Clove

You should not use this product if you are allergic to clove.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take clove by mouth or use it on the skin if you have:

• liver disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;

• a weak immune system; or

• plant or food allergies.

The use of clove as a flavoring agent in foods is considered safe during pregnancy. However, it is not known whether clove used as medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether clove passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Clove oil taken by mouth can cause liver damage, seizure (convulsions), or other serious side effects in children.

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use clove, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

If you use a product containing clove to prevent premature ejaculation, apply it only to the outer skin of the tip of your penis. People who have used clove for this purpose have applied the product 1 hour before sexual activity, and washed it off just before intercourse.

Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of clove at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.

Do not take topical (for the skin) clove by mouth. Topical forms of this product are for use only on the skin.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with clove does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

Clove can affect blood-clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking clove at least 2 weeks ahead of time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Clove is an herb also known as Bourgeon Floral de Clou de Girofle, Bouton Floral de Clou de Girofle, Caryophylli Flos, Clavo de Olor, Clous de Girolfe, Ding Xiang, Feuille de Clou de Girofle, Fleur de Clou de Girofle, Flores Caryophylli, Gewurznelken Nagelein, Girofle, Giroflier, Huile de Clou de Girofle, Kreteks, Lavang, Lavanga, or Tige de Clou de Girofle.

Clove is a common flavoring agent in foods and beverages, and is used as a flavoring or fragrance in other products such as toothpaste, soaps, and cosmetics. When used as a food product, clove is not likely to produce health benefits or side effects. When used as a medicinal product, clove may produce both desired and unwanted effects on the body.

Clove has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating premature ejaculation, when it is combined with other ingredients and applied to the outer skin of the penis before sexual intercourse. Clove may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included tooth pain, "dry socket" after oral surgery, mouth or throat irritation, cough, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and other conditions.

It is not certain whether clove is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Clove should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Clove is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Clove may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

You should not use this product if you are allergic to clove.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take clove by mouth or use it on the skin if you have:

• liver disease;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
• a weak immune system; or
• plant or food allergies.

The use of clove as a flavoring agent in foods is considered safe during pregnancy. However, it is not known whether clove used as medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether clove passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Clove oil taken by mouth can cause liver damage, seizure (convulsions), or other serious side effects in children.

Clove has historically been used for its antiseptic and analgesic effects. Clove and clove oils are used safely in foods, beverages, and toothpastes. Clove oil cream has been used in the treatment of anal fissures and an extract has exhibited aphrodisiac action in rats; however, there are limited studies supporting clinical applications for clove oil.

None well documented.

Contact dermatitis has been noted.

Clove buds yield approximately 15% to 20% of a volatile oil that is responsible for the characteristic aroma and flavor. The stems yield approximately 5% of the oil, and the leaves yield approximately 2%. In addition, the bud contains a tannin complex, gum and resin, and a number of glucosides of sterols.

The principal constituents of distilled clove bud oil (60% to 90%) are the phenylpropanoids, including primarily eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) and carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde. The oil also contains approximately 10% acetyleugenol and small quantities of gallic acid, sesquiterpenes, furfural, vanillin, and methyl-n-amyl ketone. Other constituents include flavonoids, carbohydrates, lipids, oleanolic acid, rhamnetin, and vitamins. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 Essential oil of the leaf has also been described, similarly containing eugenol, caryophyllene, humulene, and eugenyl acetate. 8 Flavonoid triglycosides have been identified in the seeds, and rapid high-performance chromatographic techniques have been developed for determining phenolic acid content. 9 , 10

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