Despite the benefits, cloves can also be harmful in certain ways. For example, eugenol, a compound found in cloves, may cause allergies (1). This article examines the side effects of cloves, their safety, recommended dosage, and any potential drug interactions. Take a look below.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cloves?
1. Can Increase Bleeding
Cloves can increase the risk of bleeding by enhancing the effects of blood-thinning medications, like Warfarin (2). Cloves also interfere with other antiplatelet medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, heparin, and ticlopidine. This also increases the risk of bleeding (3).
2. Might Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much
Cloves help lower blood sugar (4). In a study, clove was found to sustain antihyperglycemic activity for a long time. This is good news, especially for individuals dealing with diabetes. But there is a possibility that the spice can lower your blood sugar levels way too much, especially if you are on diabetes medications. There is no data available to determine if cloves can lower blood sugar levels way too much. But if you are on diabetes medications, please talk to your doctor before taking cloves.
3. Can Cause Allergies
The eugenol in cloves can cause allergies. The compound reacts directly with body proteins and causes contact dermatitis. It can also cause localized irritation (1). Cloves may also cause respiratory allergies in a few individuals. This was especially true in the case of workers involved in the spice (clove) processing factories, who inhaled the spice dust. Irritation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and impaired lung functioning were two of the major symptoms (5). The eugenol in cloves might also irritate the oral cavity. Individuals consuming too much of it can experience sensations of warmth and pain in the mouth (6). Jesse Feder, a registered dietitian, says, “Cloves can irritate soft tissue, such as the skin found in our mouth, and this can lead to mouth ulcers.”
4. Can Be Toxic
Clove (or the oil) toxicity has been documented in some instances. The oil was found to cause coma, fits, and acute liver damage (7). In the study, a 2-year-old boy administered with 5 and 10 ml of clove oil had slipped into a deep coma in 3 hours. Though more research is being done on the toxicity of clove oil, there is information on essential oils in general – a group clove oil also belongs to. Essential oils, as a group, may cause fits, coma, renal failure, and even hypoglycemia when used in excess (7). In addition, cloves may affect sperm health. Isabella Bazzarro, a registered dietician, says, “Some limited data suggests cloves may have a negative effect on sperm health and motility.” She also adds, “One study found that clove oil (a component of cloves) had a significant negative impact on sperm movement and viability. Additionally, another study showed that consuming large amounts of cloves (more than 1 gram per day) was associated with reduced sperm count and motility. However, it’s important to note that these studies were relatively small, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.” Cloves have powerful properties. But like any other ingredient, they can cause serious effects if consumed in excess. Hence, it is essential to be aware of the acceptable dosage limits of clove.
How Many Cloves Can You Take In A Day?
According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable daily dosage of clove oil per day is 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight (8). Anything beyond this can cause complications. Can I drink clove water every day? Take a look at the infographic below to acquaint yourself with its major side effects to avoid a possible trip to your doctor. Yes, you can drink clove water every day, but in moderation. Drinking it once every day is ideal. Is it good to chew cloves? Yes, it is good to chew cloves. However, you should only consume the acceptable daily dose of 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Can cloves make you sleepy? Though there are not enough scientific studies to support this claim, many suggest using clove oil to induce sleep. You may apply 2-3 drops of clove oil to the forehead and massage it before going to bed for better sleep. Does clove increase blood pressure? No, clove does not raise blood pressure. In fact, it has potassium that helps control blood pressure (9).
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