Oil of cloves, also known as Clove oil, is an essential oil from the clove plant, Syzygium aromaticum. It is a natural analgaesic and antiseptic used primarily in dentistry for its main ingredient eugenol. It can also be purchased in pharmacies over the counter, as a home remedy for dental pain relief, mainly toothache; it is also often found in the aromatherapy section of health food stores.
Clove Oil

The oil produced by cloves can be used in many things from flavouring medicine to remedies for bronchitis, the common cold, a cough, fever, sore throat and tending to infections. The main oil-producing countries are Madagascar and Indonesia.There are three types of clove oil:

• Bud oil is derived form the flower-buds of S.aromaticum. It consists of 60-90% eugenol, eugenyl acetate, caryophyllene and other minor constituents.
• Leaf oil is derived from the leaves of S.aromaticum. It consists of 82-88% eugenol with little or no eugenyl acetate, and minor constituents.
• Stem oil is derived from the twigs of S.aromaticum. It consists of 90-95% eugenol, with other minor constituents.

Oral use :

    »    Oil of cloves is known best for its anaesthetic properties. It is widely reported to be effective, and prior to the availability of anaesthetic drugs, was used by some dentists.

    »    Clove oil is often used to relieve pain caused by dry socket, a possible complication of tooth extraction.

Toxicity :

It is considered safe in very small quantities as a food additive However, clove oil is toxic to human cells. If ingested in sufficient quantity or injected, it has been shown to cause life-threatening complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, fulminant hepatic (liver) failure, and central nervous system depression; the lethal oral dose is 3.752 g per kg body weigh.

Topical use :

When applied to stop a toothache, a cotton swab - applied directly to the infection site - or a very small piece of oil-soaked tissue paper is placed directly on or in the tooth, to allow for the oil to absorb into the affected area. Clove oil has antimicrobial and antifungal uses. It can be used for acne, warts, scars and parasites.