Two cloves every day? This is what you should keep in mind when it comes to the trend

Cloves are not only a popular spice, they are also said to have many health benefits. However, it is better to avoid this trend.

Ideal for high blood sugar, digestive problems or even cancer: if you believe the reports on social media, two cloves a day can do almost anything. But what is the truth behind these claims? And does the trend perhaps even pose any dangers?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), which grows in many developed countries. The buds are rich in valuable ingredients such as essential oils and antioxidants such as flavonoids. The most important ingredient is eugenol, a component of the essential oil and a so-called pungent substance that is responsible for the typical aroma of cloves.

Cloves consist of about 15 percent essential oils and six to 12 percent other oils. Cloves also contain ten to 20 percent tannins. If you eat the cloves whole, they also provide fiber and micronutrients.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two grams of cloves contain approximately:

For two cloves (about 0.1 to 0.6 grams), the content of fiber, minerals and vitamin K is very low. The extremely positive properties of cloves are therefore mainly based on the essential oils and antioxidants. They are said to help with the following problems:

Even though the above-mentioned complaints cannot be treated with cloves, or at least not with any certainty, the spice is still popular in the cosmetics industry and medicine. Both the dried cloves and the clove oil work

For these reasons, cloves are often used for bacterial or viral inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, as well as for pain relief from toothache or gum problems. The active ingredients of cloves are usually found in a defined concentration in mouthwashes, gels, creams or oils for external use. Too many of these active ingredients can also be harmful.

For internal use, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared 2.5 milligrams of clove oil per kilogram of body weight to be safe. Above this amount, the eugenol in cloves in particular can damage the liver and kidneys. And here lies the problem with the advice to eat two cloves a day: you have no way of knowing how much clove oil is in them. Dr. Modlo of the Cleveland Clinic describes it like this: “Consuming cloves in small amounts in food is not harmful. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support its use for medicinal purposes.”

The Herbal Medicinal Products Committee (HMPC) also recommends that you do not take cloves and clove products for longer than a week without medical advice. If you still want to use cloves or clove oil for a sore throat or toothache, you should only do so for a few days. It is also best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Raw cloves or clove oil can also be toxic or harmful for certain people and should be avoided altogether. These include:

The eugenol and antioxidants in cloves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects to a certain extent. Therefore, cloves and clove products are mainly used to treat inflammation and pain in the mouth and throat. However, eating two cloves a day is not recommended – especially not over a long period of time. Because you cannot know how high the concentration of the active ingredients in the cloves is. And in larger quantities, these can cause skin irritation and allergies, as well as liver damage and adverse interactions with other medications.