The properties of cloves, clove oil and isolated constituents of the flower buds have been studied in great detail, demonstrating local anesthetic, antispasmodic and antiseptic effects. According to various works, cloves are also supposed to have antifungal (directed against fungi) and antiviral effects, especially against herpes viruses, and exert inhibitory influence on oral microorganisms.
Anti-inflammatory effects of cloves.
Besides, the anti-inflammatory effect of cloves has been known for a long time. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can be explained by an inhibition of the synthesis of so-called prostaglandins by eugenol. Prostaglandins are a group of tissue hormones that are responsible, among other things, for mediating pain and act as mediators of the inflammatory response.
Cloves: side effects
Clove oil in concentrated form can be irritating to tissues. Currently, cloves are not known to interact with other agents.
