Clove Tea: Recipe and Health Benefits
- Star Moore
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Clove tea is a warm, flavorful, and aromatic drink made from the dried flower buds of the clove tree. It's chock-full of health benefits that have been appreciated in traditional medicine in various cultures for centuries. This post explores the advantages of incorporating this simple drink into your daily routine and provides a quick guide for preparing it at home.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Eugenol, one of the bioactive components found in cloves, is responsible for their distinct aroma and several healing properties (i.e., supporting digestion, reducing inflammation, regulating hormones, and more). Depending on what benefit(s) you want to get out it will determine the timing and frequency of consumption.
Antioxidants & Antimicrobial
Rich in antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, drinking clove tea regularly can support overall health by reducing oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and chronic diseases.¹ The antimicrobials also help the body fight off infection and clear respiratory congestion, making it a perfect cozy drink during cold and flu season when your immune system could use some additional support.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the culprit behind muscle soreness and arthritis pain, and has been linked to several autoimmune and mental health disorders. I'll create a separate post about this soon! Daily consumption of clove tea can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Blood Sugar Control
Nigericin, an antibiotic found in clove, has been shown to aid in the management of insulin resistance and controlling blood sugar. Drinking clove tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning can help normalize insulin levels, or you can drink it after meals to reduce blood sugar spikes.
Detox
Cloves are great for a gentle cleanse, thanks to the antimicrobial properties that can help kill parasite eggs in the gut and the antioxidants that boost liver function so that it can process out the toxins. Additionally, its warming properties aid metabolic health, further helping with the detoxification process and improving energy levels. HOWEVER, you must take a binder (e.g., activated charcoal) 1 - 2 hours after meals and medications when doing a cleanse to prevent the reabsorption of toxins. Personally, I like to take mine before bed.
Digestive Health
Clove tea helps with bloating, gas, and indigestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. Drinking clove tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can jumpstart your digestion for the day, and drinking it after eating can help with discomfort after meals.
Oral Health
The antibacterial properties of clove tea can help reduce bacteria and plaque, preventing bad breath and gum disease/gingivitis. It's also a natural analgesic¹ (pain reliever) and can temporarily soothe toothaches and dental pain, although you may want to opt for applying clove oil for fast-acting results. I've also seen people chew 1-2 cloves or rub them directly onto the gums.
Sexual Health
It varies based on sex, and most studies have used clove oil² rather than tea due to its increased potency; however, there are several accounts, myself included, of women using clove tea to reduce PMS, PCOS, menopausal symptoms, and endometriosis (which is drastically understudied... it's giving sexism). This could be a result of eugenol's ability to regulate reproductive hormones (e.g., LH, FSH, progesterone, estradiol, prolactin).
Recipe
Ingredients
2-4 Organic cloves per cup of water
1 Cup of filtered or spring water
Optional:
Raw, unfiltered honey (to taste)
Organic lemon or orange
Organic cinnamon (stick or powder)
Organic ginger (peel; smash or slice)
Instructions
Boil water
Add cloves (ginger and cinnamon stick) to boiling water
Simmer for 7-10 minutes to allow the cloves to release their flavor and beneficial compounds
Strain tea into a cup
(OPTIONAL) Stir in honey to sweeten, a touch of cinnamon if using powder instead of a stick, and/or squeeze a little bit of lemon/orange in for extra vitamin C and digestive health
Enjoy
Notes & Tips
I am Black, so I let the ancestors guide my hand when it comes to the measurements of all ingredients except for cloves. The ancestors (and Google) confirmed that cloves are very potent, and consuming too much can cause liver damage.
Can you substitute whole ingredients for powder or non-organic ingredients? Yes, but it won't taste as good and will contain fewer health benefits, if any, given how poisoned U.S. produce is...
Adjust steeping time based on your preference: longer steeping results in a more intense flavor.
Cinnamon and ginger also contain a lot of health benefits, so the combo makes for a great anti-inflammatory tea
When to Drink Clove Tea
It can be consumed daily, multiple times during the day, although I like to err on the side of caution and stick to no more than twice a day. I recommend first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for digestion and detox, and either a cup after lunch if you experience indigestion or after dinner to aid digestion and to wind down before bed. Try for at least 7 days to see how your body responds, and remember that this won't fix a bad diet and poor exercise.
Precautions and Considerations
While clove tea is generally safe for most people, as with anything, consume it in moderation. Consult with your physician/healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements, especially pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with diabetes. Certain medications, such as diabetes medication and blood thinners, can interact with clove, although this is usually the case with clove oil due to the high concentration of eugenol. While this does NOT replace a consultation with your doctor, this website can give you an idea of some commonly known interactions with clove.
Personal Experience
I've struggled with Hashimoto's disease for the past 6 years, which has resulted in fatigue, IBS, and an irregular menstrual cycle with month-long PMS. When I tell you that I added this bad boy to my daily morning routine about two weeks ago, and within 7 days, got my period after a grueling month of bloating and weight gain, lost inches off my waist, and had more energy... it was a game changer. Mind you, I also made some diet changes and did at least 30 minutes of exercise/walking most days that week, but I could feel my body responding to the tea. I've tried several teas and activities over the years to induce my period, but this was the first time that it actually worked!
Remember, herbal medicine is meant to supplement, not replace, a healthy lifestyle.
Give it a go and let me know what you think!
References
¹ Cortés-Rojas, D. F., de Souza, C. R., & Oliveira, W. P. (2014). Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a
precious spice. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 4(2), 90–96.
²Taghipour, Z., Bahmanzadeh, M., & Rahimi, R. (2023). The effects of clove and its constituents on
reproductive system: A comprehensive review. Reproductive Sciences, 30, 2591–2614.
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