Cloves are popular in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. They were once inserted whole into an infected cavity or applied as a topical extract to relieve pain and inflammation from a tooth. Eugenol is the chemical that gives clove its spicy scent and pungent flavor. When it’s put on tissues, it creates a warming sensation that Chinese herbalists believe treats yang deficiencies.
Benefits and Uses
Before you use clove oil, you need to dilute it. Clove oil should never be put on your gums undiluted because it can cause irritation and may lead to toxicity. Clove oil can be diluted by adding two to three drops to a neutral carrier oil, such as olive oil or canola oil. Then, the oil preparation can be dabbed onto the affected area with a cotton ball or swab. You can actually keep the cotton ball in place for several minutes to help it absorb better. Once you put the clove oil on, you should feel a slight warming sensation and taste a strong, gun-powdery flavor. The numbing effect is usually fully felt within five to 10 minutes. You can reapply the clove oil every two to three hours as needed. If you have more than one area of mouth pain after a dental procedure, you can add a few drops of clove oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil and swirl it in your mouth to coat it. Just be careful that you do not swallow it.
Side Effects
Clove oil is considered safe if used appropriately, but it can be toxic if you use too much or use it too often. The most common side effect of clove oil is tissue irritation that causes symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, and a burning (rather than warming) sensation.
