Natural remedies are making a strong comeback in modern households, and one particularly potent combination is cloves mixed with alcohol. This traditional remedy, used in folk medicine for centuries, offers a wide range of applications—from treating pain and infections to promoting oral health and improving digestion.
Let’s explore the incredible benefits of this natural duo, how it works, and how to prepare it safely.
🌿 What Are Cloves?
Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are aromatic flower buds native to Indonesia. Known for their warm, sweet scent and powerful medicinal compounds, cloves are rich in:
- Eugenol (a powerful antiseptic and anesthetic)
- Flavonoids
- Tannins
- Essential oils
These compounds give cloves their strong antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
🧪 Why Alcohol?
Alcohol—typically ethyl alcohol or high-proof grain alcohol—is often used in tinctures and extracts because:
- It acts as a solvent, extracting beneficial compounds from herbs.
- It preserves the final product for long-term storage.
- It enhances absorption into the body when used externally or taken in small, controlled doses internally.
💡 Top Benefits of Mixing Cloves with Alcohol
1. Natural Pain Reliever
Clove alcohol can act as a powerful analgesic when applied topically:
- Helps relieve muscle pain, joint stiffness, and arthritis.
- Eugenol acts as a natural anesthetic, numbing pain and reducing inflammation.
- Backed by a study in Phytotherapy Research (2014) which highlighted eugenol’s effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal discomfort.
2. Antiseptic and Antibacterial Tonic
Used as a disinfectant for minor cuts, wounds, or insect bites:
- Fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- A 2020 study published in Molecules confirmed the antimicrobial power of clove oil and alcohol-based extracts.
3. Toothache and Oral Health Treatment
For decades, dentists have used clove oil to relieve dental pain:
- Clove alcohol applied with a cotton swab can help numb toothaches, treat gum infections, and reduce inflammation.
- Helps fight bacteria causing bad breath and plaque buildup.
4. Digestive Aid (in Small Quantities)
Consumed as a tincture (in very small, diluted doses), it may:
- Stimulate digestion
- Relieve bloating, gas, and indigestion
- Reduce nausea
⚠️ Note: Always consult a doctor before ingesting homemade tinctures.
5. Skin Cleanser and Acne Remedy
Clove-alcohol tincture can be used as a natural toner:
- Kills acne-causing bacteria
- Helps reduce oily skin
- Promotes skin healing and reduces redness
6. Insect Repellent
Clove’s strong scent and chemical compounds make it a great:
- Natural bug repellent
- Ant-fighter when sprayed in problem areas
🧪 Scientific Studies Supporting These Benefits
- Eugenol, the main active compound in cloves, has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects (National Institutes of Health, 2012).
- A 2017 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found clove essential oil to be effective against Candida albicans, a common fungal infection.
- Research in Dental Research Journal supports clove’s role in dental pain relief and oral bacteria control.
