Herbs (Global Traditional) · Southeast Asian
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) (Syzygium aromaticum)
Moderate Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) contains eugenol as its primary bioactive compound, comprising 70-90% of its essential oil. Eugenol exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes and modulates immune function through T-cell suppression and B-cell enhancement.
Clove derives from the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum (family Myrtaceae), native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia but now cultivated in tropical regions like India, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The buds are harvested before flowering and typically extracted via steam distillation for essential oil or solvent extraction (e.g., ethanol or water) for crude extracts, with essential oils comprising 10-20% of bud weight.
The research dossier reveals a critical gap: no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on clove were identified in the search results. Available evidence is limited to preclinical studies including in vitro experiments using mouse splenocytes (n=6-8 week Balb/c mice) and animal models testing anti-inflammatory effects. No PubMed PMIDs for human studies were found.
No clinically studied human dosages available from RCTs. Preclinical data only: In vitro studies used 0.001-1000 μg/mL clove extracts; animal anti-inflammatory studies used essential oil 0.05-0.20 mL/kg or ethanol bud extract 50-200 mg/kg (rodent LD50: 565.7 mg/kg). No standardization for eugenol content specified. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Eugenol, clove's primary active compound, inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. It also modulates immune responses by suppressing T-helper cell proliferation while enhancing B-cell expansion through effects on cytokine signaling pathways. Additionally, eugenol disrupts bacterial cell membranes and interferes with cellular respiration in microorganisms.
Animal studies demonstrate clove essential oil's anti-inflammatory effects at 0.05-0.20 mL/kg doses, showing comparable efficacy to indomethacin in reducing inflammation markers. In vitro studies reveal immunomodulatory activity at 100-1000 μg/mL concentrations, with significant T-cell proliferation suppression and B-cell enhancement. However, evidence remains limited to preliminary animal models and cell culture studies. No large-scale human clinical trials have been conducted to establish therapeutic efficacy or optimal dosing protocols.
Clove oil can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and mucous membrane irritation when applied topically in high concentrations. Eugenol may interact with anticoagulant medications by enhancing bleeding risk due to its antiplatelet effects. High doses can cause liver toxicity and central nervous system depression. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid therapeutic doses beyond normal culinary use due to insufficient safety data.