Clove oil is a natural remedy frequently used for toothaches. Its "magic" comes from the chemical eugenol, a powerful antioxidant.[1] You can buy commercially prepared clove oil anywhere essential oils are sold, but it's also relatively simple to make your own. If you're thinking about using clove oil, mention it to your doctor—they can advise you of any precautions you might need to take, especially if you're taking medication for a chronic health condition.

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

2

Crush the cloves with a mortar and pestle.

  1. Measure out about 2 tablespoons (about 28 grams) of whole cloves. Put your cloves in a bowl, then crush them gently with a mortar. This helps release the essence from the cloves. Stop when your cloves have a rough consistency.[3]
    • You can also pour a little of the carrier oil you're using (coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil are good choices) onto the whole cloves before you crush them. This gets the oil thoroughly immersed in the cloves.[4]
3

Place your cloves in a small dark glass jar.

  1. Choose a jar that holds at least 2 to 4 fluid ounces (59 to 118 mL). Dark glass keeps the light from deteriorating the oil. Drop the crushed cloves in the bottom of the jar. You might want to shake them around a little just to make sure they're evenly distributed in the bottom of the jar.[5]
    • Amber- or cobalt-colored glass works well. If you only have a clear glass jar, that's fine—just make sure you're keeping the jar in a place that isn't exposed to light at all.
  2. Advertisement
4

Cover the cloves with a carrier oil.

  1. Use coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil as a carrier oil. Pour the oil over the top of the cloves until they are just submerged under the oil—you won't need much! You might want to shake the jar around a little just to make sure your cloves are covered completely.[6]
    • You can use more carrier oil if you want, but your clove oil won't be as strong.
5

Seal the jar and shake it gently a couple of times.

  1. Put the lid on the jar so that it's closed tightly to prevent spills. Shaking the oil and cloves gently ensures that the cloves are completely covered in oil. This also helps distribute the clove essence evenly throughout the bottle of oil.[7]
    • If you're sure the lid is tightly secured, try flipping the jar upside down a couple of times. That way you can be sure that the cloves are completely covered in oil.
  2. Advertisement
7

Strain the cloves out of the oil.

  1. Secure a piece of cheesecloth over the top of the jar with a rubber band. The oil will run through the cheesecloth and leave the solids in the jar. Let the oil drain into a bowl, then pour it right back into the jar once you've removed all the solid pieces.[10]
    • You can leave the cloves in the oil if you want—the oil will just get stronger. However, if the cloves stay in the oil for over a month, add more olive oil before using it so it isn't too potent.
    • It's fine to transfer the clove oil to a different jar as well. A jar with a built-in eyedropper in the lid makes it easier to dispense the oil, but this is entirely optional.
  2. Advertisement
9

Apply the oil to gums or skin as needed.

  1. Clove oil is useful to ease pain, relieve inflammation, and repel bugs. Studies have shown that clove oil is helpful in a lot of different ways. Keep in mind these studies all evaluated commercially prepared clove oil—use homemade oil at your own risk with the understanding that it might not have the effect you want! Here are some things you can try:
  2. Advertisement
10

Use in small doses to avoid toxicity.

  1. Exposure or ingestion in large amounts can damage the liver and kidneys. If you're only using a drop or two of clove oil at a time, you should be fine. Overdoses involve consuming 10 to 30 millilitres (0.34 to 1.01  fl oz) of clove oil at once, which can lead to a decrease of consciousness and coma in just a few hours.[19]
    • You might also have an allergic reaction to clove oil when you apply it directly to your skin, although this isn't common. If you see a rash after applying clove oil, wash your skin thoroughly with soap and warm water and stop using the clove oil.
    • Babies and children overdose on clove oil much more easily than adults.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What are the benefits of clove oil on skin?
    Lorena Barcal
    Lorena Barcal
    Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
    Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry.
    Lorena Barcal
    Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Clove oil is a great essential oil for reducing infections and inflammation. It can reduce pain and be used to treat teeth infections, too.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • As of 2021, there isn't enough scientific information available to recommend an appropriate dose of clove oil. The best dose for you depends on your age and health, as well as other conditions. Consult your healthcare provider before using clove oil, especially if you plan to use it for an extended period of time.[21]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • If you're diabetic, using clove oil while taking diabetes medications can cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely while using clove oil.[22]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Never give clove oil to children. It can cause severe side effects, including seizures and liver damage. Use caution if you're pregnant or nursing.[23]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Avoid clove oil if you have a bleeding disorder. The chemical eugenol slows blood clotting.[24]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • If you take clove oil along with another medication that slows blood clotting, including warfarin and even over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, you might have an increased chance of bleeding and bruising.[25]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

About This Article

Lorena Barcal
Co-authored by:
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
This article was co-authored by Lorena Barcal and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry. This article has been viewed 644,497 times.
54 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 16
Updated: January 21, 2022
Views: 644,497
Categories: Making Essential Oils
Article SummaryX

To make clove oil, begin by placing 10 cloves into a small, dark glass jar and filling the rest of the jar with olive oil. Then, seal the jar tightly and shake it 4 times to make sure the cloves and oils are combined. Next, allow the jar to sit in a cool, dark place for 10 days so the oil can extract the chemical properties from the cloves. Finally, strain out the cloves from the oil through a piece of cheesecloth or a coffee filter before storing or using the clove oil. To learn how to use clove oil to treat a toothache, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement