Oil of cloves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oil of cloves, also known as 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 home remedy 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 |
[edit] Oral use
Oil of cloves is known best for its anaesthetic properties. It is widely reported to be effective, and prior to the availability of safe, approved topical anaesthetic drugs, was used by some dentists.
Clove oil is often used to releive pain caused by dry socket, a possible complication of wisdom tooth extraction.
Clove oil has an unpleasant taste, so it is advised to prevent the oil from touching the tongue.
It is considered safe in very small quantities (<1500 p.p.m.) as a food additive. [1] However, clove oil is highly toxic to human cells at relatively low (.03% v/v) concentrations. [2] It is unapproved for any topical or oral use in the United States. If ingested in sufficient quantity or injected, it has been shown to cause life-threatening complications, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Fulminant Hepatic (Liver) Failure, and Central Nervous System Depression. [3][4][5][6]
[edit] Topical use
When applied to stop a toothache, it is best done with a cotton ear bud, applied directly to the side of the tooth, or directly on to the tooth, on the instance if a hole is present. As to allow for the oil to absorb into the affected area.
[edit] Other uses
It is also used for anesthetizing fish.
Clove oil is also used in an all natural herbicide called "Perfectly Natural Weed & Grass Killer". The clove oil is the only active ingredient, and it is very effective at killing many types of plants.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Bruneton, J (1995). Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Hampshire, U.K.: Intercept Ltd..
- ^ a b Prashar A, Locke IC, Evans CS (2006). "Cytotoxicity of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oil and its major components to human skin cells". Cell Prolif. 39: 241-248.
- ^ Hartnoll G, Moore D, Douek D (1993). "Near fatal ingestion of oil of cloves.". Arch Dis Child 69 (3): 392-393.
- ^ Brown SA, Biggerstaff J, Savidge GF (1992). "Disseminated intravascular coagulation and hepatocellular necrosis due to clove oil.". Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 3 (5): 665-668.
- ^ Lane BW, Ellenhorn MH, Hulbert TV, McCarron M. (1991). "Clove oil ingestion in an infant.". Human Exp Toxicol 10 (4): 291-294.
- ^ Kirsch CM, et al (1990). "Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema due to the intravenous administration of clove oil.". Thorax 45 (3): 235-236.
