Oil of cloves

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Oil of cloves, also Clove oil, is an essential oil from the clove plant. It is a natural analgaesic used primarily in dentistry for its active ingredient eugenol. It can also be purchased in pharmacies over the counter, as a local anaesthetic for dental pain relief, mainly toothache; it is also often found in the aromatherapy section of health food stores. The oil produced by cloves can be used in many things from flavouring medicine to remedies for bronchitis, the common cold, a cough, fever, sore throat and tending to infections. Its country of origin is India.

Contents 1 Oral use 2 Topical use 3 Other uses 4 See also

[edit] Oral use

Oil of cloves is known best for its anaesthetic properties. It works extremely fast and extremely well^{[citation needed]} at relieving pain in the tooth or gum, despite it being recommended not to touch the gum or skin at all. It is sometimes necessary to alleviate the pain. Clove oil is very potent, and if swallowed will not cause any harm,^{[citation needed]} but it will likely cause the user to choke at its taste. Due to its strong flavour, it causes the salivary gland to react quickly and salivate in large amounts. It may be wise to insert it into the mouth over a sink or toilet as swallowing the saliva may and likely will taste bad. Due to its potent strength, less than one millilitre is enough to relieve pain.^{[citation needed]} It is applied usually to a small piece of cotton wool or the end of a torn-off rolled-up piece of tissue, and applied around the area of pain. This is not a limit, and it should be used respectivley. However if the tooth has a cavity it may be sufficient to insert the piece of tissue into the cavity and leave it for several seconds. Clove oil is not to be injected.

[edit] Topical use

Clove oil has a warm, spicy, pungent odor. It can irritate skin and mucous membranes, so it is best applied externally in combination with a carrier oil, cream, or lotion.

[edit] Other uses

Oil of cloves is also useful in removing moulds from fabric and/or bathroom surfaces.

[edit] See also

• Dentistry
• Anaesthetic
• Analgaesic
• Toothache
• Medicine
• Aromatherapy