Healing With Spice: 9 Clove Tea Benefits You Never Knew About

Many people think the use of cloves is limited to adding a whiff of freshness to their breath or adding flavor to savory and sweet dishes. But the fact is that cloves can be used to make a beautiful, amber-colored concoction, often referred to as clove tea. It is a flavorful and aromatic tea prepared by using the reddish-brown flower buds of the clove tree. Drinking a cup of this tea regularly offers many health benefits. All clove tea benefits are attributed to the immense medicinal properties of this age-old spice.

Clove Tea Benefits: Nutritional Profile Of Cloves

Besides having a rich flavor, cloves are filled with many important nutrients(1). Here is the nutritional profile for your reference:

One teaspoon or 2.1 g of ground cloves contains:

• Calories: 5.75 kcal
• Protein: 0.125 g
• Total Dietary Fiber: 0.712 g
• Carbohydrate: 1.38 g
• Sugars: 0.05 g
• Vitamin K: 2.98 µg
• Vitamin E: 0.185 mg
• Vitamin A: 3.36 IU
• Manganese: 1.26 mg
• Potassium: 21.4 mg
• Magnesium: 5.44 mg
• Iron: 0.248 mg
• Calcium: 13.3 mg

Supporting Health And Wellness

There are several ways this tiny spice can benefit your health. We will cover all of them here.

1. Relieves Pain And Inflammation

Clove tea, like fennel tea, is infused with the spice’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps relieve headaches, dental pain, and gum swelling. Having clove tea is a natural way of getting relief when suffering from one or more of these issues.

2. May Regulate Blood Sugar Level

A few preliminary animal model studies have revealed that cloves may help in lowering blood sugar levels. This is attributed to the presence of a compound called eugenol in cloves. However, elaborate research is required to study the effects of cloves or clove tea on the blood glucose levels of humans.

3. Relieves Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory problems like coughs, colds, and a blocked nose can be effectively dealt with by sipping on warm clove tea once or twice a day. Eugenol, present in the tea, clears up congestion and provides relief.  

4. May Protect Against Cancer

Researchers have been evaluating the anti-cancer properties of cloves for quite some time(2), and the outcomes of these studies suggest that cloves are quite promising sources that could be used to create anti-cancer agents. If successful, cancer treatments may have fewer side effects than they usually have.

5. Relieves Digestive Issues

Indulging in a heavy meal often comes with digestive issues like indigestion and bloating. To nip these problems in the bud, it is advised to consume clove tea after a meal. The soothing compounds in the tea promote the secretion of digestive enzymes, which helps improve digestion and relieve heartburn, gas and bloating.

6. Improves Oral Health

Consuming clove tea regularly can improve a person’s oral health. Besides acting as a pain reliever for toothaches, the antimicrobial properties of clove tea promote gum health by keeping a check on bacteria associated with gum disease. It also serves as a breath freshener and eliminates the problem of bad breath.

7. Lowers Stress Levels

Enjoying a cup of tea is one of the biggest stress busters, and clove tea is no different. The calming aroma of the tea soothes the nervous system and eases stress in the body. It lowers anxiety and tiredness and promotes relaxation on days when you feel on the edge.

8. Reduces The Risk Of Chronic Diseases

Oxidative stress is one of the reasons for the development of chronic diseases. As clove tea is an antioxidant-rich elixir, it helps lower oxidative stress in the body and improves the overall health of an individual.  

9. Fights Off Infections

Infections are part and parcel of life. Thankfully, clove tea can come to the rescue to fight infections due to a variety of microbes. Its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties defend the body against these pesky germs to maintain good health and vitality.

How Do You Make Clove Tea?

Making clove tea is very simple. You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to make yourself a cup of this warm, refreshing beverage. Below is a quick clove tea recipe for you to follow:

Ingredients:

• Cloves – 3–4
• Water – 1 cup

Method:

• Add one cup of water and 3–4 cloves in a small pan.
• Place it on the burner and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Now turn down the flame and let it simmer for five minutes.
• Turn off the burner and strain the liquid into a teacup.
• Add a hint of lemon or a teaspoon of honey to it for added flavor.
• Enjoy!

