Clove Oil: The Complete Guide to Its Effects, Benefits & Use

Clove oil is a powerful and aromatic essential oil with a warm, spicy and characteristic scent. The oil is extracted from the clove plant, botanically known as Syzygium aromaticum, and is widely used in aromatherapy, massage, natural care, and scent blends.

But what exactly is clove oil? What is clove essential oil made from, what does the oil smell like, and what can you use clove oil for? And how can you safely dilute this concentrated essential oil for use on the skin?

In this complete guide, you'll learn everything about clove oil, its properties, applications, combinations with other oils, and its use for skin, hair, massage, and aromatherapy.

What is clove oil?

Clove oil is an aromatic essential oil extracted from parts of the clove plant (Syzygium aromaticum). The plant belongs to the myrtle family and is best known for its dried flower buds, which we know in the kitchen as cloves.

A highly concentrated essential oil can be obtained from the plant material through distillation. This oil is called clove essential oil and is also known internationally as clove essential oil or clove oil.

The scent is significantly more concentrated than that of dried cloves. Therefore, usually only a few drops are needed for aromatic applications.

Where does clove oil come from?

The clove tree is a tropical, evergreen tree. Cloves are the dried flower buds of this plant.

Cloves have a long history as a spice and aromatic raw material. Today, the plant is cultivated in various tropical regions, and the cloves are used both as a spice and for the production of essential oil.

The precise scent, color, and composition of natural clove oil can vary slightly depending on factors such as origin, harvest, and production method.

How is clove oil made?

Clove essential oil is typically obtained by steam distillation of plant material from the clove plant.

The process can be simplified as follows:

1. The plant material is collected and prepared.
2. Steam is passed through the material.
3. The volatile aromatic components move with the steam.
4. The vapor is cooled and condensed.
5. The essential oil is separated from the water.

The result is a highly concentrated aromatic oil. Therefore, clove oil is not comparable to a common vegetable carrier oil.

What does clove oil smell like?

The scent of clove oil is usually described as warm, spicy, intense, sweet-spicy, and slightly woody.

The aroma is recognizable as clove, but significantly stronger and fuller than the scent of the dried spice.

Due to its warm character, clove oil blends well with spicy and woody scent combinations. The oil can also be combined with fresh citrus scents to create a more balanced scent profile.

What's in clove oil?

Essential oils consist of various natural volatile aromatic substances. An important component often associated with clove oil is eugenol.

The exact proportion of natural components can vary between oils and batches. Factors such as the plant part used, the origin, and the distillation method can influence the final profile.

What is clove oil good for?

Clove oil is primarily used for its powerful spicy aroma and versatility in aromatic and care applications.

Common applications of clove oil include:

• use in a diffuser;
• adding to scent blends;
• diluted use in massage oil;
• diluted use in skincare;
• adding to hair and scalp oil;
• incorporating into homemade care products;
• combining with other essential oils.

Which application is suitable depends on the type of product and the instructions for use. Dilution is especially important when applying to the skin.

Clove oil and aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, clove oil is particularly valued for its distinct warm and spicy scent.

You can use the oil on its own, but due to the intensity of its aroma, clove is often combined in small amounts with other essential oils.

For example, you can use clove oil in warm, woody, spicy, or citrusy scent blends.

Clove oil in a diffuser

A simple way to experience the scent of clove oil is with an aroma diffuser. Add a small amount to the water reservoir according to your diffuser's instructions.

Because the scent of clove oil is quite powerful, it's best to start with a small amount. You can then add more if you want a more intense scent.

Clove oil for the skin

Clove oil can be incorporated in small amounts into natural skincare products. It is important to remember that this is a highly concentrated essential oil.

Therefore, do not simply use clove oil neat on the skin. For skin use, the essential oil is first diluted in a suitable carrier oil.

Examples of carrier oils with which clove oil can be mixed are jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, and grapeseed oil.

How to dilute clove oil?

If you want to use clove oil on the skin, you mix a small amount of essential oil with a much larger amount of carrier oil.

For clove oil, it is advisable to dose conservatively and start with a low concentration. The correct amount depends, among other things, on the application, the product used, and the person using it.

Therefore, always follow the safety and usage instructions provided with your clove oil.

Can you use clove oil directly on the skin?

It is not recommended to apply concentrated clove essential oil directly to the skin.

