Clove Oil

Syzygium aromaticum

Myrtaceae - Myrtle Family

The clove tree, a fragrant evergreen growing up to nine meters tall, originated in the Spice Islands and in Madagascar. The best clove oil is extracted from the bud and the stem. It takes 450 kg. of material to obtain 5 liters of oil. Eighteen hours is the amount of time needed to distill the oil at a temperature of 229 degrees with a pressure of 10 lbs. (Essential Oils Desk Reference)

Clove oil is a powerful antiseptic used for infections and has been known to prevent contagious diseases. Two stories from history illustrate this..

During the disastrous 15th-century plague in Europe, four thieves became quite famous since they were able to rob dead victims and not succumb themselves. They were arrested but managed to gain their freedom by explaining how they were able to overcome the effects of the plague. It seems that they rubbed a combination of oils on their bodies for protection, one of which was clove. Today we would explain the reason for the thieves' success by describing clove oil as microbial, antiseptic and bacteriostatic.

Another story shows the direct effect of the clove tree on the health of the population. Several wars were fought as the European nations aggressively sought control of the Spice trade. The Portuguese were first to claim the Spice Islands in the 16th century only to have the Dutch conquer and expel them 100 years later. Then the Dutch decided to manipulate the price of cloves by limiting the harvest to two islands. All other trees were dug up and burned.

After the clove trees were destroyed, the islanders, who had previously been free from epidemics, now succumbed to them. Dutch soldiers also became ill and needed to be sent home after only six months of duty.

Clove oil is also analgesic. Its principal constituent is eugenol, which is used by dentists to numb their patients' gums as well as for treating infection. Clove oil has also been used to sterilize surgical instruments and hospital operating rooms. Jean Valnet, MD, states that cloves were regarded as a "panacea for centuries" and could be used more in medicine today.