What Is The Best Time To Take Clove Tea?

If you want to derive most of the clove tea benefits, it is recommended to drink it in the morning. Prepare it as per the given clove tea recipe and consume the beverage to feel refreshed and energized.

If you want to derive most of the clove tea benefits, it is recommended to drink it in the morning.

But be mindful of how much clove tea you’re consuming. Don’t consume more than a cup at a time, and don’t go overboard with the number of cloves you add to the water. A strong concoction will do more harm than good.

How Much Clove Tea Is Safe?

Having a cup or two of clove tea during the day is usually safe for most people. However, individuals with diabetes and other medical conditions must consult their healthcare providers to determine the quantity of clove tea they can consume safely without any undesired implications.

Does Clove Tea Help With Weight Loss?

Many health enthusiasts vouch for clove tea for weight loss and suggest drinking it first thing in the morning. But how does it support weight loss in individuals? Generally, weight gain is often accompanied by a slow metabolism. When a person consumes clove tea regularly, it boosts their metabolism and promotes weight loss when combined with the right diet and exercise.

Who Should Not Drink Clove Tea?

While clove tea is normally safe to consume, there are a few groups of individuals who must avoid drinking it. They are:

• Children

As oral consumption of clove oil is linked to side effects like liver damage, seizures, etc., it is better not to give clove tea to kids unless advised by their pediatrician.

• Pregnant Or Breastfeeding Mothers

Using small quantities of cloves as a flavoring agent is generally okay for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. However, regular use of this spice in the form of tea is not recommended because not enough research is available to establish how safe it is for these women.

• People With Bleeding Disorders

Although eugenol is the compound responsible for the many clove tea benefits, it may slow down the process of blood clotting. Hence, individuals with bleeding disorders should stay away from clove tea.

• Individuals Undergoing Surgery

Clove tea may disturb blood sugar levels and suppress blood clotting during and after surgery. Stopping consumption of cloves in any form at least two weeks prior to the surgery can help mitigate these problems.

• People With Clove Allergy

People who know they are allergic to cloves must not drink clove tea, irrespective of the benefits it provides.

Can Diabetics Drink Clove Tea?

Clove tea may help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels. A study revealed that taking 1-2 cloves per day can improve diabetic risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes and regulate glucose levels in the body. 

So, yes, diabetics can drink clove tea, but only after their doctor has given them a green signal.

The reason why it is important to talk to your doctor before you start a regular intake of clove tea is that people receiving diabetes medication may experience hypoglycemia (very low levels of blood glucose) due to the cumulative effect of clove tea and medication on blood sugar. This can be quite dangerous if not treated promptly.

Potential Side Effects Of Clove Tea

Clove is a staple spice in many households, and brewing a cup of clove tea is just a matter of a few minutes. But that does not mean that clove tea is completely safe and has no side effects. If you consume excess clove tea without sticking to the standard limit of 1–2 cups per day, you may experience the following clove tea side effects:

Allergic Reaction

Those allergic to clove may develop hives, itchy rashes, and swelling after drinking clove tea.

Low Blood Sugar Level

The ability of clove tea to regulate blood glucose levels can lower sugar levels in the body, especially in people on diabetes medications.

Elevated Risk Of Bleeding

Most people don’t have to worry about this side effect, but those on anticoagulant medications need to be cautious because clove tea is a natural blood thinner due to the presence of eugenol and may elevate the risk of bleeding in these individuals.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Too much clove tea is harmful and may cause gastric issues like sulfur burps, heartburn, an upset stomach, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Concluding Thoughts

Cloves have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments. While most people use cloves in cooking, not many know they can make a delicious tea out of them. Sipping on a warm cup of clove tea is a great way to enjoy the flavors of this spice and reap its health benefits. So, the next time you catch a cough or a cold or feel anxious or stressed out, make yourself this therapeutic concoction and set yourself on the path to recovery!

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