Herbs (Global Traditional) · Southeast Asian
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) (Syzygium aromaticum)
Moderate Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) contains eugenol as its primary bioactive compound, comprising 70-90% of its essential oil. Eugenol exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes and modulates immune function through T-cell suppression and B-cell enhancement.
Clove derives from the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum (family Myrtaceae), native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia but now cultivated in tropical regions like India, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The buds are harvested before flowering and typically extracted via steam distillation for essential oil or solvent extraction (e.g., ethanol or water) for crude extracts, with essential oils comprising 10-20% of bud weight.
The research dossier reveals a critical gap: no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on clove were identified in the search results. Available evidence is limited to preclinical studies including in vitro experiments using mouse splenocytes (n=6-8 week Balb/c mice) and animal models testing anti-inflammatory effects. No PubMed PMIDs for human studies were found.
No clinically studied human dosages available from RCTs. Preclinical data only: In vitro studies used 0.001-1000 μg/mL clove extracts; animal anti-inflammatory studies used essential oil 0.05-0.20 mL/kg or ethanol bud extract 50-200 mg/kg (rodent LD50: 565.7 mg/kg). No standardization for eugenol content specified. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Ground clove (per 100g dry weight): Calories ~274 kcal, Carbohydrates ~65g (including ~33g dietary fiber, making it one of the highest fiber spices by weight), Protein ~6g, Fat ~13g (predominantly omega-6 linoleic acid ~1.8g and omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid ~0.4g). Key micronutrients: Manganese exceptionally high at ~60mg/100g (>2600% DV, highest of any common spice), Vitamin K ~141.8µg/100g (~118% DV), Magnesium ~259mg/100g (~65% DV), Calcium ~632mg/100g (~63% DV), Iron ~11.8mg/100g (~66% DV), Potassium ~1020mg/100g, Vitamin C ~80.8mg/100g (degrades significantly with heat/storage), Vitamin E ~8.8mg/100g. Bioactive compounds: Eugenol dominates at 72-90% of essential oil content (approximately 150-200mg eugenol per gram of whole clove), functioning as the primary pharmacologically active constituent; Eugenol acetate ~5-15% of essential oil; Beta-caryophyllene ~5-12% of essential oil (also a CB2 receptor agonist); Acetyl eugenol; Gallic acid ~0.5-1.2mg/g dry weight; Ellagic acid present in measurable quantities; Quercetin and kaempferol as flavonoid glycosides at low mg/100g levels; Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid as triterpenes. Polyphenol content extremely high at ~15,000-16,000mg GAE/100g dry weight, consistently ranking among the highest ORAC values of any food (~290,000 µmol TE/100g). Bioavailability notes: Eugenol is rapidly absorbed via gastrointestinal mucosa but undergoes first-pass hepatic metabolism; sulfation and glucuronidation are primary conjugation pathways limiting systemic bioavailability; fat co-ingestion modestly enhances absorption of lipophilic terpenoids; typical culinary doses (0.5-2g per serving) deliver approximately 75-300mg eugenol, far below experimental pharmacological doses used in most in vitro studies; manganese bioavailability from plant sources is moderate (~5-10%) due to phytate interactions within the spice matrix itself.
Eugenol, clove's primary active compound, inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. It also modulates immune responses by suppressing T-helper cell proliferation while enhancing B-cell expansion through effects on cytokine signaling pathways. Additionally, eugenol disrupts bacterial cell membranes and interferes with cellular respiration in microorganisms.
Animal studies demonstrate clove essential oil's anti-inflammatory effects at 0.05-0.20 mL/kg doses, showing comparable efficacy to indomethacin in reducing inflammation markers. In vitro studies reveal immunomodulatory activity at 100-1000 μg/mL concentrations, with significant T-cell proliferation suppression and B-cell enhancement. However, evidence remains limited to preliminary animal models and cell culture studies. No large-scale human clinical trials have been conducted to establish therapeutic efficacy or optimal dosing protocols.
Clove oil can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and mucous membrane irritation when applied topically in high concentrations. Eugenol may interact with anticoagulant medications by enhancing bleeding risk due to its antiplatelet effects. High doses can cause liver toxicity and central nervous system depression. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid therapeutic doses beyond normal culinary use due to insufficient safety data.
