oil on children. Clove oil can cause serious side effects, including seizures and liver damage. Use with caution in pregnant and lactating women. ^{[21] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}
Avoid clove oil if you have hemophilia. Eugenp slows blood clotting. ^{[22] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}
If you take clove oil along with a medicine that slows blood clotting, including warfarin and even over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, you may have an increased risk of bleeding and bruising. ^{[23] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}

Steps