4 Ways To Use Cloves For Infection (Clove Oil & Water Extract)

Does using cloves for infection work? Clove oil contains eugenol — a compound that exhibits antifungal and antimicrobial properties and has been shown effective against certain strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium species, Salmonella species, Bacteroides fragilis, and Candida albicans [1] and can also inhibit their growth.

Clove and infection

It is important to know that oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked with several chronic diseases and infections [2, 3, 4]. Interestingly, cloves are rich in antioxidants [5] that combat oxidative stress and also lowers inflammation [6].

This means using cloves extract may help eliminate certain infectious diseases due to the presence of eugenol— a compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.

Clove oil vs Clove water against bacteria

Although many opinions have been raised on the use of clove for infections. However, only a few have pointed out the most effective way or extract that works best against infections. Now let’s look at clove oil vs cloves water extract which is more effective against infection.

According to a study to determine the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activities of clove and thyme extracts. During the study water extract of both plants, as well as their oil extract was used. The result shows that the oil extract of clove and thyme, was more effective against all the tested bacteria, whereas the water extract of both demonstrated lower antimicrobial activity [1].

How to use cloves for infection

Clove has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help fight infections. Here are 4 ways to use clove for infection:

• Application of Clove essential oil
• Intake of Clove tea
• Apply Clove poultice
• Take Clove capsules

Application of Clove essential oil

Dilute a few drops of clove oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to the affected area. You can also add a few drops of clove oil to warm water and use it as a mouthwash for oral infections.

Drink Clove tea

How do you make clove tea for infection?

Boil a few cloves in water and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain the tea and drink it to help fight infections in the digestive system.

Apply Clove poultice

Crush a few cloves and mix them with warm water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and cover it with a clean cloth. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it off.

Take Clove capsules

You can also take clove supplements in the form of capsules. Follow the recommended dosage on the label.

It’s important to note that while clove can help fight infections, it should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a serious infection, it’s important to see a healthcare professional.

What infection can clove extract cure?

You may be a asking similar question like what is clove used to cure? Aside from bacteria and fungi infections, clove extract may help in treating cough, sore throat, and toothache. To use cloves for throat infection, herbal medicine experts suggest that you break 4-5 cloves into smaller pieces and mixed them in 15ml of honey, and allow it for 6 to 7 hours. Filter out and discard the clove particles, then store the solution in a clean container, to be taken 5ml once in the morning, one afternoon, and once at night. Intake of this will help relieve cough and sore throat.

Clove and oral health

The effectiveness of clove extract against bacterial infection also extends to our oral health [7]. According to research, Periodontitis which is popularly known as gum disease, begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and if not properly treated may result in tooth loss due to the destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth.

Interestingly, studies have shown that cloves extract can help inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to gum disease [8]. Additionally, a similar comparative study on the antibacterial effects of herbal mouth rinse made from tea tree oil, clove, and basil, suggests that regular use of herbal mouth rinse as an antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antimicrobial rinse can significantly improve our oral health [9].

Clove extract has been shown effective against:

• Bacteria Infections
• Fungal Infections
• Yeast Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections

Clove oil extract and Bacteria Infections

Clove oil extract can help stop the growth of certain bacteria and also help in treating the infection as its oil extract contains a compound called eugenol which exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial properties [10, 11]. Some studies also pointed out that clove can be combined with other herbs like cinnamon, thyme, and basil to treat a broad range of bacteria [12].

In vivo tests have equally noted that clove oil extract was effective in inhibiting the growth of active gram-negative bacteria such as strains of Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [13].

Similarly, another study has equally confirmed that the combination of clove oil extract with cinnamon can be effective against food-borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria [14].

Clove extract and Fungal Infections

Oil extract from clove has also been noted by several studies to be a potential antifungal agent for a variety of fungal infections and fungal-related symptoms.

HY Chee, MH Lee – Mycobiology in one of their scientific study pointed out that the volatile vapour of clove essential oil was strongly active against all of the fungi they tested. The list of fungi the test was carried on includes dermatophytic fungi like Candida albicans and Epidermophyton floccosum. Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum [15]. This further shows that clove essential oil has antifungal activity and its direct application can help stop the fungicidal activity.

Another related research to know the efficacy of the oil extract of clove combined with cinnamon against certain fungi that causes
postharvest decay of grapes has equally recognized their antifungal activity [16].

According to the study, 6 fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternate, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Phomopsis viticola, and Rhizopus stolonifer were all tested, the result noted that clove oil was effective against all the fungi tested.

A comparative study has also noted that mycotoxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus parasiticus and Fusarium moniliforme can be effectively controlled with the application of clove essential oil, indicating that this was possible due to the eugenol content of clove oil extract. Among the 5 essential oils [that includes cinnamon (cinnamic aldehyde), oregano (thymol and carvacrol), and mace oils (myristin), Neem and eucalyptus oil] that were used during the test. However, clove oil shows the highest level of antifungal effect, followed by cinnamon oil (cinnamic aldehyde) [17].

Cloves and Yeast Infections

Can cloves treat candidiasis?
Some studies have attributed clove’s effect on yeast infection to its eugenol content. Eugenol which can also be classified phenolic component in Clove extract has been pointed out as a potential therapeutic agent that can help curb the activity of Candida species infection.

A supporting study that used oil extract from clove and thyme in testing for the prevention of abiotic surface colonization by Candida species noted that the oil extract of both herbs was effective in preventing abiotic surface colonization of Candida species [18].

One old study that tested clove essential oil on a yeast model Saccharomyces cerevisiae, noted that oils of clove were able to induce surface alteration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which lead to their death [19].

Cloves and Urinary Tract Infections

Lastly on the list of infections that can be treated with the help and applications of Clove essential oil extract is Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Clove extract has been proven to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent.

Several studies have equally pointed out its efficacy against bacterial infection. For instance, a test tube experiment to compare the antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of clove with that of its essential oil. The result showed that the ethanolic extract of clove demonstrated a broad-spectrum inhibition against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens linked with Urinary Tract Infections.

Incomparism, the test noted that the ethanolic extract of clove has a stronger antimicrobial and antioxidative effect compared to its essential oil extract [20].

Additionally, the Department of Urology at Zagazig University hospitals in Egypt, experimented on 100 samples of urine, from patients examined for urinary tract infection. Among the urinary tract infection-causing pathogens identified were Escherichia coli which was predominant, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The result showed clove antibacterial activity effective against the tested pathogens [21].

FINAL WORDS
Are you still asking if using cloves for infection treatment works? Clove extract is effective against a variety of infections, including bacterial, fungal, and yeast infections. It has also been shown to be effective in treating urinary tract infections. The active ingredient in clove extract, eugenol, is responsible for its antimicrobial properties, as demonstrated in many studies as a potential antimicrobial agent that can help treat;

1. Bacterial infections
2. Fungal infections
3. Yeast infections
4. Urinary tract infections

Please note that this is not medical advice. If you are experiencing an infection, please consult with a healthcare professional.