Clove is an herb that has many benefits, including reducing pain, according to Medline Plus. Although cloves may help certain conditions, clove cigarettes and excessive use of the clove component, eugenol, are thought to increase your heart rate and produce other potentially dangerous side effects, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and The New York Times. Clove supplements should only be used after consulting with your doctor.
Cloves
The oils, dried flower buds, leaves and stems of the clove have been used for centuries for their medicinal and culinary benefits. The clove, or caryophyllus, is a tall, evergreen plant that grows in warm climates, according to the Drugs website. Cloves are raised for commercial use in places, such as Tanzania, Sumatra and the Maluku Islands as well as in South America. Consult your doctor before using cloves to treat any condition.
Components
Cloves contain an abundance of healthy nutrients, according to the website Organic Facts. The clove is reportedly mineral-rich and contains vitamins A and C, as well. Clove bud oil contains 60 to 90 percent of the chemical eugenol, reports the Drugs website. Eugenol is said to have analgesic and antiseptic properties--and has been used in dentistry for years, states Organic Facts. Though believed beneficial, seek a doctor's advice before using cloves.
Purpose
Cloves can be used in several ways. According to Medline Plus, cloves are useful for the treatment of intestinal problems including gas, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Cloves are used topically to ease painful gums and teeth, and also for the relief of mouth and throat inflammation, states Medline Plus. Additionally, clove components are found in toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes. As with any alternative treatment, cloves should only be used under the supervision of your doctor.
Clove Cigarettes
While some people believe clove cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, an August 2003 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, appears to undermine this belief. The NIDA discovered that clove cigarettes increased the systolic blood pressure and heart rates of smokers and also produced other negative health effects commonly associated with smoking. However, the NIDA states that the clove cigarette construction as well as the manner in which it is smoked contributed to the findings.
Precautions
Although considered safe when used in small amounts, the excessive use of clove oil, or the use of clove cigarettes, may lead to an increased heart rate and other side effects. The frequent application of clove oil in the mouth can lead to damaged gums, skin and mucus membranes, according to Medline Plus. In addition, cloves may inhibit blood clotting in some individuals. An overdose of the clove component eugenol may produce dangerous effects, such as a rapid heart beat, breathing difficulties, digestive disturbances and urinary problems, states a Nov. 15, 2010, article in The New York Times.
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