Benefits of clove (laung): oral care, digestion and soothing a scratchy throat
Small but powerful, clove adds warmth to chai, biryani and garam masala. The benefits of clove are mostly linked to eugenol, its aromatic oil, which has numbing and antimicrobial properties — that's why laung is traditionally used for toothache, bad breath, a scratchy throat and after-meal digestion.
Benefits of clove: eugenol and tradition
Eugenol is used in dentistry as a mild anaesthetic and antiseptic. Lab studies show clove extracts have antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Chewing a clove freshens breath, and its warmth may ease throat irritation. However, concentrated clove oil is strong and can burn tissues or be toxic if swallowed, especially in children.
In Ayurveda, lavanga is pungent, slightly bitter and cooling in potency (sheeta virya) despite its heat on the tongue; it is used for kapha-type cough, poor taste and digestion.
Ingredients
- Whole cloves
- Honey, tulsi or warm water depending on use
How to prepare
- Lightly roast 1–2 cloves on a tawa for a throat remedy; use whole cloves for chewing.
How to use
- Toothache: hold a whole clove near the sore tooth for a few minutes until you can see a dentist.
- Bad breath: chew one clove slowly after meals.
- Scratchy throat: suck on a lightly roasted clove, or add 2 cloves to kadha or chai.
- Digestion: a pinch of clove powder in food or garam masala.
Helpful habits
- 1–2 cloves a day is plenty.
- Buy whole cloves with an oily feel and strong aroma.
- Use clove oil only diluted and externally, on advice.
Precautions
- Never give clove oil by mouth to children — it can be poisonous. Don't give whole cloves to young children (choking risk).
- In pregnancy, culinary amounts are fine; avoid clove oil or supplements.
- Eugenol may slow blood clotting — avoid supplements if you take blood thinners or before surgery.
- Clove eases pain temporarily but doesn't fix a cavity — see a dentist for toothache, swelling or fever.
Frequently asked questions
Is it good to chew clove daily?
- Chewing one clove a day is generally safe and freshens breath. Don't overdo it.
Does clove help toothache?
- Its eugenol may temporarily numb pain, but you still need a dentist.
Is clove good for sore throat?
- Sucking a lightly roasted clove or drinking clove tea is traditionally used to soothe a scratchy throat.
