Antioxidant Protection and Healing Benefits of Clove Oil

By Ashley Stone

June 2015 Publication in Natural Awakenings

Free radicals create cellular damage and start a process known as oxidation, where fatty acids stored in cell membranes and body fat become rancid. This can lead to a hardening of the arteries and can damage cellular DNA. This causes improper cell replication and cell mutations which are the early stages of cancers. Excessive amounts of free radicals also leads to premature aging, diabetic complications and inflammation. The body requires a certain number of free radicals to act as messengers to activate the body’s defenses. However, when free radicals are left unchecked by antioxidants the immune system suffers.

Clove is proven to be a powerful antioxidant and cell protector, particularly for the liver and kidneys. It is one of the most important herbs in traditional medicine, having a wide spectrum of biological activity. Research at Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences, in Delhi, India have discovered that clove essential oil increases the primary, as well as secondary humoral immune response due to its incredible blood purification properties. Humoral immunity deals with infectious agents in your blood and body tissues. Clove oil discriminately attacks germs, cleansing your body from harmful toxins and microbes such as candida and ringworm. Compared to the commercial antifungal drugs available over-the-counter, clove oil serves as a safe and inexpensive treatment.

Clove, the spice, has been discovered to help prevent adult onset diabetes by tripling insulin levels, thereby keeping the blood sugar levels under control. Including cloves in your daily diet can prevent the onset of diabetes. The essential oil can help with nerve damage caused by diabetes. Increasing blood circulation, cloves enhance the body’s metabolism.

Cloves are one of the highest sources of manganese. Vital for metabolism, manganese contributes enzymes, promotes bone strength, and also adds to clove’s high ORAC antioxidant value, which is over 10 million! Most other antioxidants don’t even come near this level. An ounce of clove oil has the antioxidant capacity of 450 lbs of carrots, 120 quarts of blueberries or 48 gallons of beet juice!

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Clove essential oil’s major phytochemical is eugenol which has been shown to prevent toxicity from environmental pollutants like carbon tetrachloride, prevent cancer, particularly digestive tract cancers and reduce joint inflammation. Used as an antiseptic in oral infections, it inhibits bacteria. It can also help prevent colds and flu, and act as an expectorant, making it easier to cough up phlegm.  It can ward off mosquitoes and can be effectively used to treat cuts, fungal infections, burns, wounds, and bruises. Clove oil can help with male reproductive problems and can help men with pre-ejaculation issues. Research shows treatment with clove oil decreased depression and enhanced muscle coordination, similar to that exhibited by psychostimulant drugs. Clove essential oil can relieve mental exhaustion, encourage sleep, prompt dreams and create a sense of protection and courage.

Methyl salicylate found in clove oil, offers natural pain relief, that has been used to make drugs such as aspirin and can be effective for everything from toothaches to painful menstrual periods.

Keep in mind that the oil is very strong and can cause irritation if used in its pure form. Dilution is recommended when used topically. I only recommend essential oils that have been multiple third party tested for purity and potency.

Antioxidant Protection and Healing Benefits of Clove Oil