Essential oils contain highly concentrated aromatic components. Clove oil can also irritate the skin at too high a concentration.

Therefore, first mix the oil with a suitable carrier oil and use only a small amount.

Clove oil for the face

Facial skin is generally more sensitive than many other parts of the body. Therefore, the use of powerful essential oils on the face requires extra caution.

If you want to incorporate clove oil into a facial product, choose a very low concentration and a suitable base oil.

For the face, for example, jojoba oil, argan oil, apricot kernel oil, and grapeseed oil are widely used as carrier oils.

Clove oil for the hair

Clove oil can also be incorporated into a hair oil or scalp oil. Again, do not use the essential oil as a base, but only add a small amount to a carrier oil.

For example, you can combine clove oil with jojoba oil, argan oil, or castor oil. Then apply the diluted mixture in small amounts to the hair or scalp.

If desired, let an oil treatment soak in for some time and then carefully wash the hair with shampoo.

Clove oil for the scalp

Those who want to use clove oil for the scalp should always do so diluted. The scalp can react sensitively to highly concentrated essential oils.

Therefore, start with a low concentration and first test the mixture on a small area of the skin.

For a scalp oil, you can combine clove, for example, with a neutral carrier oil such as jojoba oil.

Clove oil as a massage oil

The warm scent of clove oil also makes it interesting for massage blends.

However, essential clove oil is not a massage oil in itself. For massage, mix a few drops with a much larger amount of carrier oil.

Suitable base oils include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or argan oil.

Combining clove oil with other essential oils

Due to its warm and spicy character, clove oil combines well with various scent profiles.

Popular combinations include:

• orange oil – sweet, fresh and citrusy;
• cinnamon oil – warm and distinctly spicy;
• frankincense oil – warm, woody and resinous;
• lavender oil – softer and more floral;
• eucalyptus oil – fresh and powerful;
• peppermint oil – cool and fresh;
• rosemary oil – spicy and aromatic;
• lemon oil – bright and citrusy.

When making a scent blend, start with small amounts. Clove can quickly overpower other aromas due to its powerful scent.

Clove oil and cinnamon oil

Clove oil and cinnamon oil both have a distinctly warm and spicy scent profile. As a result, they are regularly used together in scent combinations.

The combination creates a full, warm scent. Because both essential oils are powerful, a small amount is usually sufficient.

Clove oil and orange oil

Another well-known scent combination is clove oil with orange oil. The fresh and sweeter citrus scent forms a clear contrast to the warm spicy aroma of clove.

This combination is particularly suitable if you want to make a spicy blend fresher and lighter.

Clove oil and frankincense oil

For a warmer and deeper scent profile, you can combine clove oil with frankincense oil.

The spicy character of clove is complemented by the woody and resinous notes of frankincense.

Clove oil versus cloves

Clove oil and ordinary cloves come from the same plant, but they are not the same products.

Cloves are dried flower buds used, among other things, as a spice.

Clove essential oil is a highly concentrated aromatic product obtained from plant material of the clove plant.

A bottle of clove oil should therefore not be used in the same way as dried cloves.

Is clove oil the same as clove oil?

Yes. Clove oil is the English name often used for clove oil.

On English-language packaging and product pages, you may also encounter terms such as clove essential oil.

When purchasing, always check the product information and botanical name, as this more clearly indicates which product it is.

What should you look for when buying clove oil?

If you want to buy clove oil, there are several characteristics you can look for.

• Check if it is actually an essential oil.
• Look at the botanical name of the plant used.
• Check which plant part was used for the oil.
• If stated, check the production method.
• Read the ingredients list.
• Check the usage and safety instructions.
• Preferably choose a well-sealed dark glass bottle.

A clear product description makes it easier to compare different types of clove oil.

How to store clove oil?

Store clove oil in a cool, dry, and dark place. Prolonged exposure to heat, light, and air can affect the quality of essential oils.

Therefore, close the bottle tightly immediately after use and do not store it for long periods in direct sunlight or next to a heat source.

Also, keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Using clove oil safely

Because clove oil is highly concentrated, careful use is important.

• Only use clove oil on the skin when sufficiently diluted.
• Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
• Do not use more oil than necessary.
• First test a skin mixture on a small patch of skin.
• Always follow the usage instructions of the specific product.
• Keep the oil out of reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions about Clove Oil